'Alter My Lifestyle To Fit the Fast Lane'
February 19, 2007 | 3:17
pm
Latka Gravas intently studies Playboy magazine, and he turns into Vic Ferrari. Now that's a transformation worth talking about.
Brett Tomko tinkering with his windup, or the annual Maury Wills tutorial of the baserunner/bunter who could use more help in every other area - that's about as exciting as teaching Latka how to be a better mechanic.
The Dodgers' most famous March tutors are Wills and Sandy Koufax. All adequate and good, but where's the legend who will wring a little more power out of this team? That's the classic I want to see over and over again.
1.  ....Eddie Murray?
Posted by: das411 | February 19, 2007 at 03:50 PM
2.  Jose Canseco.
Posted by: Greg Brock | February 19, 2007 at 03:53 PM
3.  What's Duke Snider up to these days?
Posted by: underdog | February 19, 2007 at 03:54 PM
4.  The legend that is Luis Gonzalez.
Posted by: trainwreck | February 19, 2007 at 03:57 PM
5.  Olmedo Saenz as new head trainer
Posted by: StolenMonkey86 | February 19, 2007 at 04:09 PM
6.  As they say in my country, the only thing that separates us from the animals are mindless superstition and pointless ritual.
Posted by: Andrew Shimmin | February 19, 2007 at 04:35 PM
7.  What's the penguin doing these days?
Posted by: Gen3Blue | February 19, 2007 at 04:37 PM
8.  ....Billy Manual Ashley?
Posted by: Claire Malone-Evans | February 19, 2007 at 04:45 PM
9.  Well there current hitting coach has more home runs than anybody in Dodger history with the exception of Frank Robinson. But does anybody believe you can teach power?
Posted by: Greg S | February 19, 2007 at 04:45 PM
10.  9. That would be the alternate spelling of the possessive "there".
Posted by: Greg S | February 19, 2007 at 04:49 PM
11.  9 I don't know about the semantics, but you can certainly develop power where it doesn't exist. Developing a stronger lower body and arms, modifying the way you load your hands before swinging, changing your stride and balance...There are a bunch of ways to develop power. The only obstacle is that MLB players are probably very hesitant to modify their mechanics that drastically.
But I'd contend that "teaching" power isn't impossible. It's just drastic.
Posted by: Greg Brock | February 19, 2007 at 04:54 PM
12.  You can always take steroids too.
Posted by: Marty | February 19, 2007 at 05:13 PM
13.  Steroids are so 2002. HGH and EPO are the way to go.
Get with the times, Marty.
Posted by: Bob Timmermann | February 19, 2007 at 05:22 PM
14.  I guess I'm a Luddite when it comes to performance enhancing drugs.
Posted by: Marty | February 19, 2007 at 05:26 PM
15.  HGH and EPO are so 2006. Gene therapy is the way to go.
Posted by: Greg Brock | February 19, 2007 at 05:29 PM
16.  Cybernetic appendages are the real ticket to glory.
Posted by: trainwreck | February 19, 2007 at 05:32 PM
17.  The terrifying and undetectable future of cheating:
http://tinyurl.com/32lja
Posted by: Greg Brock | February 19, 2007 at 05:33 PM
18.  11. I'd agree with that. I'd also add (even though I'm sure to be flamed by one poster who seems obsessed) that players these days are generally not much into listening to their coaches anyway. Kind of a shame especially when the coach speaks from experience.
Posted by: Greg S | February 19, 2007 at 05:36 PM
19.  How about more out of a certain power pitcher, like two good halves? From LA Times, Henson, Brad Penny analysis, confirming what some here thought...
..."A split-finger changeup Penny developed last spring gave him a devastating third pitch to go with his 96 mph fastball and sharp curve. But he stopped using the splitter at mid-season because he was afraid it might lead to arm problems.
"It's hard on the arm and I shied away from it," he said. "Then I had trouble with my curve for a while, so I was out there throwing one pitch. It's tough to get by just with your fastball."
Somewhere I saw that Penny threw more fastballs 95 or better than any other NL pitcher last year. But, as the cliche goes, it doesn't matter how hard you can throw it; these guys can hit it.
Earth to Brad: why not go back to the splitter and maybe get some tips on how not to hurt your arm throwing it? And more help on the curve? Don't the Dodgers have a pitching coach?
Dropping the split-finger alone could account for much of the daylight/dark difference in Penny over the two halves last season.
