I missed this back when news first hit that the Marlins banned facial hair and Mattingly (he of the exceptional mustache when he played for the Yankees) agreed to enforce it, but the American Mustache Institute reacted with sorrow at that horrific turn of events.
“The entire episode marks yet another dark chapter in the way the Mustached American community can often be treated,” said Dr. Adam Paul Causgrove, chief executive officer of the American Mustache Institute. “But we will continue to fight for those who have no representation and firmly push our agenda, making the case of the power of facial hair and all that it brings to all walks of life.”
I share Dr. Causgrove’s dismay.
And, yea, it came to pass.
“Ethier out 10-14 weeks with fractured tibia”
http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/artile/168571490/dodgers-andre-ethier-has-fractured-tibia
Yay depth (let’s hope). But it probably will lead to a big dose of CC. Non-yay.
This team might be at full strength sometime in the second half.
SVS will also get more playing time.
Drat! But all the best to CC.
A little black humor about Dre’s news, from comments elsewhere:
“Carl Crawford must be dancing for joy.”
Reply:
“If he dances too enthusiastically I’m sure he’ll pull or tear something.”
Mientras tanto, en La Habana… https://twitter.com/TheOnion/status/712383121572941824
Foul balls find the over-dressed.
Old friend James Loney appears to hit well in Cuba.
Ethier had a bone scan after the shin he fouled a ball off four days ago still hurt.
After the amputation, it will never bother him again.
From a Gnatblog:
Hey, it’s just Spring Training; no need to worry about these starting pitcher ERA’s yet right?):
Smudge: 8.53
Peevy: 8.53
BadGums: 10.57
Gnatt Cain: 10.12
Cueto: 16.62
(Edited for spelling and punctuation)
In all the player moves, where’s the DFA for Jamey Wright? He’s showing nothing except BP for opposing teams.
He’s there to take one for the team.
Or 5…or 6.
Then again, he has a lower ERA than Cueto.
Also Gurnick, on the position player side of the hospital ward:
PHOENIX — “Add Scott Van Slyke to the list of the Dodgers’ walking wounded, as he was scratched from Sunday’s game with a mild hip flexor. Manager Dave Roberts said Van Slyke will miss two more days and return on Wednesday.”
For the South American travelers and the economists/bankers (if any) among us, a fascinating story about an economist who did important work in the 1970s theorizing why Brazil had not developed into a modern society sooner and why its society was so unequal. He then disappeared from academic life and no one knew where or why. Someone started looking.
Fascinating. I have been all of the above at some point in my life, but never heard of the fellow. I can understand, as what he was writing would not been very popular in academic circles during the 70’s-80’s when I was in school.
Newsflash from Gurnick, on site at the Dodger pitcher hospital ward:
PHOENIX — “The Dodgers optioned right-hander Zach Lee to Minor League camp on Sunday, essentially making Mike Bolsinger the fifth starter, although Bolsinger was a late scratch on Sunday with abdominal tightness and is listed as day to day.
“Brandon Beachy was in the final trio of contenders, but he has been sidelined for several days with tendinitis in his right arm, which has previously endured two Tommy John surgeries.”
Wonderful. Just wunnerful…..
Unlike most teams with a starting rotation and bullpen, the Dodgers have a third pitching category–the hospital ward.
News from there consistently has not been encouraging. Neither is this.
http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/168208106/dodgers-brandon-beachy-arm-soreness
(Note: may have to right click, if doable.)
Wonder if FAZ has considered whether mining the hospital ward and hoping for good results is all that good an idea, after all.
There are two main categories: Pitchers who have had a serious physical problem, and those who will have…
What’s the saying? “All pitchers are one pitch away from career over.”
Even the Kershaws–bite my tongue (or keyboard.) Couple things I’ve seen about his pregame and general conditioning program make me wonder if he’s being smart or asking for it. Like finishing every pregame warmup with several long tosses from the OF warning track–THEN starting the game.
More on the rotation problems at the Phone Booth To Be Named Later: http://www.sfgate.com/giants/article/Giants-Bumgarner-body-feels-fine-delivery-6924150.php
Meanwhile, Chip Hale claims that Zach is making the rest of his team better. http://m.dbacks.mlb.com/news/article/168210210?partnerId=ed-10117479-881734963
Almost by definition (the link is “not valid,” though.
Ugh. Went back to it and had to click right and open in another window to see it myself.
I still have no idea what a “right click” is. The opposite of a “wrong click,” I guess.
Depress the right side of the mouse/pad as opposed to the left side and a box pops up.
