Rise And Shine, It's Dodger Baseball Time

Your marquee matchup, courtesy of dodgers.com...

Chad Billingsley, Los Angeles Dodgers (5-1, 2.45 ERA)

Billingsley gets his rematch with the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park, seven months after his playoff debacle. In his last start, he took his first loss by allowing the Giants three runs in seven innings, after five innings of a scoreless duel with Barry Zito. Billingsley wasn't as sharp as he was in most of his five wins, as the Giants had baserunners in all but one inning with eight hits and four walks. The Giants scored on two sacrifice flies and an infield single.

Cole Hamels, Philadelphia Phillies (1-2, 6.17 ERA)

The last time Hamels faced the Dodgers, he picked up the win in Game 5 of the National League Championship Series, earning MVP honors in the process. Hamels has had rotten luck this season, but pitched well and without incident Friday against the Braves, allowing just three hits and two runs in six innings to pick up his first win of the season. The Phillies are hoping it is the jump start Hamels needed to a better 2009.

Bills needs to win this one, and get the media off his back for last October. He was very good all of last season, and has looked exceptionally well to start 2009; however, he can't seem to escape what happened in Philadelphia over seven months ago. A win here would go a long way.

Taking Notes Jayson Werth?

Now THAT'S how to stick it to your former team. From Joseph Santoliquito...

Dodgers left-hander Randy Wolf was masterful in holding the Phillies to three hits in Wednesday's 9-2 victory before 45,273 at Citizens Bank Park.

The win snapped the Dodgers' two-game skid and the seven-game losing streak they had at Citizens Bank Park against the Phillies, dating back to Aug. 23, 2007.

Wolf, meanwhile, mowed down the Phils, making just one mistake -- a second-inning solo homer by Jimmy Rollins. Wolf also yielded two doubles to Carlos Ruiz. Otherwise, he had arguably his best start of the season, going six innings, giving up three hits and striking out eight. Wolf, who threw a season-high 113 pitches, never allowed more than one baserunner in any of his six innings.

Meanwhile, James Loney channeled his inner Wally Moon and rang up his first round tripper of the season to put the Dodgers ahead for good. Congrats to Loney, but, as evident by his head-hanging after making contact, that would have been just another fly out (345 ft.) in most parks. I don't mean to rain on Loney's parade, but lets be honest.

Russell J., you're up.
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In the "Terrible Timing For A Slump" department we turn to Andre Ethier who, since the suspension of Ramirez, is hitting .103 after going 0 for 5 tonight. 27 RBI's in 35 games speaks for itself; however, for someone who many (ok, me) thought would carry the team in Ramirez's absence it's somewhat of a minor letdown.
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Regardless, the Dodgers once again posses the best record in baseball. Don't forget about tomorrow's 10:05AM PST pitching matchup of Chad Billingsley and Cole Hamels. Glad I got the day off from work.

Still Deflated

The first thing I thought about this morning when I woke up was Chan Ho Park. Chan Ho Park! It was funny seeing him in a red uniform; however, it wasn't very entertaining watching the Dodgers struggle against a pitcher whose fastball resides in the 80's, and sports an ERA over 6.00.

If that wasn't bad enough the guy over at Dodger Blues commented about Andruw Jones' success so far this year. Andruw Jones, the player that the Dodgers are paying until 2050, (ok, so 2014) is currently hitting .315 and reaching base at a .479 mark. Not only that, but his OPS (1.071) is higher than any active regular starting Dodger. The one inactive player with a higher OPS? Yup, Manny Ramirez.

Again, the season is long, and while I doubt we've seen the lowest in-game moments, it's outright deflating to watch a former Dodger steal for the cycle.

For a non-Dodger perspective, check out 'Duks Big League Stew. Forgettable indeed.

Deflated

I did something tonight I haven't done in a long time. After Jayson Werth caught the Dodgers napping with his theft of home plate I turned the game off, and tallied an 'L' for our boys in Blue. It was the first time I had written them off this season, and the last since...gulp...Matt Stairs.

