Kershaw Brilliant, Loney Patient

13 strikeouts! Wow, Kershaw was unbelievable against the Giants Wednesday night. You've gotta love SF's lackluster offense, but Billingsley and Kershaw really stepped up and dominated this series.

Those two make for quite an imposing 1-2 punch. Let's see if they can keep it up against the better offenses in the league.

On another note, James Loney walked with the bases loaded in the 1st inning and then again in the 9th inning. I have to give him credit, his patience really paid off. A walk is as good as a hit, and it's good to see a young hitter stay within himself in a big spot.

Can't wait to watch more Dodger baseball, this is about as good as it gets for me. Thanks to Logan White, the Dodgers have as much young talent as any team in baseball.

Kershaw Goes For The W

The last time we saw Clayton Kershaw he was well on his way to earning his first victory of the season. However, a faulty bullpen in the eighth inning saw victory slip through his grasp.

Today, a redemption effort, courtesy of dodgers.com...

Matt Cain, San Francisco Giants (1-0, 1.29)

Coming off a 7-1 victory in his 2009 debut against Milwaukee, Cain will try to beat the Dodgers for the first time. Cain, who allowed just four hits and one run over seven innings against the Brewers, is 0-6 in 11 career starts against the Dodgers. He was 0-3 last season when, typically, he suffered some hard-luck losses. In six starts against the Dodgers in 2008, the power-pitching Cain posted a 2.79 ERA. The Dodgers hit just .257 against him. His final two starts of the year came against the Dodgers. He pitched a combined 13 innings and allowed two earned runs but came away with a no-decision and a loss.

Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers (0-0, 1.80 ERA)

In his first start of the year, Kershaw pumped fastballs and the occasional change-up for three innings against the Padres before making the adjustment that found his curveball. By then his pitch count was so high he had to leave after only five innings, having thrown 105 pitches. He allowed one run on two hits, but walked four while striking out six.

More On Vinny

I don't mean to saturate the market but there is a nice piece about Vin Scully, courtesy of Diane Pucin at the Los Angeles Times. The words from Bob Costas at the conclusion of the piece rang true...

Bob Costas was speaking on a conference call Monday morning to promote the MLB Network's Thursday night broadcast, the home opener at the new Yankee Stadium. Costas is returning to the baseball broadcast booth for the first time in nine years, and while talking about the death of Kalas, described Scully.

"Vin has the unbelievable combination of special skill with a distinctive style. Combined with all those generational memories is something we'll never see again," Costas said. "Circumstances will never allow for it again."

It is not uncommon to see 3, 4, or sometimes for pre-game shows, 5 talking heads spewing information our way. Most of us take it for granted that we've had the luxury of listening to one person that calls it like he sees it, and who very rarely injects his opinions into the game. Hard to believe that a network, or organization, would have the courage and trust to turn the reigns over to a single individual as the Dodgers did decades ago.

Dodgers Jump On Johnson's Balls

I've got no right to make fun of a 295 game winner, but perhaps Randy Johnson should have taken notes on how to throw strikes from this guy...


As Vin once said twenty-one years ago, "not a bad opening act."

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You just never what you are going to see during a baseball game, and those in attendance at yesterday's game were witness to something never done before...

Orlando Hudson wasted no time making history with the Dodgers.

In his first home game of the season, the second baseman hit for the cycle Monday against the Giants to become the first Dodgers player to hit for the cycle since Wes Parker did it on May 7, 1970, at Shea Stadium.

"It was a great day. Thirty-nine years ago, I wasn't even around," said Hudson, 31. "It feels great to be a part of it."

It was also the first time a Dodgers player had hit for the cycle at Dodger Stadium.

I keep waiting for the wrist injury to flare up, but so far Orlando Hudson has been nothing short of amazing.

Also, it was the first time that Randy Johnson has ever lost a game at Dodger Stadium.

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An off-day today, but stay on the lookout for SOSG's first off-day puzzle of 2009.

You Know What I Hate

When people at work tell me the score of the Dodger game, even after I sent out this mass email to my entire office the other day...

Another Dodger season is upon us, one that I have waited for since October of last season.

Laugh at me all you want but I take the Dodgers pretty seriously. I've often stated, much to the dismay of my lady, that my favorite thing in the world is watching the Dodgers. Thus, I would appreciate it if you would not pass along any scores, suggestive texts, and the like until the next day. I don't always get a chance to watch the games as they are happening, and wouldn't want to deprive myself of the joy of watching The Blue each night.