Posted by: twerp | February 19, 2007 at 05:46 PM
20.  19
Finally, an explanation. Though not a very encouraging one...
Posted by: D4P | February 19, 2007 at 05:48 PM
21.  Received the Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition this week. I don't know if it's me, or the mag, but the thing is basically unogleable. When I was fifteen, that was really an overwhelming publication to receive in the mail. Now, its the size of a phone book, I can hardly find the fabulous babes between the reams of advertisements, and the whole thing is just overly busy and unthrilling.
I am looking forward to next week's haughty "what does this have to do with sports please cancel my subscription at once" letters, however.
Posted by: Sam DC | February 19, 2007 at 05:50 PM
22.  Sam's kids lunch boxes will be very popular at school now.
Posted by: Bob Timmermann | February 19, 2007 at 05:52 PM
23.  22 Married life definitely indicates a quick trip to the recycling bin for the swimsuit issue, so the next generation's lunch should be safe.
Posted by: Sam DC | February 19, 2007 at 05:59 PM
24.  I've never been on the "trade Penny" bandwagon, but if our choices are "All fastballs" vs. "Arm trouble," then by all means, get rid of the guy.
Posted by: D4P | February 19, 2007 at 06:12 PM
25.  Sports Illustrated is the one sports magazine I've considered subscribing to, but it actually is a nonstarter with me due to the swimsuit issue.
Posted by: Daniel Zappala | February 19, 2007 at 06:14 PM
26.  The swimsuit issue is less risqué than the average "SFW"-designated material
Posted by: D4P | February 19, 2007 at 06:20 PM
27.  It's one more pitch than Danys Baez has.
Posted by: Steve | February 19, 2007 at 06:25 PM
28.  15, 17 What I thought was a throw-away line by Greg Brock actually leads to a very interesting scientific article. Who knew he could play anything but the jester?
Posted by: Daniel Zappala | February 19, 2007 at 06:27 PM
29.  Dmitri Young says that his offseason problems last year were caused by untreated Type 2 diabetes.
The article also notes that he reported to Nationals' camp today wearing a Sanford and Son t-shirt.
http://tinyurl.com/36cvjy
Posted by: Sam DC | February 19, 2007 at 06:27 PM
30.  Brad Penny has one more 'n' than Danys Baez
Posted by: Marty | February 19, 2007 at 06:27 PM
31.  28 Only a man of my intelligence could fake such stupidity...
Posted by: Greg Brock | February 19, 2007 at 06:29 PM
32.  And yes, I stole that line from the great Bill Cosby.
Posted by: Greg Brock | February 19, 2007 at 06:32 PM
33.  32
Along with a few sweaters...?
Posted by: D4P | February 19, 2007 at 06:33 PM
34.  33
Filth Flarn Filth...
Posted by: Greg Brock | February 19, 2007 at 06:34 PM
35.  And one more "n" than Baez' real name, the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Posted by: Steve | February 19, 2007 at 06:38 PM
36.  Been thinkin about Alex Rod. as a D. Trouble is the team that trades for him has to get rid of a SS, and the Yanks need to get a 3rd baseman and a pitcher. Can't see it happening and hope it doesn't.
Posted by: Gen3Blue | February 19, 2007 at 07:03 PM
37.  A Rod is going to be a free agent after the season. We can think about him then.
Posted by: trainwreck | February 19, 2007 at 07:09 PM
38.  A-Rod isn't a Mustache-type player. He's just one of the top five all around players in the game.
But he lacks leadership, charisma, veteran presence, blah blah blah...
Posted by: Greg Brock | February 19, 2007 at 07:13 PM
39.  I think Mustache would like it, because he loves talking and being talked about. He would love to get a star like A-Rod.
Posted by: trainwreck | February 19, 2007 at 07:20 PM
40.  I can see Colletti picking up A-Rod and then asking him or Furcal to play 2nd.
Posted by: StolenMonkey86 | February 19, 2007 at 07:36 PM
41.  Is ARod going to opt out? His rate is still higher than anybody else's. Should he really expect to be able to draw more than 27 million a year?
Posted by: Andrew Shimmin | February 19, 2007 at 07:37 PM
42.  Well on the one hand, you've got a point.
On the other hand, Jeff Suppan is getting $10 million a year.
Posted by: StolenMonkey86 | February 19, 2007 at 07:38 PM
43.  Who's a better hitter than Alex Rodriguez? Pujols, Cabrera, Hafner, Howard...And?
Whatever Rodriguez gets, he'll deserve it.