When you walk the opposition eight times and subsequently allow six stolen bases while tallying ZERO for yourself in either category...well it's not hard to figure out who's going to be the victor. From Joseph Santoliquito...

Giving up eight walks and six stolen bases doesn't help. Most of the free passes came from starter Clayton Kershaw, who took the loss to fall to 1-3.

At times, the lefty showed good stuff, like setting the Phillies down in order in the second. At other times, he didn't, like serving up a two-strike fastball in the fourth to Raul Ibanez, who slammed it for a two-run double.

"The kid had real good stuff tonight, but he walked [four] guys tonight and these guys will eat you alive with [four] walks," Torre said. "Maybe sometimes you can get away with it, but against giving up walks to good clubs [like the Phillies] is like giving them extra outs."

But mostly, Kershaw stung himself. In the Phils' third, which began with Kershaw issuing walks to Pedro Feliz and Carlos Ruiz, was a portent -- and Kershaw knew it.

"That inning I gave up a run, you can't walk the first two batters, because you're bound to give up some runs," Kershaw said. "I felt good tonight. That is a good-hitting team, but I can't make pitches like the fastball to Ibanez with two strikes on him."

Catcher Russell Martin wasn't getting much help, either. The Phillies had stolen a total of 12 bases this season. They ripped off six against the Dodgers, four alone coming from former Dodgers outfielder Jayson Werth, who stole home in the seventh.

I'm trying to stay patient, trying to remind myself that it's a six month marathon, and trying to forget about Manny Ramirez. No such luck yet.

Minor League Madness

AAA - OF Jason Repko, 28, seems like a man on a mission for the Isotopes. Early in the season he was slugging homeruns but hitting for a low average. Last week Repko started firing on all cylinders tallying up 14 hits in his last 29 AB's, he's also hit safely in every game this month. Repko's season line: .296 AVG, 8 HR, 21 RBI, 11/13 SB, .982 OPS

AAA - 2B/3B Blake DeWitt is also making the most of his time in the PCL. On Friday DeWitt hit his 1st HR of the season. Over the course of the week he posted a 4-hit game, a 3-hit game and 2-hit game. In 13 games this season: .360 AVG, .448 OBP, 1.068 OPS, 8 K/8 BB --- 8 of his 18 hits have gone for extra bases.

AA - 2B/3B Tony Abreu is playing again! In 2 games this week the once promising prospect has 1 hit in 6 AB's. The 24-year-old switch-hitter has battled a flurry of injuries over his brief career, the latest being in the groin area. Let's hope he finally gets back on track.

AA - LHP Scott Elbert has struggled in his brief stints as a reliever in the majors, but right now he is stretching his arm out as a starter for the Lookouts. Here's his line in 4 starts this season and remember that he is still one of the most talented arms in the system: 1-0, 1.42 ERA, 19 IP, 16 H, 7 R, 3 ER, 24 K/7 BB

High-A - RHP Tim Sexton had a fine week. Here's his line from 2 starts: 15 IP, 9 H, 2 ER, 7 K, 4 BB
---Sexton, 22 in June, was drafted in the 25th Rd in 2007. After a promising start to his career in rookie ball, he struggled last season in High-A. He seems to be fairing better against the league so far this year. He is 1-2 with a 2.75 ERA in 36 IP.

