Liar Liar, Pants On Fire

Controversy Not Without Precedent

I’m not sure what the MLB official rulebook says, but if pine tar was found on Detroit pitcher, Kenny Rogers’ hand, during Game 2 of the World Series, there is a precedent about what kind of suspension he should serve. What’s more, it hits pretty close to home.

In 1988, during the NCLS against the Mets, Dodgers pitcher, Jay Howell, came in to pitch in the bottom of the 8th of Game 3. After Howell had thrown a few pitches to the leadoff man, Kevin McReynolds, Davey Johnson asked the umpires to inspect the ball. They did, and found pine tar on the ball and the back of Howell's glove. Howell was ejected, and later suspended for three games. He was not eligible to pitch again until the World Series against Oakland.

I’m wondering why Cardinals’ manager, Tony LaRussa, didn't make a bigger deal about this, especially after some of his own players told him Rogers' pitches were doing weird things. It was glaringly obvious Rogers had some sort of illegal substance on his hand. It was NOT a clump of dirt, as he later claimed. Big fat liar! The substance was yellowish, very much like pine tar. To me, this makes Rogers as bad as any hitter (Bonds, Sosa, Giambi, Canseco, McGwire, etc…) juicing up. IMO, Rogers should be suspended for the rest of the World Series. Perhaps doctoring the ball explains why a terrible postseason Rogers is suddenly untouchable. He hasn’t allowed a single run in three starts, totaling 23 innings. Un-fricken-real!

I’m thinking LaRussa didn’t make a fuss for two reasons. First, due to a juiced up Mark McGwire having played for him years before. McGwire retired amid controversy and accusations of steroid use. LaRussa claimed he knew nothing. However, I personally believe he turned a blind eye so long as Big Mac continued to launch mammoth homeruns for him and the Cards. Another possible explanation is the deep personal friendship between managers, LaRussa and Leyland. Here we have two managers who are clearly friends, so perhaps this is why Rogers is getting a free pass? Does this mean other managers can have similar agreements and the umpires have no say? And if there are no such agreements, or if the managers dislike each other, what then? Will the offending pitcher get ejected immediately? Will he be suspended…fined? Anything?

Cheating is exactly what’s wrong with Major League Baseball and professional sports today. Athletes will cheat as long as they can gain the competitive edge over their opponents and get away with it. Sadly, in many cases they do. Cheating should be handled CONSISTENTLY and harshly. In this particular case, the umpires asked Rogers to wash his hands…and he did! Hello…umps…anyone home…cheating...anyone...Bueller??? That was ridiculous. More importantly, this is a terrible precedent for the future integrity of the game.

You decide??

Somewhere In Time

Since my Dodgers were knocked out of the post season this year, there isn’t much to look forward to these days, especially since I don’t have the Mutts to root against anymore. However, I am grateful for ESPN Classic goodness. This morning, I watched Game 1 of the 1988 World Series. My scrappy 94-67 Dodgers versus the mighty 104-58 Oakland A’s. According to all the baseball experts, we had NO chance in hell! Player for player, pitcher for pitcher, we were outmatched. Of course that’s what they also said about the NLCS and everyone knows how that turned out! Thank the Gods baseball isn’t played on paper!

During a broadcast, the Dodgers were enraged by Bob Costas' on-air statements about 1988 Dodgers possibly having the weakest hitting line-up in World Series history. After the Dodgers won Game 4, Lasorda during an NBC interview with Marv Albert sarcastically said that the MVP of the World Series should be Bob Costas. Thanks for firing up my Boys, Bob, we owe you one! The Dodgers went on to win the World Series in five games.

Kirk Gibson’s epic at bat against reliever, Dennis Eckersley will go down as the greatest moment in Dodgers history. Eckersley earned 45 saves during the regular season, while Kirk Gibson was named the NL’s Most Valuable Player.