No it doesn’t.
If your mouse is ancient and doesn’t have 2 buttons, invest a few bucks in a new one, which will.
When the option box Bob describes pops up after clicking on the right side, scroll down to “Open link in new window” and left or right click on it. And you’re there.
If you use a trackball, dunno. Google how, I guess. You do know what Google is, right? ;-])
All this assumes you’re using Windows. If Mac and issues, see also Mr. Google.
It’s strange, but under Blogroll on EF I can left-click all buttons I use
except Dodgers@mlb, which always gets “invalid link.” But a right click/new window works every time. So I just start that one that way.
I’ve heard of Windows, but don’t really know what it is.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Windows
Do you use a computer or phone to access the Net? We’ve been thinking computer when answering you about right click stuff.
Probably 90% of computers use Windows operating system versions 7, 8, or 10 . Macs probably are superior, but Steve Jobs long ago lost the mass marketing battle to Bill Gates & Co–if he ever really engaged in it.
How to right-click on an iPhone
I use a Macbook for this site. Sometimes I use an iPad or phone.
As much as the Dodger’s FO gets pilloried, the giants [sic] are on the hook for $126 million over just the next two years for Cueto, Shark, Cain and Peavy. Wonder how much value they get out of that.
From a Gnatblog: “Gnats starters are looking like Timmy might be an improvement…” (quotation edited for spelling)
Tomorrow’s game is televised on SPNLA, for those who get the channel and want an alternative to roundball.
It’s on MLBTV, which is what I use. I used to like basketball, but it’s become boring.
If you don’t like March Madness, then you really don’t like baloncesto.
As I said, I used to like it, but now it bores me.
Nice matchup with Klayton and Sale.
Beachy seems likely to have earned a ticket to OKC.
http://www.truebluela.com/2016/3/18/11266242/brandon-beachy-wild-dodgers-fifth-starter-competition
I wouldn’t write him off, but I think he needs to get some work in at OKC.
Not much progress evident from last year. He may have reached his ceiling on how good he is going to be after the TJ.
He hasn’t pitched much, though, so it’s almost like starting over yet again.
It’s only spring training and SSS. But BR rates the level of competition faced using a scale of 10=major leaguers; 8=AAA, 7=AA; 5=High A; 4=Low A and 1.5=rookie leaguers. Maeda’s 0.00 ERA, for example has been against 8.9, Kershaw’s 0.90 against 8.5, Kazmir’s 17.18 against 8.8; Wood’s (not including yesterday) 9.00 against 8.3; Ballslinger’s 2.00 against 8.3; Beachy’s 0.00 against 7.1 and Stripling’s 0.00 against 7.4.
Not to mention miniscule sample sizes.
OK, then MSS.
Glass half-empty types often overlook some significant things. Such as…
“During the 10 years Honeycutt has been the Dodgers’ pitching coach, they have compiled the lowest ERA (3.65) and WHIP (1.27) in the Major Leagues. Their pitchers have led the Majors in strikeouts (12,605) and strikeout-to-walks ratio (2.55) during that span.
“Honeycutt has played a key part in revitalizing veteran pitchers for a late surge like Brad Penny, Derek Lowe, Dan Haren, Randy Wolf and Ted Lilly, who have helped the Dodgers win more games in the past 10 years (875) than any NL team other than the Cardinals (889).”
FWIW.
http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/167789118/kershaw-raves-about-pitching-coach-honeycutt
It helps to have those “impact players,” doesn’t it?
Latos was not a good student.
Good fit for a dunce cap, deserved all the more due to attitude.
Mat figured that he was still a front line starter and expected to be treated as such. So, not a happy camper.
Nice to see Wood, after being anointed as the fourth, get through 3 innings (1 run, 4 hits).
He looked OK, but less than dominant.
Puig won’t be suspended.
http://www.truebluela.com/2016/3/16/11245828/dodgers-starting-rotation-thoughts
Meanwhile, the Gnats have BadGums and Gnatt Cain on the shelf, Cueto knocked on the head by a liner, Peevy washed up, and Samardzija got absolutely bombed yesterday.
Maeda on his most recent outing: ““There were times when I threw pitches on the corner that I wanted strikes on but were called balls. Had I got them, I would have had more strikeouts. I think I’m going to have to establish my reputation among the umpires as a pitcher with good control.”
He’s not going to overpower anybody but seems to have a great mental game, of which attitude is a big part.
Law saw what he saw, but how did Maeda fool all of those Japanese batters for all those years? It’s one thing if you are moving up quickly through farm levels and teams and players don’t see you that much, but he pitched 8 years for the Toyo Carp.