High-A - RF Scott Van Slyke is locked in right now. Drafted in the 14th round in 2005, Van Slyke is the son of former All-Star Andy Van Slyke. After struggling with Inland Empire last season the 22-year-old has been spectacular in the league this season. In the month of May he is hitting .489 (22-45), 2 HR, 12 RBI. Here's his line from the season: .379 AVG, 4 HR, 22 RBI, 1.039 OPS, 29 K /5 BB

High-A - CF Trayvon Robinson continues to rack up the hits this season. He posted 6 multi-hit games last week! Here's his season line: .346 AVG, 4 HR, 16 RBI, 24 R, .372 OBP, .931 OPS

A - OF Kyle Russell has been mentioned on this blog before and after hitting 5 HR last week he deserves mention again. Let's note that Russell, a feast or famine hitter, is off to a wonderful start but he is a bit old for the league and will likely be promoted soon. Here is his still impressive line on the season: .330 AVG, 9 HR, 30 RBI, 1.087 OPS, 14 BB / 28 K in 30 games

Where Have You Gone Hong-Chih Kuo?

Our eighth inning bullpen collapses turn their frustrated eyes to you.

Unlike myself, I hope most of you were able to spend Mother's Day with your Mom thus avoiding the 5 hour letdown that was today's Dodger game. With my own Mom being hours away I was saddled with the unfortunate company of Guillermo Mota...

Unfortunately for the Dodgers, however, the ride ended on a low when Guillermo Mota allowed a two-run single to Randy Winn in the 13th inning of the Dodgers' 7-5 loss in front of 37,529 at the stadium.

"We battled," Dodgers manager Joe Torre said. "This game is all about personality and this ballclub wants to win badly. But unfortunately you have to fight your way back from disappointment."

The disappointment came because the Dodgers made a comeback in the 12th to tie the game at 5 with a solo home run by Blake off Giants closer Brian Wilson after Mota allowed a run in the top of the inning.

It was a potentially momentum-changing home run, but the Dodgers weren't able to capitalize and lost the game the next inning.

"The home run was nice because it kept the game alive, but then we lost a tough one," Blake said.

Mota was the culprit in both innings, and it started in the 12th when he allowed Rich Aurilia's sacrifice fly with the bases loaded to give the Giants a one-run lead.

In the 13th, Mota loaded the bases again with one out after Rafael Furcal couldn't get the ball out of his glove on a hit by Steve Holm, and Winn followed with a two-run single down the left-field line for two runs.

The lesson as always...Mom > Guillermo Mota
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Not really related to the bullpen but is there anyone hurting more from the absence of Manny Ramirez than Andre Ethier? Since the Manny Incident, Ethier is 2 for 19 with zero RBI's while stranding 10 men on the base paths.

A Gentle Giant

You've no doubt heard the names of the legendary Dodgers of the 1960's. Koufax. Drysdale. Wills. However, you don't often hear about Frank Howard, 1960 Rookie of the Year and key contributor to the Dodgers success in the first seasons at Dodger Stadium.

In July 1962 he was named the NL Player of the Month after tallying a tremendous 41 RBI's. It was during that month he caught everyone's attention...

Everyone in town is wildly excited over the way Frank Howard has been hitting except the player himself. He's taking it all in stride. He says baseball's a funny game.

"One week you're hot and one week you can't do anything right," Howard says. "I've been swinging a hot bat. I just hope it keeps up. I think playing regularly helps but I can't really explain it. I wish I could. I'm waiting longer and I'm seeing better, I think that has been the biggest factor. But otherwise, I'm not doing anything different."

"A man can worry too much. It isn't good to climb too many vines at a time. Rome wasn't built in a day. It takes several years for a hitter to develop. Baseball is the only game I know of where a guy can fail seven times out of 10 and still be a big man."

A tremendously powerful man, 6ft. 7 in. tall, Howard appears to be going for the fence on every swing.

"That isn't the case at all," he says. "I don't go all out on every swing. That's when you get in trouble. It is the nice, smooth, easy, quick strokes that get the best results."

"The few I've hit real good were when I swung real smooth. It's not how hard you swing, but how quick you are that counts in hitting."

Noted for his tape-measure home runs, Frank says they always come as a surprise to him. "I never know, I just lower my head and run."

Advised that Vin Scully had gone into ecstacies over him on the last Dodger road trip, Howard had a modest answer. "I think he might have been a little prejudiced."

