Milano/Weisman

"Frost/Nixon," eat your heart out.

Dodgers at Brewers, 1:05 p.m.
Today's Lineup

Rafael Furcal, SS Orlando Hudson, 2B Manny Ramirez, LF Andre Ethier, RF Russell Martin, C Casey Blake, 3B Doug Mientkiewicz, 1B Juan Pierre, CF Eric Stults, P Lineup courtesy of Ken Gurnick.

No, I won't be uncovering any Watergate secrets, but I will be interviewing actress, clothing czar, blogger and now author Alyssa Milano about her new book, Safe at Home: Confessions of a Baseball Fanatic at this year's Los Angeles Times Festival of Books. This will take place April 25 at 1 p.m. on the UCLA campus, at the Festival's L.A. Times stage. 

The some-holds-barred interview is scheduled to last approximately 30-35 minutes, followed by five minutes of audience questions and then a book signing for both Milano and myself. So for those of you who can't make the May 2 Dodger Thoughts/100 Things gathering, here's an alternative. Come to see this once-in-a-lifetime pairing.   

* * *

Speaking of the May 2 gathering, I'll have more details shortly in a separate post, but I want to let you know that today I put a deposit down on tickets in the Infield Reserve that will be about $19 a piece.  So those of you who said yes already, I'll be asking for your money soon. Those of you who haven't committed yet, please do so soon if you want to sit with the group.

* * *

Below, the product description of Milano's book from Amazon.com. The first paragraph is a corker.   

Alyssa Milano is in love; she has been for some time. But the object of her affection isn't the subject of tabloid gossip or an actor; in fact, it isn't even a guy. It's a game, a game of nine innings that uses a ball made of leather and cork. A game called baseball.

Now in Safe at Home, Alyssa Milano, the mind behind the bestselling sports-clothing line Touch, tells the story about her lifelong obsession with baseball, revealing what the game has meant to her and why everyone should take a chance on nine innings. Like it does for so many of us, Alyssa's baseball story begins with a father. A native Brooklynite who scorned the Dodgers for abandoning the city he loved, her father was reunited with the team when he and his young daughter moved out west for a fledging TV show called Who's the Boss. It was then that Alyssa learned one of the fundamental truths of the game: No matter where you are, no matter how old you are, baseball connects you to your past.

As it turned out, the Dodgers were just the beginning. More than simply a book about the Dodgers, Safe at Home offers a view from the bleachers unlike any other, as Alyssa gives a fan's perspective on the heart-ache, headache, and joy that make every baseball season worth following. From arguing about the importance of baseball history to appreciating the quiet months of the off-season to criticizing Major League Baseball's response to the steroid scandal, Alyssa intertwines her thoughts about the game with stories from her life, bringing an intelligent, wry, and entertaining female voice to the world of baseball writing.

Throughout all the shifts in Alyssa's life—the madness of growing up a child star, having to navigate life's most awkward phases in front of the cameras—baseball has been her one constant, a distraction that was always welcome. Whether you're already a fan or you need some convincing, Safe at Home makes a compelling case for why baseball is and always will be America's game. The end result is a unique and unexpected book that is equal parts memoir, manifesto, and love letter to our national pastime.

Comments

[D4P]

First question:

Who's the boss?

[DL]

Some holds will be barred, but not all? Does your wife know about this?

[BHSportsguy]

And if the LA TImes website on their Book Festival is to believed, also appearing that weekend are Danica McKellar and Maurenn McCormick.

Its a Daughters in Sitcoms weekend at UCLA.

[Eric Stephen]

Q: Did Ms. Milano feel any pressure replacing Drew Barrymore in the sequel to Poison Ivy?

Q: Did she ever play the video game Double Dragon before starring in the movie of the same name?

[Jon Weisman]

"The Angels have shut down ace John Lackey because of elbow tightness, an injury that will knock the right-hander out of Friday's scheduled exhibition start and could jeopardize his opening-day start against the Oakland Athletics on April 6."

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blog/2009/03/elbow-injury-si.html

[Eric Stephen]

After seeing McCormick on the Larry the Cable Guy roast, it appears Christine Taylor has taken the permanent mantle of looking more like Marcia Brady than Marcia Brady herself.

[fanerman]

Alyssa Milano was in Double Dragon?

Gosh, I remember seeing the movie as a kid and being let down by it. Can't imagine what I'd think of it now.

[ollie]

Will you have copies of your book for sale that day? If so, i'd love to pick one up.