High fly ball hit into right field...she is...GONE; In a year that has been so improbable, the impossible has happened!- Vin Scully on NBC

Gibson swings, and a fly ball to deep right field! This is gonna be a home run! Unbelievable! A home run for Gibson! And the Dodgers have won the game, 5 to 4; I don't believe... what I just saw! - Jack Buck on CBS radio



What's most amazing was the fact Gibson was barely mobile and hobbled up to the plate. He had injured himself in the NCLS and would most likely sit out the World Series with a bad hamstring and bad knees. Luckily for us, he had one good swing left in him. This was his one and only appearance.

I remember exactly where I was and what I was doing. It's one of those moments in life, one NEVER forgets!

She who laughs last, laughs BEST!

Guess who's going to the World Series?

NOT YOU, LoPUKA!



NOT YOU, RALLY KILLER GREEN!



THE CARDS WIN THE PENNANT!
YADI, YADI, YADI!!



THE MUTTS LOSE!

NLCS

The Mutts got WEAVERED in St. Louis! Bu-Yeah!

Cardinals pitcher, Jeff Weaver, has come up big in this series. Wait just a cotton pickin' minute!! Is this the same greedy ass Weaver who left the Dodgers in 2005 seeking more $$$$? Is this the same Jeff Weaver who then signed with the Angels and had a craptific season with a record of 3-10 with an ERA of a GAZILLION? Is this the same Jeff Weaver who was then released by the Angels? Woah, life really is like a box of chocolates. Ya never know what you're gonna get!

Oh, the irony! I get pleasure when ex-Dodgers beat the crap out of ex-Dodgers! LMFAO!

LoPuka watches Duncan's solo blast!


Crybaby Valentin upset over STRIKE 3 call!


What? Left your prancing shoes at home, Reyes?


Rally Killer Green contemplates a long winter vacation!


Go Go Redbirds!
One more win!
Smack down those Mutts!!

NLCS
Cards 3
Mutts 2

The Grudge

There comes a time when one has to root for another team! Call me vindictive. Call me bitter. Call me anything you like, so long as the NY Mets, henceforth known as the Mutts, GET KNOCKED THE FUCK OUT OF THE PLAYOFFS!

Last Saturday, ex Dodgers came back to bite us in the ass in the NDLS. For some inexplicable reason, LoDuca, Green and Valentin played way over their heads and really gave it to their former club. I had no problem with that except that when they played for the Dodgers, Valentin was a useless washed up 3rd baseman on his last legs. The guy did NOTHING for us! Green was the laziest damn right fielder in history. He never left his feet for any ball hit his way! Worse, he became an automatic out and a sure RALLY KILLER at the plate! However, LoDuca was the one player I was sorry to see go. He was a fan favorite and was often called the heart and soul of the team by the fans. Hell, I was angry at the time of the trade. Now, not so much. Why? One reason. RUSSELL MARTIN. As it turns out, LoDuca is a classless jerk. Let's see...he cheats with 19 year old school girls, soon after his wife has a baby. And after the Mutts beat the Dodgers, he was asked about his former club and he responded with, "Fuck the Dodgers!"

So what is a Dodger fan to do? I'll tell you. I'm going to root like hell for any team to take the Mutts out! I hope Dodger fans stop applauding this jackass at the Ravine when he visits! FYI, I hold grudges!

NLCS
Cards 2
Mutts 1

Thanks Redbirds! Keep it up!

It's kind of nice seeing the Mutts suffering the same fate as the Dodgers. Their bats are ice cold. Their pitchers are sucking. They aren't getting any lucky bounces, flairs or dinks...NOTHING, NADA, ZIP, ZILCH! They're committing retarded base running blunders! Lady Luck seems to have abandoned them for St. Louis! HA!