Scully continues to call attention to Howard's "tremendously strong arm," and claims the big fellow is doing everything right, even throwing from the outfield with accuracy. Ever the modest man, Howard responds, "I only wish I had a strong arm. Mine is just average or a little above. It doesn't compare with Mays' or Colavito's. As for accuracy, I just hope to throw in the general direction of where I aim."

In 1962 Frank Howard batted .296, belted 31 home runs, and drove in 119. However, after a drop in production the next two seasons, Howard was traded to Washington. From Wikipedia...

In 1963 his production dropped off to a .273 average, 28 homers and 64 RBI; but the Dodgers won the pennant, and his upper-deck solo home run off Whitey Ford broke a scoreless tie in the fifth inning of Game 4 of the World Series, helping Los Angeles to a 2–1 win and a sweep of the New York Yankees. He again hit over 20 home runs in 1964, and on June 4 his three-run home run in the seventh inning provided all the scoring in Sandy Koufax's third no-hitter, a 3–0 defeat of the Philadelphia Phillies; Howard had also homered for the final run in Koufax's first no-hitter on June 30 two years earlier, a 5–0 win over the New York Mets. But the team's 1962 move into spacious Dodger Stadium did not favor power hitters, and their speedier outfielders Tommy and Willie Davis were seen as more in line with the club's future; Howard's .226 batting average in 1964—combined with regularly high strikeout totals—led to his trade to Washington in a seven-player December deal which brought Claude Osteen to Los Angeles. In 2005 Howard recalled welcoming the trade despite going from a pennant contender to a weak expansion team, noting, "I was essentially a fourth outfielder in L.A., hitting 25 home runs a year in the biggest baseball park in America and doing it on 400 at-bats." He added, "What could I do if I get 550 at-bats?"

What could he do indeed? Howard went on to tally 36, 44, 48, and 44 dingers in his first few years in the nation's capital. A 4 time All-Star, Howard finished in the top 10 in MVP voting 4 times over his career.

Get The Mute Button Ready

Today's Dodgers/ Giants game will be broadcast on FOX, and will be seen by a national audience. Gee, I wonder what the announcers are going to talk about?

Also, it appears Torre will rest Furcal, Martin, and Blake once again. Which means we are throwing out a lineup consisting of Juan Pierre, Juan Castro, Blake DeWitt, and Brad Ausmus. I don't see runs aplenty in the forecast today, only adding further fuel to the fire for the broadcast team.

UGH!

As if the top of the 8th (again!) wasn't cruel enough, it just HAD to be Juan Pierre grounding out with the bases loaded in the bottom of the frame.

Then the top of the 9th.

Then the bottom of the 9th.

Just...ugh!

And to think, here I am agonizing over a single loss, in early May, while still holding a commanding lead in the division. I need help.

The New 'Next 50' Project

Dodger fans got a sucker punch of the cruelest kind today, with the news that Manny Ramirez has tested positive for a banned substance and will be forced to sit out for the next 50 games. While one person doesn't make up a team, a team can certainly be defined by a single individual. That's what Manny Ramirez was to this club. The confidence, the bravado, the calmness that came with failure, and the undeniable clutch factor the team has carried itself with can all be dated back to Ramirez's arrival last summer. The intangibles he brings to the plate (no pun intended) simply don't exist in the, or any, player replacing him.

The Porsche has been towed away, and in it's place now resides a Pinto.

We've lost the Dreadlocks of Doom, and have been left with the Naughtiness of Noodle Arm.

So, what's next? As Doc pointed out in an earlier post, "time to see if the young core can seize the moment and play up to their abilities." Ethier and Kemp already hold their own; however, if the Dodgers hope to even remotely continue their 2009 success then Russell J. Martin and James Loney need to step up RIGHT NOW. Timely pitching would be in order as well, but for the moment the issue is replacing the offensive output that will subsequently decline now that the lineup has lost its golden boy. After all, how do you replace someone who's been getting on base at an astounding .492 clip?