Thank you for your understanding. Go Dodgers.

Thanks a lot, Luis. See if I stop by your office when I leave for work anymore.

Pitches and Pitchers

This is cool...

Hall of Fame broadcaster Vin Scully will throw out the ceremonial first pitch in Monday's Dodgers home opener against the Giants at Dodger Stadium.

He probably won't take the mound, but I bet he throws a strike.

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Your home opener pitchers, courtesy of dodgers.com...

Randy Johnson, San Francisco Giants (0-1, 7.20 ERA)

The Big Unit thrived at the outset of his San Francisco regular-season debut last Wednesday, striking out two batters in each of the first three innings. Johnson finished with seven strikeouts in five innings, but he also finished with a loss as the opposing pitcher, Milwaukee's Yovani Galllardo, belted a three-run homer. Johnson remains five wins away from becoming the 24th pitcher in history to win 300 games. He has never lost at Dodger Stadium, where he's 7-0 in 11 outings with a 2.04 ERA.


Chad Billingsley, Los Angeles Dodgers (1-0, 3.00 ERA)

Billingsley showed no negative effects from his playoff debacle against Philly, the broken leg he suffered in the winter or the strained groin from the Spring. Five of his six innings against San Diego were scoreless, the only blemish a two-run hitless fifth inning when he suddenly couldn't throw a strike and walked three consecutive batters. He takes the ball for the home opener against the Giants and Randy Johnson. He had a 2.08 ERA against the Giants in four starts last year.

Harry Kalas passes

As i'm getting ready to post an upbeat column about the Dodgers' home opener today, i just can't. I just came across the news that Harry Kalas, the legendary Phillies broadcaster and voice over specialist for NFL Films, has passed away at age 73.

He was found unconscious in the visitor's broadcast booth in Washington DC where he had been prepping for the Phillies / Nationals game at around 12:30pm EST today.

Coincidentally, ROB founder, Brandon Wahl, had just sent me a message this morning that Vin Scully will be throwing out the first pitch at Dodger Stadium today for the home opener. I'm sure that event will carry a much different tone than originally intended in light of the recent news of Harry's passing. I sincerely hope that Phillies fans tune in to catch Vin's take on Kalas. Someone like Kalas comes along only once in a lifetime, and by nature of his talent, does not have many peers.

I didn't get a chance to hear much of Kalas througout his career, but i can only imagine what it's like to lose such a legend. We here in Los Angeles are blessed to hear Mr. Scully every season, and i can only hope he is never taken for granted.

Harry Kalas (1936-2009)

Back From The Road

(Note: Ending our six week long road trip at Baseball Digest, we return to Reflections of Blue fresh off a Dodgers series victory in Arizona. We've been gone awhile, and it feels good to be home.)

When I was younger, maybe 10 years old, my Dad loaded up the car and took my brother and I on our first baseball road trip. My old man was offered tickets for the Oakland Athletics as they played host to the New York Yankees. Being a sports fan with two sons in the middle of summer vacation, I imagined my Dad figured what the heck and made the multiple hour drive to watch two teams none of us had any interest in. It wasn’t the first baseball game I had ever been to, but it was the first time I had ever driven a considerable distance for a sporting event.

I couldn’t tell you anything more than few brief remembrances of that game (Dennis Eckersley striking out the side for a save, and Mark McGwire tossing a baseball to me, and then one to my brother a few innings later) but it will forever be remembered as my first baseball road trip with the guys.

Fifteen years later my friends and I packed the car and headed out to Arizona to watch the Dodgers take on the Arizona Diamondbacks. No thanks to bad local knowledge we actually arrived one inning late, but still managed to settle in quite nicely.

In contrast to Dodger Stadium, Chase Field is completely modernized with carpeting in the walkways, a very nice scoreboard in center field, and even a hot tub box for those willing to pay accordingly. Although we didn’t take advantage, being in possession of a ticket granted you access to all areas of the park, not just the level your ticket reflected. Those of you that aren’t Dodger fans might not find that surprising, but alas, those are the rules at The Ravine..

The large courtyard areas outside the stadium were filled with restaurants and bars making it the perfect place to enjoy the company of others before and after the game. Early renderings of “The Next 50” project for Dodger Stadium have shown similar ideas that should prove a nice addition to our beloved home, if indeed those ideas come to fruition.