Let's Make A Deal

Wah wah wah! The New York Yankees and their fans are the biggest bunch of spoiled babies on the planet! Every other thread on their fan’s Message Board is bash against A-Rod and manager, Joe Torre. Keep in mind, Joe Torre has managed the Yankees into the playoffs for 11 straight seasons. Further, the Yankees ended the 2006 campaign with a 97-65 record. Alex Rodriguez had a regular season most bigger leaguers would kill for and yet he gets no love! Here’s an example of the NY present mindset:

“Trade Him”
“Fire Torre”
“A-Rod MUST GO!”
“Torre cost us”
“A-Fraud”

You get the picture, right? So here’s my message for Alex:

GET OUT OF NEW YORK!
THEY DON’T APPRECIATE THE GREAT PLAYER YOU ARE!
YOU’LL NEVER GET THE RESPECT YOU DESERVE!
COME PLAY FOR THE DODGERS!
LOS ANGELES WILL TREAT YOU WELL!
WE LOVE OUR PLAYERS!

ALEX RODRIGUEZ, 31 YEARS , 3RD BASEMAN, BATS RIGHT, THROWS RIGHT, Salary: 10 years/$252M (2001-10)

Here are A-Rod’s 2006 Stats:
GAMES 154
AT BATS 572
RUNS 113
HITS 166
DOUBLES 26
TRIPLES 1
HOMERUNS 35
RBI 121
WALKS 90
STRIKEOUTS 139
STOLEN BASES 15
ON BASE % .392
SLG % .523
AVERAGE .290

With numbers like these, who the hell wouldn’t want this future Hall of Famer? Yes, A-Rod’s salary is HUGE, but if Dodger GM, Ned Colletti, could pull off any kind of deal with the Yankees, the Dodgers would have to give up tons of young talent. NY needs a 3rd baseman and pitching immediately. That being the case, a trade could include up and coming youngsters such as Kuo, Billingsley, Broxton, LaRoche or possibly Betemit. Unfortunately, the Dodgers could ill afford to give up these young arms, so a deal for A-Rod would be highly improbable. IMO, the Yankees would be asking for far too much in exchange! Oh well, it was a nice daydream thinking of A-Rod in Dodger Blue facing the hated Yankees in the World Series! I honestly feel bad for the guy and the way he's being treated! He was last year's MVP and he consistently gets booed in his home stadium.

Since that scenario is a pipe dream, the Dodgers must look to improve the 2007 team, therefore, deals must be made. There are loads of impact type players who will be free agents. The Dodgers have a reasonable shot at acquiring at least one, if not more. They need a legitimate power hitter. Drew and Garciaparra had the highest total homeruns on the team with 20 each. Alfonso Soriano, Vernon Wells, Andruw Jones, Torii Hunter or Ray Durham could provide the power.

Regrettably, there isn’t much pitching available and that’s what the Dodgers need most. Barry Zito and Jason Schmidt are the only quality pitchers worth a darn! A weak starting rotation is what killed the hope of moving further along in the 2006 post season. That, along with a punk ass bullpen which was lit up on a regular basis (with the exception of Saito and Broxton). Regardless, pitching must be the top priority for Dodger brass. As far as I’m concerned, they’re missing a precious few pieces to the Dodger puzzle. I trust Ned Colletti, unlike that weasel motherfucker, Paul DePodesta, who single handedly dismantled the 2004 NL West Championship team! Colletti will make the right moves and will field a stronger and much more competitive team in 2007. I can’t wait!

He's A Keeper!

From L.A.'s Daily News

He's a keeper
Dodgers would be well-served to re-sign Garciaparra
Kevin Modesti,
10/09/2006 10:52:10 PM PDT