It would be nice to see what Xavier Paul can do, although I'd be surprised if we saw him start in more than a handful of the 50 games. I've yet to read anyone that doubts him; however, I don't think Torre has the courage to write him in enough times to truly gauge his value.

The bottom line is Manny F 'ed this one up pretty bad, and it's up to the team to pick him up. Might an unsung hero fill the void? Only time will tell.

Now About That Doctor...

While out picking up my Mother's Day card on my way into work I was greeted with this text from a friend, "Sad news about Manny." My first reaction was the hamstring. Boy was I wrong.

Really, I'm at a loss for words. All the air has been let out of my balloon. Until I can gather my thoughts...

Manny Suspended 50 Games

By Ken Gurnick / MLB.com

LOS ANGELES -- Major League Baseball suspended Dodgers outfielder Manny Ramirez for 50 games on Thursday for use of performance enhancing drugs.
Major League Baseball made an official announcement shortly after noon ET.

Ramirez, who turns 37 on May 30, will begin the suspension with Thursday night's Dodgers-Nationals game. He would be eligible to return around July 3, depending on rainouts.

Ramirez -- an 12-time All-Star who immediately became the face of the Dodgers franchise upon his acquisition last summer -- is the biggest name player to be issued a 50-game suspension under the MLB's more stringent drug policy that was adopted in 2006.

According to the drug policy, a player receives a 50-game suspension for a first positive drug test, a 100-game suspension for a second positive test and a lifetime ban for a third positive test. The suspensions are without pay.

Ramirez re-signed with the Dodgers as a free agent this spring to a two-year contract that was to pay him $25 million.

Ramirez has been a key component in leading the Dodgers to the best record in baseball this year. In 27 games, he is batting .348 with six home runs and 20 RBIs. He is among league leaders in slugging and on-base percentage and has become the biggest drawing card the Dodgers have had since Fernando Valenzuela, even recently having a portion of the left-field box seats rechristened "Mannywood."

Juan Pierre would be the immediate replacement for Ramirez in left field, while the Dodgers are expected to promote rookie Xavier Paul from Triple-A Albuqueruque to replace Ramirez on the active roster.

Ken Gurnick is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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Time to see if the young core can seize the moment and play up to their abilities. I have no doubt in my mind that Xavier Paul should be starting over Juan Pierre in left field.

How will McCourt react to all of this? Will the Dodgers shun him or will they welcome him back to the team after the 50 games? If and when Manny comes back, how much of his previous success will be attributed to the PED's? And will he still produce like he did before the failed test? Obviously his Hall of Fame status is in serious doubt.

Dodger fans can hold out hope that Manny's side of the story will check out.

Oversized and Overjoyed

Upon arriving at the stadium for my first Dodger game of 2009, I took a moment to wander through the merchandise tents located outside the gates. Ever the thrifty shopper my eyes gazed over to the clearance rack and were met with quite the bargain indeed!

There were Dodgers vs. Phillies NLCS shirts, lots of Derek Lowe leftovers, and an assortment of other clearance worthy items. However, this shirt took the cake (literally)...

Further inspection revealed the word "authentic" on the price tag. While I was half expecting the shirt to actually cost $36 million it was indeed offered at the advertised price of just $10. What makes it so authentic you ask? I kid you not..

4X! So many jokes...

Jeff Weaver be damned, this made my day. However, after entering the stadium things just kept getting better. While Orlando Hudson saved the day on more than one occasion Jeff Weaver settled in nicely, after allowing a leadoff double, and held the Diamondbacks to a single run over five innings. The Dodgers notched their twelve season opening victory at home in as many games, tying an all time record previously held solely by the 1911 Tigers.

Say what you want about facing the NL Weak, but 20-8 feels REALLY good. How good? This about sums it up...