Concerns regarding the emergency start required by Eric Stults, and the lack of runs by the Dodgers offense to start the season, had us worried that our journey would be met with defeat; however, 11 runs later the trip was officially dubbed a success. The joy from the victory remained the rest of the weekend, and further extended itself with a 3-1 victory over Dan Harren on Sunday afternoon. It’s amazing how quick a six hour drive elapses when Vin Scully is providing the soundtrack.

Fifteen years from now I doubt I’ll remember the final outcome of the game, or how embarrassing Juan Pierre’s arm was, but I’ll remember the Arizona speed cameras, the crazy girl in the red shirt dancing to “Baby Got Back” outside of Chase Field, the lack of female companions, and driving on the wrong side of the road after a late night/ early morning Chipotle meal. The details of the game, and even the game itself, will slowly fade into obscurity, and will be supplanted with the memories of a weekend with the guys. And in the end, isn’t that what baseball road trips are all about?

Reflections Of Blue Opts Out, Defers To Baseball Digest

REFLECTIONS OF BLUE CAN NOW BE FOUND AT BASEBALL DIGEST.

Reflections of Blue, in its short lifespan, has granted us comfort and solace in our beloved Dodgers. Though just an infant in the world of Dodger blogs, we felt that we were destined to grow and find out our true identity. Perhaps though, our identity lies elsewhere.

Today we pick up and move to Baseball Digest to join them for the launch of their new website. Reflections of Blue is not ending, but simply living someplace else for the time being. We don't know what the future holds there, but we are curious to find out.

We created Reflections of Blue for our own amusement; however, along the way we’ve noticed an increasing number of readers beyond anything we could ever have imagined. Our sincerest thanks go out to you dear readers, for without your support we’d be talking to ourselves. We hope that you follow us to our new home, and continue in our journey of reflecting on the blue.

Why Is Casey Blake In My Office?

In the spirit of confusion surrounding our dread-locked hero, I'll leave you with another puzzler for the weekend. Why is Casey Blake in my office?

I Was Right, Dodgers Are Wrong

It is about the money. However, not in the way I was thinking. From Scott Boras:

"We exchanged three proposals over the last 10 days," Boras said in an interview with MLB.com early Friday morning. "We made a recent proposal [Thursday night] as I learned the Dodgers stated they'd offered two years at $45 million. I wanted to let them know that we would be accepting that offer in the structure that I'd heard of."

"We are continuing to work within the scope of the parameters established during our discussion Wednesday afternoon at Dodger Stadium, which included a two-year term and ability for the player to void the contract after the first year," Boras said in the e-mail message sent to media members.

"Per that face to face meeting, we agreed to continue to have discussions until Friday at noon, which included our two proposals today, our most recent at two-years, $45 million. We are waiting to hear their response."

Great! Boras even let the Dodgers know that "we would be accepting." Then it gets reported that the Dodgers wanted to defer most of the money that was owed to Manny in 2008, possibly paying him as little as $10 million.

When asked on Thursday whether the $25 million for the coming season would make Ramirez the second highest paid player in baseball behind Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez, Colletti simply said, "yes."

Technically, that's correct. In actuality, though, the deal as structured by the Dodgers would pay Ramirez $10 million in actual cash for 2009 with the remaining $15 million deferred, according to the source.

How stupid can the Dodgers get? They stuck to their guns in both monetary and yearly limits, got Boras to agree with them on those terms, and then pulled this crap! Don't "start from scratch" you idiots. Sack up and give the man his due. Sell one of your beach houses if you have too Franky. I can't twist in the wind much longer.

Show Manny The Money

Another day, another Manny Ramirez rejection...

Via a letter sent to the Dodgers from his agent, Scott Boras, Manny Ramirez rejected the club's latest offer on Thursday.

"We love Manny Ramirez and we want Manny back, but we feel we are negotiating against ourselves," said Dodgers owner Frank McCourt.

"So now, we start from scratch."

Manny Ramirez can't be so naive to think a four year contract from a mystery team is waiting in the wings. Therefore, it's gotta be about the money.

The Dodgers have been pretty firm in limiting their monetary offer; however, it appears that it's going to take a bit more cash to get this deal done. While it's easy for me to say the Dodgers should simply increase their offer by $10 million, logical thinking kicks back and shouts not to give into temptation.

In the end however, the Dodgers have a serious chance of making a World Series run. If it takes a few extra million to get there, so be it.

This One Is For Nat

I had lunch today with fellow ROB'er Nat, and he took the liberty of teasing me several times about posting during work hours. So, here you go buddy, some recent Dodger news to get you through the afternoon...