Remember the Sidd Finch story by George Plimpton that appeared in SI in April 1985? Here’s the backstory, finally.
I was much more gullible back then and bought into Sidd Finch…for a little while.
Wonder if someday some physical freak will show up and throw 120 or so. Still wouldn’t be in Sidd’s league, tho.
Mientras el Presidente Obama se prepara por su viaje a Cuba, https://twitter.com/ENH_Deportes/status/710248141635854336
An upcoming first? One South African player – not black, apparently – reached AAA in 1980.
Visited Cape Town this winter. Lovely place (a might windy, however).
How many baseball games did you see?
Not a one. You would think that a country with all those diamonds…
When I flew into Lima recently, I noticed a large baseball field I’d never seen before. Mind you, I never set foot in Lima any more except to change planes – though a stop to try the best food on the continent would always be welcome.
Never saw baseball in Peru over various visits there since the early 1980s. Would imagine that it was the Japanese that brought it there.
There are quite a few baseball fields in the Chilean Atacama, thanks to the US mining industry: http://southernconeguidebooks.blogspot.com.ar/2014/07/jodorowskys-tocopilla-surrealism-in.html
Snippet says he is black…?
Odd writing. He apparently would be the first South African of any kind to make a major league roster. I’m assuming the only South African player, a catcher named Mark Miller who reached AAA in the Reds organization in 1980, was a white South African.
I was a Seattle Rainiers fan at the time when Maury was sprinting onto the field in this photo.
Mildred again with, I believe, Preacher Roe and Arky Vaughan at ST 1948 in the Dominican Republic.
And where were you?
Didn’t arrive on the scene until 1953.
An habitual latecomer, then?
My mother-in-law Mildred with Leo Durocher
NCAA Tournament post above.
Anybody interested an NCAA tournament contest?
No.
My Hoyas aren’t in it so I guess I would guess more with my head instead of my heart.
Might be more rational that way. 🙂
Barnes will play 2B in today’s game v. White Sox. Take that, Dee!
Flexibility is good. As things now stand, scenarios that might make space on the opening roster (13 position players) for Austin would include injuries to an infielder or catcher, or getting rid of Guerrero. If it’s the latter, however, may not get enough playing time. to make it worthwhile. Johnson orThompson might also be in the mix
Maybe he’s the new Craig Biggio!
Biggio was actually not a C/2nd in that sense. He was C that played a little outfield before he was shifted to 2nd in his fifth season.
From the “and you think we have trouble” file: MadBum may miss two starts with “minor” injuries, Cueto got shelled last night, including taking a line drive to the head, Peavy has been horrible, Cain will miss the start of the season and Shark as be so-so.
Last night, at least, Cueto was an “impact player.” BadGums, meanwhile, is long overdue for his TJ. Peevy (sic) is truly awful and Gnatt Cain’s career appears to be over, but at least they might get some innings out of the other guy.
Mike Petriello on Hatcher’s turnaround last season. After coming back from injury he pitched on par with Kenley and Chapman.
http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/167434906/chris-hatcher-models-fastball-after-wade-davis
Three fine players – Hatcher, Quique and Barnes – for a Dee who’s utterly replaceable.
More benefits of bilingualism: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/13/opinion/sunday/the-superior-social-skills-of-bilinguals.html?smid=nytcore-iphone-share&smprod=nytcore-iphone&_r=0&mtrref=undefined&gwh=70CAACE5CB57E29EF260502A8E026AA2&gwt=pay&assetType=opinion
Thoughtful piece on status of scouting, including what Dodgers are doing.
Also, interesting bit about what scouts picked up Re David Price in last year’s playoffs.
http://www.thinkbluela.com/index.php/2016/03/12/what-is-the-status-of-the-dodgers-mlb-scouting/
Dodgers show off defense in today’s first inning.
I was pleasantly surprised that Roberts called for a squeeze – the only bunt Mattingly never liked – and it was successful.
Reminds me of an old Cosby joke from his standup days, talking about his football running back days at Temple University: “I had never SEEN a hole, playing for Temple…”
I have no idea whether he actually played RB or even football at Temple. He did attend the school.
Here is 2010 article from the New York Times about Cosby and Temple football:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/05/sports/05vecsey.html
I prefer to avoid anything to do with Cosby. He’s poison.
I don’t disagree, but I can’t erase all the comedy routines he did that are stuck in my head. Noah? Driving in San Francisco? Chicken Heart?
Yeah, grew up with his comedy records as well.