On Top, But Still Looking Up

After last night's win against the Dbacks, the Dodgers are boasting the best overall record in baseball. 19 wins, 8 losses, and a 11-game home-winning streak. You would never know it though, judging from the media coverage they've been receiving. I'm wondering if this is just still the west-coast cold shoulder effect that we've accused the media of before, or the fact that LA really hasn't played against serious competition. It could be a combination of both, but for now, I'm containing my excitement over their hot start to '09.

Of course, I'm thrilled to see the Dodgers beating up on the NL West, but it's safe to say that we'll know more about these group of Dodgers after the next few weeks. The Phillies, Marlins, Mets, and Cubs are on tap in this month of May and should really test the toughness of The Blue.

As for now, they go for 12 straight home-wins tonight against the Dbacks. I'm sorry Todd, but Jeff Weaver just might beat out Jason Schmidt for comeback player of the year.

Minor League Madness

AAA - LHP Shawn Estes continues to pitch well for Alberquerque. Last week he turned in 2 quality starts, pitching 12 innings without allowing a run. Estes basically matched what fellow veteran lefty, teammate Eric Milton, did the week before. Here's his line in 5 starts this season: 1-1, 1.80 ERA, 18 K, 6 BB in 25 IP.

AA - RHP Josh Lindblom rebounded from his worse outing of the young season with 2 good showings last week. Here's his line from those starts: 1-0, 10 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 5 K, 0 BB. It appears the promising pitching prospect is back on track.

AA - RHP Jesus Rodriguez is finding success in the bullpen this season. He hasn't allowed an earned run in his last 4 outings totaling 8 innings in the process. At 23, Rodriguez has split time as both a reliever and starter in his career. After a promising 2007, he struggled last year after being promoted to AA. This season he has been an excellent option for Jacksonville. Here's his line: 2-1, 1.04 ERA, 17.1 IP, 17 H, 2 ER, 9 K, 2 BB, 1.56 Groundout/ Flyout ratio.

AA - RF Jamie Hoffmann is swinging a hot bat right now. The 6'3" 205 pound outfielder is 24 years old and in his 2nd full season in AA. In the last week he had 3 multi-hit games including a 5-5 outburst last Tuesday. On the season: .308 AVG, 2 HR, 11 RBI, 21 R, 16 BB, 15 K, .973 OPS (2008: .278 AVG, 10 HR, .745 OPS)

A-Advanced - CF Trayvon Robinson appears to be finally coming into his own. At 21 years old, Robinson is in his 2nd full season playing High-A ball. The switch hitting table-setter has been an extra-base hit machine this year with 3 HR, 8 doubles and 3 triples. On the season he is batting .327 in 24 games. It will be interesting to see if his power continues to develop. He has never hit more than 4 HR in a single season.

A - 2B Jaime Pedroza is off to an excellent start in 2009. In his last 5 games: .591(13-22), 2 HR, 7 RBI. Pedroza is 22 years old and at 5'8" we hope he can be a Dustin Pedroia clone. However, Pedroza is very vulnerable to the strikeout. Here's his line from 2009: .358 AVG, 3 HR, 15 RBI, 6 doubles, 26 K, 13 BB, 6/10 SB in 22 games.

Something To Think About

I was away during the departure of our beloved Tony Jackson, so you'll have to forgive me for not mentioning it here. Plus, it was covered wonderfully elsewhere, so no need to rehash right? However, I read something this morning from Tom Hoffarth of The Daily News that inspired me to comment. The article has some very insightful and kind words in regards to not only the dismissal of Tony Jackson, but the state of newspaper columnists. It's worth a read. Also, there is a really funny picture of Tony Jackson (I'm pretty sure that's him) passed out in the dugout. Thanks to Diamond Notes for the link...

Any thoughts on Tony Jackson? What, the sports media guy not having any thoughts on sports media? Or is it that management said "mums the word?"
-- A comment left by someone named "earteaga31" on a blog posting Friday, which had nothing to do with the post itself.