Posted by: Greg Brock | February 19, 2007 at 07:40 PM
44.  41
A-Rod will opt out because he knows Derek Jeter doesn't like him. Such emotional pain can ruin a man.
I once cried nonstop for a week when I found out that Tom Prince called me a "weenie."
Posted by: Bob Timmermann | February 19, 2007 at 07:41 PM
45.  43- They've never been free agents, so their salaries aren't helpful. Whether he'd be worth it, or not, I'm only wondering whether he could get it, or whether he thinks he could. I don't know. After this year, he'll still have 3 years/$81 million dollars left, with a new pay day for his age 35 season. That's a pretty high bar.
Posted by: Andrew Shimmin | February 19, 2007 at 07:57 PM
46.  Andruw Jones will get $20 million a year. A-Rod hits for better average, drives in 130-150 runs, has gold gloves at shortstop, had a 40-40 year, and is a couple years older. A-Rod will not make more than $27 million a year - it may be as low as $20 million a year, but I could see it happening.
All he needs to do is "want to be a Dodger."
Posted by: StolenMonkey86 | February 19, 2007 at 07:57 PM
47.  How upset will DT readers be if the Angels beat out the Dodgers when A-Rod is a free agent?
Posted by: Daniel Zappala | February 19, 2007 at 07:58 PM
48.  Depends on whether Nomar slides over to 2nd for Loney.
Posted by: StolenMonkey86 | February 19, 2007 at 07:59 PM
49.  45 Forget the years. He'll have 81 million on his contract. If he opts out, he'll get another 120 million. Whatever Soriano got, he'll get more.
A-Rod may not opt out, but he's dumb if he doesn't.
Posted by: Greg Brock | February 19, 2007 at 08:00 PM
50.  Would you rather have 3yrs, 81 mil guaranteed, or 7/8yrs, 145 million guaranteed?
Posted by: Greg Brock | February 19, 2007 at 08:02 PM
51.  50
Fortunately, I'll never be faced with such a difficult decision
Posted by: D4P | February 19, 2007 at 08:09 PM
52.  He has Boras as an agent. He will be a free agent.
Posted by: trainwreck | February 19, 2007 at 08:12 PM
53.  52 It's not about having Boras. It's about having an agent that can count. Any agent who advocated sticking with the old deal would be doing a great disservice to their client.
Posted by: Greg Brock | February 19, 2007 at 08:16 PM
54.  So, I got an e-mail on my Treo with an attachment from someone I know. I normally don't download attachments on it, but I tried to do so this time. The result was a disaster - some functions on the Treo now take a minute or more to execute, including answering the phone, which effectively means I can't answer the phone. I've spent hours trying to fix this, to no avail. Can anyone advise?
Posted by: Jon Weisman | February 19, 2007 at 08:27 PM
55.  Belliard's agent could probably get him a non-roster invite to spring training...
Posted by: D4P | February 19, 2007 at 08:27 PM
56.  19 - I guess he didn't want to throw a cutter.
Posted by: StolenMonkey86 | February 19, 2007 at 08:32 PM
57.  how about a knuckleball for Penny? that's not hard on the arm at all. He could throw a 95 mph fastball and a 60 mph knuckleball.
Posted by: StolenMonkey86 | February 19, 2007 at 08:33 PM
58.  54
Can you resync the Treo to another computer? Do you have another computer with you (i.e., a laptop)?
Posted by: Bob Timmermann | February 19, 2007 at 08:36 PM
59.  54 Perform a hard reset, then re-sync with your desktop to restore all your data.
Posted by: Daniel Zappala | February 19, 2007 at 08:36 PM
60.  Tell it to stop sulking.
Posted by: Steve | February 19, 2007 at 08:37 PM
61.  You think he won't be able to get at least 5/75 in 2010? Getting a longer contract as soon as possible is the least risk averse strategy, but not necessarily the best one. Even if he only sticks out one or two of the three remaining years, I don't think it's a lock that he'll opt out.
Posted by: Andrew Shimmin | February 19, 2007 at 08:38 PM
62.  Jon, did you do the obvious, like do a hard reboot? Treo's use Windows, right? Who knows what may have hit it then. I can ask someone on my staff who has one if he's seen anything like that. Is there a way to go back to the original settings?