A non-person. I may recognize the name, but no lasting impression – except for his recent newsworthiness
It’s been said that at this stage of ST, it’s often one team’s up-and-coming AA and AAA players against each other.
Good to know that our up-and-comers have been kicking posterior, for the most part. Maybe adding those of a few major leaguers, too. Bodes well for the future.
Winning in ST: Side benefit of having a strong farm system!
This article tries to correlate ST winning percentage with subsequent regular season winning percentage and comes up with it being meaningless, except at the extremes. Along the lines of your thought, I suggested to the author that perhaps there is a stronger correlation if one includes the winning percentages of the Big team and those at the AAA and AA levels. http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/the-orioles-and-a-reminder-about-spring-training-records/#comment-5106803
Hello everybody. Glad to find some old friends posting. Hope that the winter was kind. For the record, I shaved off my mustache a couple of months ago. People say that I look 10 years younger, but that wouldn’t make me young.
I’ve been seven years without mine, after 40+ years with.
A couple years ago, I modified my scruffy Dylanish beard into a fuller goatee (with mustache).
Had a beard for at least a year three times in my life.
I have had a mustache for most of my adult life, but keep it well trimmed. I would never be mistaken for Rollie Fingers.
Fingers’s mustache was always well-trimmed.
Yes, but his corners went down below his upper lip. I keep my in a straight line above my upper lip.
Handlebars require regular maintenance.
So, Kershaw let Blackmon get a hit so he could practice his pickoff.
Noticed the Dodgers’ continued youth movement with Jamey Wright, which seems to be going Wrong. I’m for a feel-good story as much as anyone, but the 2016 version of him doesn’t seem to be one.
Roberts has said the ball was coming out of his hand good. Suppose he’s noticed it’s coming off opposing bats good, too.
Unless he’d go to the minors–doubtful–hard to see why he’s even in camp. Even if he sparkled, he’s 41 or so and unlikely to make much impact over a full season. Meantime, everything he does could be done by a younger reliever and help the youngster’s development.
I’ll be happy to be wrong. But this is a puzzling FO move, even if only a minor one.
I think he’ll have his ticket home shortly.
To me he is just low cost insurance, who got the nod as NRI based on playing catch in the off season with Klayton. A lot of our young hurlers are still potentially starter material so think, so he could be useful in giving them more time to develop on that track. But like WBBsAs hard to see him having a slot in the pen at this point.
Bob, do you know of a source for the box v Seattle last night? Dodgers.com
normally has them all. But today there seem to be about 3 of the box v
the Cubbies, none for the one v the M’s.
Couldn’t find the box last night either until I went to mlbtv.
Can you still get there? I tried changing the date on Gameday results
back to 12th but no Dodger games came up.
If so, link appreciated.
ESPN: 8-4, Dodgers in 10.
Thks for link, Link.
Heh.
Thx
When you’ve got the chance to get an “impact player,” age is irrelevant.
Barnes hit HR number 3 of the spring.
Ruining his swing! Barring further injuries and with the early schedule set up such that we are likely to need a fifth starter (assuming Clayton, Kazmir, Maeda, Ballslinger and Wood) right out of the box, it’s looking like the choice for the 25th guy would be between Barnes, Thompson, Frias and Guerrero. First three have options.
A steal in the Dee deal.
Rhyme time. ;-])
Hard to imagine a clean shaven Dennis Eckersley looking into his catcher for the sign right before his historic pitch to Kurt Gibson!
Yeah, how about the Mad Hungarian!?
https://www.google.com/search?q=the+mad+hungarian+baseball&rlz=1C1AFAB_enUS556US556&espv=2&biw=1920&bih=955&tbm=isch&imgil=9ClztRkG9ktp0M%253A%253BwzqiPFIXQpFwgM%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fespn.go.com%25252Fespn%25252Fpage2%25252Fstory%25253Fpage%2525253Dbaseball%25252Fhair%25252Fgallery&source=iu&pf=m&fir=9ClztRkG9ktp0M%253A%252CwzqiPFIXQpFwgM%252C_&usg=__ZtZ-xamoac38hEcFNa34yGMmeSA%3D&dpr=1&ved=0ahUKEwjzobHk9LzLAhVIeD4KHespAvMQyjcIXw&ei=OPjkVvOlH8jw-QHr04iYDw#imgrc=9ClztRkG9ktp0M%3A
Hrabosky was enormous fun to watch.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09R5JKA1Md0
Los norteamericanos con chivos compartimos los sentimientos del Dr. Causgrove.