When Nomar Garciaparra hobbled out of the third-base dugout to pinch-hit on the last night of the Dodgers' season, the fans shook the stadium with what might have been the loudest cheers of the year. Those were 50,000 voices starting the first important conversation of this Dodgers winter.
Garciaparra began 2006 as a necessary gamble, a battle-scarred mercenary joining his third franchise in threeyears, one of the veterans hired as six-month bridges to the young stars of the Dodgers' future.
He ended it as the surprising face of an unexpectedly satisfying team, doing all the things that demonstrate commitment and win over a skeptical public.
Fans here were supposed to be content with one-year-and-gone for Garciaparra.
But if this city wants to hold onto the spirit of '06, it has to keep Nomar.
His contract is up. His future is up in the air again. Both sides in the would-be Nomar-Ned negotiations have spoken only vaguely about hoping there is a next year.
"I really haven't (thought about next year) - there's been a lot going on," Garciaparra said in the dugout at Dodger Stadium before Saturday's game. "It's been a thrill and an honor to wear this uniform. We'll talk about that stuff in the offseason."
Said general manager Ned Colletti: "After the season he had, it's tough not to consider (re-signing) him, my goodness. The guy did everything we asked."
I know Colletti heard what I heard Saturday, before and during the 9-5 loss to the New York Mets that swept the Dodgers out of the playoffs in the first round.
Garciaparra received the biggest ovation in the teams' pregame introductions. Garciaparra received another huge ovation when he was given the National League Comeback Player of the Year award in a ceremony a few minutes later.
And Garciaparra nearly brought the house down with the simple act of walking to home plate in the fifth inning.
It had a lot to do with the situation: the Dodgers having just taken a 5-4 lead, bases loaded, two down.
It had more to do with the man: Garciaparra giving it a shot despite a torn thigh muscle. Garciaparra looking for yet another game-breaking hit.
Garciaparra trying to give the stadium another Kirk Gibson moment.
Put it this way: If that's J.D. Drew on-deck to bat for Mark Hendrickson, the sound you hear is 50,000 fans walking to the hot-dog stands.
It doesn't matter that Garciaparra failed to deliver this time, bouncing back to the mound to end the inning and the Dodgers' last run-scoring rally (they would have runners on with two out in the sixth and eighth, and Drew made meek outs).
Garciaparra had done all he could do this year. He learned a new position. He played hurt. He finished strong. He got the big hits. For what this is worth, he had the team's coolest coming-to-the-plate music, "Low Rider" by the L.A. area-based War.
Sometime, in between his two trips to the disabled list (he missed a total of 40regular-season games), this became a Dodgers season that will be best remembered as Garciaparra's. Eventually we'll forget that it was Jeff Kent, Drew, Russell Martin and Marlon Anderson who hit the four home runs in the ninth that night against SanDiego. We won't forget that it was Nomar who hit the homer in the 10th to win the game - and we won't forget the Nomar grand slam that capped that week.
Garciaparra's career- reviving bat-on-ball numbers (.303, 20 homers, 93 RBIs, 155 "runs produced" - his most since 2003 in Boston before the injuries began) pale in comparison to the connection the Whittier native and boyhood Dodgers fan seemed to make with fans here.
In the end, Garciaparra will decide whether to stay, based in part on practical considerations (that is, money). If another team will give him a multi-year contract, or a big raise from a salary that became $8.5million with fulfilled incentives, he has to think about it.
In the end, Colletti and his staff will decide whether to re-sign Garciaparra based in part on tangential considerations (not only money). Arching over this winter is the question of when to hand the field over to this year's rookies, not only Martin and Andre Ethier but Matt Kemp and James Loney.
Will it be a bright, hopeful day when Loney, 22, takes over at first base? Yes. Should the Dodgers have to depend on Loney to be a fully formed major leaguer next year? No.
Pencil in Garciaparra, 33, for first base next year, and you accept the fact you aren't guaranteeing whatever magic Garciaparra embodied this year; it doesn't work that way. Keep Garciaparra for 2007, and you accept the possibility he suffers another of the major injuries that ruined his 2004 and 2005seasons with the RedSox and Chicago Cubs.
But this isn't Steve Finley, who was pushing 40 when the Dodgers said goodbye after his division-winning grand slam in 2004, this is a star for whom the cheers have yet to fade.
Talking about Garciaparra and Eric Gagne, Colletti acknowledged this week that fans will be "disappointed" if they aren't re-signed. If the stay-or-go, keep-him-or-not decision on Garciaparra turns out to be based only on uncompromised practical factors, fans will and should be disappointed.
There will be plenty of changes in this Dodgers roster between now and April 2, and this is one that doesn't have to be made. I heard 50,000 voices saying so Saturday night.
Kevin Modesti's column appears in the Daily News three days a week.