Posted by: Marty | February 19, 2007 at 08:40 PM
63.  How do you do a hard reset/reboot. And no, I don't have a laptop with me today.
Posted by: Jon Weisman | February 19, 2007 at 08:44 PM
64.  On my blackberry, you do it by taking the battery out while it's turned on, then put it back in.
Posted by: Marty | February 19, 2007 at 08:46 PM
65.  Soft Reset
Soft resets are a kind of general purpose reset, like rebooting a pc. This turns your device off, clears out anything that might be hung, and starts it up again. It is a soft reset you experience when your Treo suddenly turns itself off and automatically restarts. Some applications cause a soft reset after installation. Some just restart, and some let you know they will need to restart, please tap the button.
A soft reset can be performed by simply removing the back cover and letting the battery lose contact for a moment. If this fails to reset your Treo 650, you can poke a paperclip into the reset hole found under the battery. Several utilities also offer a soft reset feature from the software including ZLauncher and Initiate.
Warm Reset
A warm reset is used when something is causing your Treo to act funny. You can sometimes use it to avoid That Endless Loop Thingie ("TELT"). A warm reset is like going into Safe Mode on your pc.
To perform a warm reset, initiate a reset (via software, or removing the back cover), and hold the up arrow on the 5-way navigation pad as the Treo turns back on. (Note that on the 650 and other NVFS devices, YOU MUST HOLD THE UP BUTTON PRIOR TO INITIATING THE RESET). Hold the up button the entire time until the main Phone screen is displayed. At this point you can check the 377 error log and remove the software causing you problems if you know what it is.
NOTE: When using Treo following a warm reset, the home key and built-in launcher might be inaccessible. Therefore, you may need the use of an uninstallation app, an alternative launcher and/or file management tool to delete the problematic file.
Hard Reset
When all else fails!!! A hard reset will erase everything you have on your Treo (excluding what's on the ROM, or what you have on your SD card). Do this only as a last resort and ensure that you have BACKED UP your data beforehand.
To perform a hard reset, start your reset in any of the ways mentioned above. This time, press and hold down the red phone button until the Palm screen appears. When the Palm screen appears, let go of the red phone button. You will then be prompted (in many languages) to press up to erase all data, or down to abort. You will want to press the UP to complete the Hard Reset. Your Phone will reboot and start up with the Language Selection.
Posted by: Bob Timmermann | February 19, 2007 at 08:47 PM
66.  As Jon tries these various methods, we are like the people in NASA in Mission Control waiting to see if the capsule makes it through the ionization blackout.
"There will be no communications for two minutes. Then we'll know ..."
Posted by: Bob Timmermann | February 19, 2007 at 08:50 PM
67.  Jon's Treo slips the surly bonds of Earth to touch the face of Choi.
Posted by: Greg Brock | February 19, 2007 at 08:52 PM
68.  Go Jon go!
Posted by: Bob Timmermann | February 19, 2007 at 08:53 PM
69.  Let's light this candle!
Posted by: Greg Brock | February 19, 2007 at 08:53 PM
70.  On a similar note, does any of the posters who live in L.A. county know a reliable watchsmith? I have an heirloom watch from the 40's that needs at least a crown replacement and don't have a watchsmith I trust with a valuable watch. I'm willing to travel.
Posted by: Marty | February 19, 2007 at 08:54 PM
71.  I'm on the edge of my seat! And I don't even know what a "Treo" is!
Posted by: D4P | February 19, 2007 at 08:55 PM
72.  70
I heard about a guy named Sylar who was handy with watches, but he's based in New York.
Posted by: Bob Timmermann | February 19, 2007 at 08:57 PM
73.  I may be stupid for not realizing that taking the battery out would fix the problem, but at least I have friends online.
God bless the Internet, the cause of and solution to all of life's problems!
Posted by: Jon Weisman | February 19, 2007 at 08:57 PM
74.  71
A Treo is a PDA/cellphone that is Windows based.
Posted by: Bob Timmermann | February 19, 2007 at 08:57 PM
75.  70 I would say Allen and Gary's Jewelers in Old Town Torrance, but I heard they were closing after thirty years.
If they're still open, I can't recommend them enough.
Posted by: Greg Brock | February 19, 2007 at 08:58 PM
76.  73
No man is a failure who has friends online
Posted by: D4P | February 19, 2007 at 08:58 PM
77.  But he's willing to travel if you're on the list.
Posted by: Steve | February 19, 2007 at 08:58 PM
78.  74
Now I'm really excited! And I don't even know what a "PDA" is!
Posted by: D4P | February 19, 2007 at 08:58 PM
79.  And a hearty LOL to 72.
I'm back in business, baby!