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And how are you supposed to respond to something like that?
Let me sleep on it another night. Tony would understand.
Another collegue is asked -- told -- to give up a spot on a team that they love playing for, pack up his stuff, and go home. But first, come to HR and sign some paperwork. Then you can leave. Hope that Cobra insurance helps you with all the Prozac you may be needing over the next few months.
Dear emailer: There's nothing holding back the survivors of this pending shipwreck from coming out and expressing more remorse over the fact that the people who we aim to please most -- the readers, especially those who've stuck by us for years and years -- continue to find a product that's just not the same as it was a week, a month or a couple of years ago.
Nor is there anyone telling us not to talk, write or cry about another person on the staff who was let go because ... there are many reasons, they tell us. As if throwing more ballast overboard will keep this life raft from taking on more water.
Our Dodger guy, Tony Jackson, doesn't have to worry about killing himself any more trying to get you information. Those who decide such things have given him freedom to pursue other options.
The most frustrating feeling by those of us employed in the L.A. sports media, as we come to realize there is now only two reporters fulltime on the beat covering the Los Angeles Dodgers -- and one of them works website only, for MLB.com -- is that the reader gets, by far, the short end of this deal.
And we're all the worst for it. OK? Thanks. Now go back to hiding behind your anonymous commenting about the world around you.

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Hey Tom,
Thanks for the mentions. Good things happen to good people. Not that you would know.
P.S. To think they let go of a quality columnist like Steve Dilbeck and kept the likes of you. No wonder the Daily News is on life support.
-- An email from a Southern California media member, whose name was withheld to respect the privacy of the correspondence and the embarassment of the statement, after last February's annual ranking of the best and worst of the L.A. media.

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It gets tougher and tougher, and sadder and sadder, each day to love something that doesn't want to seem to love you back.
Or to even accept emails from those like the ones above without wanting to fire something right back, return the punch. As if it will make things better.
You take a deep breath, scratch your head, consider the source, and move forward.
Or try to, at least.

Those of us left paddling in a circle, as it sometimes feel, feel like our lifejackets keep slipping off our shoulders. We huddle up, as a good team does, and try to figure out how to tie a rope to each other and make survival last a few more weeks. Because no matter when you think that last tidal wave has come, there's another on the horizon.
Meanwhile, don't miss deadline, find something interesting to write about, and get those photo assignments in a timely manner -- granted, if there are photographers left who can work with you on that story.

Our jobs aren't that much different from yours, really. Hopefully, you still have one. If not, we feel your pain, anguish, fears and frustration.
Those of us still working for the sports section are here because we want to be. And we'd have wanted it more if those who we worked with on a regular basis were able to stay as well.

The sports section is very much a team project. We help each other with resources, bounce ideas off each other, argue, agree, argue more, see something that's a great story and try to figure out how, as a group, we can cover it best.
When those pieces of the team continue to leave -- either voluntarily, because it's just too hard to take another punch in the but, or by reason of financial reality -- it makes the team project even tougher to commit to. Team players, whose who are willing to do more than just cover one beat that they were hired to do in the first place, become those asked to stay, for their versatility.
Because, for example, they can copy edit one day, write another, and help try to console departed members the next.

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I'd throw up a few more well-intentioned but much-uninformed emails at this point, very similiar to the ones above, but I'm hoping you get the message by now. This is supposed to be a teaching moment, not one lamenting the mortar we have to avoid from our foxholes each day.

We grew up reading the newspaper sports section for all it had to offer. We see it now, and while it can still serve up some great information, opinions and basic information, all of which can also be found on the Internet for less than 50 cents a read, we try to understand, as a co-reader, why this doesn't make sense.
We're not good business people. We're sports writers. We accept the rather low pay (despite what you may think) and what few perks there are (again, despite what you may think) for the fun of working for the reader.
What does the reader want? We don't think of you as the consumer, or "what will sell" (again, despite what some may want you to think). We want to write about things you'd enjoy reading about.
If you see it in the newspaper, great. If you find it on the website and are able to link to more resources, even better.
If we could figure a way to do that, and keep our jobs, even better.