I COULDN'T AGREE MORE!
SIGN NOMAR NOW!
HE SHOULD RETIRE IN BLUE!
KEEP NO. 5!
NOMAR, HEART & SOUL OF THE DODGERS!

Season Over

Today's one and only highlight was provided before game time. Nomar Garciaparra was named MLB National League Comeback Player of the year and was presented the award in front of 56,000 Nomar Lovers! It was a nice honor and he deserved it!



NOMAR GARCIAPARRA

I am way to distraught to even begin to dissect today's game! I was seriously convinced that there was NO WAY on Earth we were losing today! Bottomline: The Mets won and move on, the Dodgers do not!


ATTN: LA DODGER FANS!
2005 DODGERS 21 GAMES BELOW .500!
2006 DODGERS NL WILD CARD!
2007 DODGERS GO ALL THE WAY!

Side Note: Sitting three rows in front of me, was none other than actor, Powers Boothe, aka, Cy "Fucking"Tolliver! If anyone is familiar with the show, Deadwood, you'll know which cocksucker I'm referring to! I friggen love that show and probably would flipped my lid had it been Ian McShane, aka, Al Swearengen! That's Los Angeles for ya...where the stars are always out!!

A.B.T.Y.

GO TIGERS!!!!



Anyone But The Yankees!

The Baseball World Loses A Great

O'Neil, Negro Leagues player, dies at 94

John Jordan “Buck” O’Neil

Last year I watched the Ken Burn's film, "Baseball" and was absolutely rivoted. The film captured the spirit and rich tradition of our historical national pastime. It told me stories I never knew and showed me footage I'd never seen. Throughout the 9-part series, the most delightful person kept popping up, sharing his memories, thoughts and opinions about the beloved game. You could not help fall in love with the man. He was Buck O'Neil. He was a great person and a great ambassador of baseball. Rest In Peace.


Well — it's our game;
That's the chief fact in connection with it;
America's game;
It has the snap, go, fling of the American atmosphere;
It belongs as much to our institutions;
Fits into them as significantly as our Constitution's laws;
Is just as important in the sum total of our historic life.

— Walt Whitman

Let's Go Dodgers, Let's GO!

WE ARE NOT OUT OF THIS YET!
WE HAVE THE METS WHERE WE WANT THEM!
FUCK THE EXPERTS!
FUCK THE ESPN!
AND FUCK ALL EX-DODGERS!
THIS INCLUDES YOU, LoDUCA!
CURSES ON YOU MIDGET!



THE DODGERS WILL TAKE THE NEXT TWO!



DAMN STRAIGHT, I BLEED BLUE!




HEAVEN ON EARTH!

Lackluster Effort = Grand Canyon Size Hole

Fine time for the Dodger offense to go on vacation! Come back! Yes, you! The season isn’t over yet! Damn it! The Blue couldn’t mount any threat against Tom Glavine, the crafty veteran! The one exception was Wilson Betemit’s monster blast in the top of the 8th. However, it was not nearly enough, as the Mets took Game 2, with a score of 4-1 and now lead the best of 5 series, 2-0!! Deep hole you’ve dug for yourselves Boys!

What was frustrating about this game, was that the Mets didn’t exactly knock the cover off the ball, either. They just happened to execute all of their plays, while the Dodgers did not! They moved the runners when they had to, via bunts, fielder’s choice and sac flys! Lucky Bastards, the Baseball Gods smiled upon you tonight!!

Gotta give props to Kuo, the rookie left-hander, who pitched a heck of a ballgame! Not bad for the kid who was placed in a pressure cooker situation! Kuo responded well, although, was victimized by the anemic Dodgers offense! I'm gonna go out on a limb here and predict that come 2007, Kuo will be a 20 game winner for the Dodgers! Not much more to say, except gotta give em hell for Game 3! I’ll be at Chavez Ravine on Saturday cheering on my Boys! Hopefully not for the last time this season, although, we will require a miracle...that's for damn sure!!