Posted by: Jon Weisman | February 19, 2007 at 08:59 PM
80.  78
Personal Data Assistant
Posted by: Bob Timmermann | February 19, 2007 at 09:00 PM
81.  Personal Data Assistant
Oh, I guess I still call those "secretaries," just like I catch myself saying "stewardess" instead of "flight attendant"
Posted by: D4P | February 19, 2007 at 09:03 PM
82.  We fixed his gadget for all mankind.
Posted by: Greg Brock | February 19, 2007 at 09:04 PM
83.  Excuse me, Personal Digital Assistant
Posted by: Bob Timmermann | February 19, 2007 at 09:04 PM
84.  75 Thanks! I'll see if they are still around. I use to live in Torrance, so I know the area. I used to use this old Norwegian guy in Glendale that had piles of parts lying around in his shop and he wore these coke-bottle glasses from years of squinting at small watch parts. He was great, but he died awhile back. My watch is one of those old-fashioned ones that's square and has a separate second dial at the bottom. I'm reluctant to take it to just anyone.
Posted by: Marty | February 19, 2007 at 09:05 PM
85.  Now when Jon's car has problems, he'll open the hood and take out the battery. Much hilarity will ensue.
Posted by: Bob Timmermann | February 19, 2007 at 09:06 PM
86.  84
Did he have his head sliced open and the brain removed?
Posted by: Bob Timmermann | February 19, 2007 at 09:07 PM
87.  86 Only after I'd gotten everything I needed from him.
Posted by: Marty | February 19, 2007 at 09:08 PM
88.  Jim Tracy had piles of parts lying around his shop?
Posted by: Steve | February 19, 2007 at 09:09 PM
89.  85 - I've done worse.
Posted by: Jon Weisman | February 19, 2007 at 09:12 PM
90.  84 My contacts in Torrance are running covert ops right now, but there's a very good chance that the store is closed down. I'll know more tomorrow.
It's a shame, because it was one of the great jewelers/repair/small businesses in town.
Posted by: Greg Brock | February 19, 2007 at 09:13 PM
91.  I have an old Hamilton watch from the 1920's that belonged to my great-grandfather. Allen and Gary fixed it. It's also one of the old square watches with the separate second dial at the bottom.
The watch has a great story that nobody would care about.
Posted by: Greg Brock | February 19, 2007 at 09:16 PM
92.  I once had my car break down on the eastern edge of Culver City. It was late at night and I was a student, so I didn't bother having it towed to my apartment. The next morning I had a friend take me to a parts place to get the replacement for the hose that had burst, and I returned to my car. Discovered that my window had been broken and both my battery and stereo were stolen. I did manage to replace the broken hose all by myself though!
Posted by: Daniel Zappala | February 19, 2007 at 09:17 PM
93.  Mine's a Mido. It's Swiss. It was a first anniversary gift from my mother to my father.
Posted by: Marty | February 19, 2007 at 09:17 PM
94.  Mine doesn't have near the story that Bruce Willis' watch did in Pulp Fiction.
Posted by: Marty | February 19, 2007 at 09:19 PM
95.  My watch didn't spend any time in cavities, but it did spend a Winter under three feet of snow in Depression-era Iowa.
Posted by: Greg Brock | February 19, 2007 at 09:20 PM
96.  under three feet of snow in Depression-era Iowa
In a religious compound on the outskirts of Des Moines...?
Posted by: D4P | February 19, 2007 at 09:23 PM
97.  96 It belonged to my great-grandfather, Orvis Irwin, who (I hear) is a pretty big deal in the field of infant development and child psychology. He wrote a couple books, and is cited a ton in journals.
He was also a mailman, where our story takes place...
Posted by: Greg Brock | February 19, 2007 at 09:27 PM
98.  I have a friend from Fort Dodge Iowa, and LAT has a wife from there.
Posted by: Marty | February 19, 2007 at 09:27 PM
99.  74 NO. You are misinformed. A Treo is not (necessarily) Windows-based. The Windows Mobile OS is a new option for the Treo 700. To begin with the Treo was only Palm-OS based. Palm OS Treos can sync to either Windows or Macs.
I have a Treo 650 I swear by. It is Palm-based, and syncs with my Mac G5.
Posted by: berkowit28 | February 19, 2007 at 09:34 PM
100.  99
Thanks for the clarification.
Posted by: Bob Timmermann | February 19, 2007 at 09:52 PM