• Andre Ethier was struck by a batting practice ball and now has a sore heel. Nothing major here, but isn't that one of the first things you are told when you start going on the field for BP. Watch out!

• Casey Blake complained of a sore groin after playing in today's game. "He can do everything but run," says Torre.

• Manny Ramirez will let the Dodgers know today or tomorrow if he plans to accept or decline their latest offer.

There you go pal. Enjoy.

Mama Mia, Here We Go Again!

Not sure if you heard the news, but the Dodgers brought out the big guns and offered Manny Ramirez…the same contract as before. However, this one comes with a possible punch to the gut.

MLB.com has learned that in the 2 1/2-hour meeting, the Dodgers officials offered Ramirez a variation of their original two-year deal, guaranteeing $45 million for two years ($25 million the first year and $20 million the second).

However, the third-year option of $15 million from the first proposal was dropped and, at Boras' request, the second year is a player option so Ramirez could become a free agent again after the 2009 season.

Having offered both a one year and two year deal previously this allows the Dodgers to limit their commitment while allowing Manny to score one more giant contract should he (and by he, I mean Boras) so choose. The contract also addresses the issue of Manny rolling over on his team as he now must be on his best behavior should he decide to test the waters again next year. I find it doubtful that a professional athlete would purposely dog it without extraneous circumstances working against him, but those thoughts have probably crossed the mind of the Dodgers once or twice. On the surface, it appears to be a win/ win for the front office.

But I’m not a part of the front office.

I’m thrilled that Ramirez appears to be getting closer to Dodger Stadium, but after all the drama, the back and forth, and the uncertainty, wouldn’t it be nice to keep him around longer than a single year? After all, you don’t remodel the house only to sell it shortly after. I love Manny Ramirez more than I can explain, which is why it's going to hurt so much to say goodbye so soon.

When Ramirez lights the NL on fire in 2009, we’ll be waiving goodbye to Mannywood in 2010. Ramirez will have set himself up for a final payday, a day that was never going to come with the Dodgers. He’ll (again, Boras) bide his time in the Ravine until the economy recovers, players get injured, and another team comes calling. And when they do, Ramirez will hang up on the Dodgers so quickly we’ll be staring at Juan Pierre in left field before we know what hit us. And that, my friends, will be the worst stomach punch around.

Manny offer #4

The dance continues as Ned Coletti and Scott Boras reportedly met today to discuss Mr. Ramirez. Here are the details as documented from Ken Gurnick...

• 2-year deal guaranteeing $45 million for two years ($25 million the first year and $20 million the second).
• Escape clause after the first year was added at Boras' request so Ramirez could become a free agent again after the 2009 season.

This could provoke a signing soon, however it could mean seeing Manny in Dodger Blue for as little as half a season. If he has an out-clause after the '09 season, he could conceivably be moved at the trade deadline.

This whole situation reminds me of the end of "Back to the Future" when Marty pulls out a photo of his siblings and is overwhelmed with emotion to see them become more and more clear. The vision of Manny returning to the Ravine is becoming more and more clear. Of course, Marty had to deliver a knock-out blow to Biff and perform "Earth Angel" and "Johnny B. Goode" with a severely bloodied hand, as well as almost kiss his mother while he "parked", while Coletti only has to deal with Boras. Ok, kind of a stretch, but you get the idea.

This Must Be A Good Sign

Previously, in spring trainings past, Jason Schmidt has claimed to feel "fine out there" when clearly he wasn't. However, here is what he had to say after tossing one (not even a big one, just 11 pitches) inning...

"It felt like I had thrown five innings. It was a little sore in an area where it should be sore. It's a good thing I'm not throwing a bullpen today. Overall, I'd say it came out good. I mean, I don't need a cortisone shot, so that's good, right?"

History has taught us that whatever Jason Schmidt says, we can bet on the opposite. Therefore, all must be good to go!

Breaking Out

A recent Baseball Prospectus piece has Clayton Kershaw ranked fairly high in regards to breakout potential for 2009. From the article:

Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers (157 IP, 4.35 EqERA, 23% Breakout Rate)

Drafted one pick behind Miller, Kershaw ranked fifth on last year's prospect list, and dazzled observers in spring training -- all before celebrating his 20^th birthday. Recalled in May, he scuffled in his first major league stint before undertaking a Double-A refresher course. Upon returning, the young southpaw exhibited much-improved control (67/28 K/BB ratio in 69 innings) and impressive poise, finishing with a respectable 4.26 ERA that would have been considerably lower with average defensive support. Only the speed of his ascent curbs PECOTA's optimism for him to maintain or better last year's level, since his baseline includes relatively high translated ERAs from his low minors work.