Tough Luck Loss

Bad coaching by Rich Donnelley at 3rd base, led to what will be forever known as the DOUBLE TAG OUT AT HOME DEBACLE! That, along with Grady Little’s poor decision to bring in a horrible Brad Penny out of the bullpen in the 7th, cost the Dodgers the ballgame! What were you thinking Grady? I would honestly love to know? Penny has been our worst pitcher since the All Star break! I hoped my eyes were deceiving me, but alas, there he was on the mound at a very crucial moment! Right out of the gate, Penny walked the first two batters who eventually came around to score and there folks, went the game!! Gee, what a surprise! *sigh* I won’t even begin to describe the play at the plate, because I’m sure ESPN will show this lowlight every 15 minutes for the rest of our fucking lives! A$$HOLES!

This game was the Dodgers for the taking, if not for poor managing today. The Boys in Blue did their best, which should have been good enough with any kind of middle relief, since they also managed to tie up the ballgame at 4-4, late in the 7th. The Boys also gave the Mets a death scare, when in the top of the 9th, they scored a run against their closer, Billy Wagner and were in a position to once again tie the game. Unfortunately, they came up a buck short! The final outcome, 6-5, was not what I’d hoped for, and as hard as this loss is to swallow, I’m very proud at the way the Boys played today. They showed a lot of heart and played until the end. They sent out a clear message that they should never be taken lightly or discounted until the final out!! We’ll bounce back tomorrow!

MUST WIN!

GO DODGERS!!

THINK BLUE!

Dodger Rally Monday!

Thousands of Dodger fans
united at Universal City Walk
to root on out Boys in Blue!



"CRUSH THE METS!"
"CRUSH THE METS!"
"CRUSH THE METS!"



EVERYONE WANTED IT!
My Dodger Sárape! (Sa-Rah-Peh)!
It's A Mexican Thang!



Entertainment provided by The Donnas!!



DODGER BLUE FOREVER!

Regular Season Ends on High Note

The Dodgers gave the San Francisco Gnats the ultimate BITCH SLAP, by beating their ace, Jason Schmidt, 4-3 and sweeping the series! Not only did the Blue beat them, but they did it with their “B” team, four of them rookies! LMFAO! I’m so sad for the Frisco fans…NOT!

Here is today's lovely Dodger line-up that kicked S.F. ass:

Repko, CF
Ethier, LF
Lugo, SS
Loney, 1B
Betemit, 3B
Kemp, CF
Hall, C
Martinez, 2B
Stults, P

Just for chuckles, I thought I'd share the current mindset of the Frisco fans! Straight from the S.F. Message Boards, I kid you not! LMFAO!

Has There Been A Day More Black? To my way of thinking, the earthquake and fire of 1906 is the only tragedy surpassing this: The Giants are swept in our own yard by those damn Dodgers.

We ALL got beaten up and robbed! That’s what it feels like. I feel like I got the shit kicked out of me - and my wallet is gone. What makes it worse is that there isn't a freakin cop anywhere.

I bet the Giants all brought their wives to the game so the Dodgers could have some of that too. What a bunch of OLD HEARTLESS GUTLESS bums.

That's right...on your backs Bitches!


S.F., your team sucks and if you want any success, make the smart move and do not resign Barroid Bonds! Sure, he’ll give you the occasional homerun, but he isn’t the hitter he once was. Dodger pitchers kept him in check all season and he batted a paltry .150! The dude is a selfish prick and should retire! So do yourselves and us a favor by letting him walk and fade away…I’m sick of looking at his BIG ASS HEAD!

On a positive note, the Dodgers ended their regular season by winning seven consecutive games, unfortunately, the NL West title goes to the fucking Madres due to the tiebreaker (head to head). The Madres record is no better than the Dodgers, so they cannot claim they are the better team as some have tried! Besides, we’re talking playoffs now, when ANYTHING can and will happen! Remember 1988, when we were told the Dodgers were an inferior team and that we’d get crushed by the mighty Mets….blah blah blah...we'd get crushed by Oakland...yadda yadda yadda! We know how that turned out! See you in New York!

Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!

WIN BABY!!!!!!

THINK BLUE!!!!