Because as soon as another one of us is told by someone in the management position that, unfortunately, we can't afford to have you on our team any more, we go back to becoming just a reader instead of a contributor. And, as a reader, we also wish we could read more and find better stories to entertain and inform us. Just as we remember back in the days when we'd look forward to the newspaper arriving on our driveway with a thump.
The internet, and blogging, is an amazing resource to keep people informed as quickly as possible. The newspaper's sports page can be the place for stories that compliment and suppliment that immediate medium of transferring information. But not if we don't have enough players left on the team.
We'll keep trying. Believe us. We're in this for the good, as well as the bad.
We love this job. We keep grinding and try not to whine so much.

It's just tougher, every day, to feel like we're spending most of our energy and focus on things that just shouldn't be stuff you need or care to worry about.
We're not going down without a fight. We care about it too much at this point to throw up our hands and just walk away.
Just so you know ... or is that too much information?

How Sweet It Is

Having been outside of California the past week only makes it that much more enjoyable to sit and watch the Dodgers for the first time in as long. Not even a starting lineup of Juan Pierre and Juan Castro can dampen the quest for 10 in a row.

Image Courtesy of Hemin8r via Yahoo! Images

James Loney

Playing a position that is normally reserved for power hitters, Dodgers 1B James Loney has yet to get his power stroke going this season.

So what?

One month into the season and James is off to a fine start.

.313 AVG, .423 OBP, .810 OPS, 0 HR, 16 RBI, 16 BB, 4 K, 6 Doubles

It looks like Loney has improved his plate discipline, most evident in his 3 walks with the bases loaded this season. And although he doesn't pose much of a power threat his opposite field approach is conducive to a high batting average. The real question is whether or not he will be able to keep pace with his April BB/K ratio. Only time will tell if his improved eye at the plate is a sign of things to come or just a fluke.

The Most Expensive Mop Money Can Buy

In an earlier post today at Dodger Thoughts, Jon had this to say about our bullpen...

Unlike Stults, McDonald would probably head to the bullpen rather than the minor leagues if he drops out of the front five. If that happens, in just a few days we might see the Dodger bullpen become a strength. Consider:

1) Jonathan Broxton
2) Hong-Chih Kuo -- showing his 2008 form with a 1-2-3 inning last night.
3) A healthy Cory Wade
4) Will Ohman -- solid all year
5) Ramon Troncoso -- ditto
6) Ronald Belisario -- as long as he's not overused
7) James McDonald

Honestly, I really feel that if you accept the occasional failing, that's a bullpen you can have faith in. And Guillermo Mota can mop up ...

I'd actually forgotten about Mota until I read that. Perhaps its that I haven't watched the Dodgers in a few days, or maybe it's not worth remembering a guy who is boasting a 7+ ERA with a WHIP of over 2.00, or who carries a 7:2 walks to K's ratio. Again, I'm not really sure, but it must be one of those reasons.

Mota has been mediocre for a few years now, but apparently that equates to over $2 million in the Ned Colletti school of business. Man, Jonathan Broxton must be licking his chops.

April Wins bring May Grins

While the Giants are looking at tonight's rubber game as the biggest game of their '09 season to date, the Dodgers are trying to seize an opportunity. Playing 5 of their first 6 series against division opponents has given LA the chance to fatten up on a not-so-intimidating NL West. Their 13-5 mark within the division so far can get even better with San Diego coming to the Ravine for a 4-game set starting tomorrow night, as well as quick 2-game series with Arizona and a 3-game encore with San Francisco on the 11-game homestand. *(There's also a 2-game duel with the Nationals sandwiched in there for a reason only the schedulers know of.)

Game note: I can't wait to see Lincecum vs. Ethier & Manny tonight.
Title note: I couldn't resist the cheesiness of it.