Kershaw was hyped so much last season that his starts were monitored closer by the media and the baseball community than that of say Derek Lowe's. Despite some early first half struggles Kershaw settled down and improved his ERA, K's, BB's, and WHIP during the back end of the season.

The lofty comparisons will continue to follow Kershaw until he makes the leap, or falls flat on his face. Some have been quick to anoint this kid as the next Koufax, and while that is simply impossible, monitoring Kershaw's development and poise over the course of an entire season is something to look forward to. Let's hope his desire to "dominate at ping-pong" has him skunking batters all season long.

Please Call It A Comeback

We've been quick to rip Jason Schmidt here at Reflections of Blue; however, with Schmidt set to take the mount today for an intra-squad game, we'll lay off the criticism and hold our collective breaths.

It's no secret that the current rotation is full of questions marks. And while Schmidt only brings more of them, there remains the faint possibility he could transform into an exclamation point for the Dodgers. Expecting 10+ wins might be on the lofty side, but a record of 8-5 would be a pleasant surprise in the eyes of many. While it has been almost two years since Schmidt threw a pitch in the major leagues, perhaps it's like riding that proverbial bike. Dodger fans need something more to remember him by that his home run off Jeff Francis back in 2007.

Though I personally carry no belief that Jason Schmidt will be beneficial to the Blue in 2009, I hold the sincerest hope that my assumptions prove to be mistaken.

Keep Cool My Babies

With a final string dance and a releasing of Abe Vigoda, Conan O'Brien said goodbye to "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" after 16 years. For the last eight of those years Conan has claimed the number 2 spot in my television lineup, falling just short of Dodger baseball. Seldom a night passed that I was not eased into slumber by Conan, Max, the Walker Texas Ranger Lever, and sometimes the Masturbating Bear.

While Conan will be taking over "The Tonight Show" starting June 1st, part of me knows the magic of those 12:35am shows will never survive the journey to Los Angeles. There will forever be a void in my "late nights."

So long Desk Rides, In The Year 2000, Horny Manatee, and Pimpbot 5000. You guys kept me laughing late into the night. Lets reflect on Conan over some hot chocolate and whipped cream.

We'll Pass On This Orlando Too

UPDATE 2: $3.4 MILLION IN BASE SALARY PLUS $4.6 MILLION IN INCENTIVES FOR HUDSON? THAT'S WAY TOO MUCH.

UPDATE: WELL, THE DODGERS APPEAR TO HAVE SIGNED ORLANDO HUDSON. WHATEVER.

Instead of loading up on pitchers (and no, Jeff Weaver doesn’t count) Ned Colletti seems determined to field a squad entirely made up of second baseman. Though the Dodgers already have Blake DeWitt and Mark Lorretta, Colletti has been courting both Orlando Hudson and Orlando Cabrera. From the article:

The Dodgers, apparently uncertain they can work a deal for second baseman Orlando Hudson, have also begun talks with free-agent infielder Orlando Cabrera.

Cabrera, a two-time Gold Glove shortstop, told the club he would be willing to move to second base, where Blake DeWitt came to camp as the heir apparent to the retired Jeff Kent.

The Dodgers appear determined to land one of them to improve their offense and defense, even while continuing talks to sign free-agent outfielder Manny Ramirez.

Improve their offense? Really? Below are Cabrera’s numbers for 2008.

Cabrera: 661 AB’s/ .334 OBP/ 8 HR’s/ 57 RBI’s/ 84 OPS+

Yikes! It took over 660 at bats for Cabrera to equal the offensive output that Blake DeWitt posted in only 368 at bats. In fact, if you neutralize the plate appearances to 500 for each of the four players above you get the following:

Cabrera: 6 HR’s/ 43 RBI’s
Hudson: 10 HR’s/ 50 RBI’s
Loretta: 8 HR’s/ 72 RBI’s
DeWitt: 12 HR’s/ 70 RBI’s

How exactly does a team improve their offense by signing lesser offensive caliber players than they already possess? Is anyone at Dodger Stadium running the numbers? We know that the Dodgers have “a little payroll flexibility,” and that Colletti is “big on inventory,” but does a car dealership stockpile 1995 Chevy Saturns when there is a Ferrari available?