[Eric Stephen]

A quote from Milano's book (from Moondog sports, link probably NSFW):

Other women dream of papaya facials and mango pedicures. Give me a hot dog, a pitchers' duel and a late-inning suicide squeeze (risky tactic to score), and I melt like hot pine tar.

[regfairfield]

I was forced to watch a movie on Saturday where Steven Seagal takes on vampires.

I'm not sure if I'd rather watch that or Double Dragon.

[fanerman]

That quote is win.

[GScott]

""The Angels have shut down ace John Lackey because of elbow tightness, an injury that will knock the right-hander out of Friday's scheduled exhibition start and could jeopardize his opening-day start against the Oakland Athletics on April 6.""

Team cover-up to show him as injury-prone so they can get a 3 year extension not 5 years.

[BHSportsguy]

BTW Eric, I recall reading an earlier post by Jon this week that Alyssa Milano will be on DodgerTalk on Friday but I am guessing she will be on the phone and not live from Arizona.

[Rob McMillin]

>>Some holds will be barred, but not all? Does your wife know about this?<<

Half Nelson OK, full Nelson, barred.

[Rob McMillin]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nelson_hold

[Jon Weisman]

Josh Suchon said that Alyssa is scheduled for 6:15 p.m. Friday on his show.

[fanerman]

I see that Jon and Ms. Milano are on a first-name basis.

[Doug Minnick]

Why is Kemp out again today?

[BHSportsguy]

Kemp has Veteran's privilege?

[Jon Weisman]

Yes, you should be able to buy my book at the signing.

[D4P]

Manny y Manny, mano a mano.

[Rob McMillin]

Rich Thompson's wife writes about... well, what it's like to be the wife of a guy on the cusp of making the 25-man roster:

http://ashthompson.blogspot.com/

[Eric Stephen]

I know Kemp was out yesterday because he was getting new contact lenses. Not sure why he's off today. Perhaps eye irritation?

[Andrew Shimmin]

Five minutes of audience questions will accommodate one guy, and he won't actually get to a recognizable question in that time.

[Eric Stephen]

Ashley Thompson is no Sara Leach. :)

[Jon Weisman]

I had the same thought, Andrew. We'll see ...

[BlueCrewBruin]

regfairfield | March 25, 2009 at 12:44 PM

"Steven Seagal takes on vampires"

I'm not sure one could find another 5 words that, when strung together, reach that level of awesome.

[kinbote]

I would definitely root for the vampires.

[natepurcell]

"I'm thinking Steasburg sits at 96 at peaks at 98mph, you can't trust those radar guns...

More importanly, What does Nate think?"
______________________________

If this was directed towards me....

Personally, Strasburg, in delivery, build and stuff, reminds me of a souped up Justin Verlander. He is long and slender like Verlander, has a whip like arm action like verlander, doesn't really utilize his lower half w/ his deilvery like verlander, and has that deadly fb/slider combo.

Differences is that fb/slider combo is basically from hell wheras Verlander's just sits in purgatory. Also, it seems Strasburg possesses better control than Verlander as well.

In comparison of the three, Strasburg has the highest potential, but I also believe he has the highest risk injury. I like my pitchers to utilize their lower half more.

Price Vs. Kershaw is a toss up right now; both are stellar. But when Will Carrol says Kershaw lags far behind Price/Strasburg, I just chuckle under my breath, make fun of him inside my head, and move on with my life because hes delusional.

[cargill06]

I wonder how many wins Stults OPS'ing .650 in 75 PA's compared to another 5th starter OPS'ing .380 is worth?

[underdog]

Uh oh, Stults was looking good til someone wore their sunglasses at night and out of the ballpark.

[Hollywood Joe]

Lastest story on Dodgers site mixes in that Ken Howell just lost a toe to diabetes - I would be bummed if I lost a toe. I would be bummed if I had diabetes.

(Note to self: less beer and sugar for awhile - ok?)

Ken, we light a candle for your missing digit and wish the other 9 long and prosperous lives

I noticed looking at his career that it must have been cut short by injury - does anyone remember what forced Kenny to retire so young?

[regfairfield]

Cargill, hitting for pitchers is one of those things that only matter if they're really good or really bad, which is a shame, because I always liked the idea of making sure all your pitchers can hit.

Braden Looper hit around there last year, and it was worth about seven runs.

And Steven Seagal versus vampires is way, way worse than it sounds.

[Andrew Shimmin]

Jon- Will you be throwing candy bars at the audience? The more times Michael Scott breaks that out, the more I find myself siding with him--that is an awesome thing to do. Also, since the crowd will presumably be Dodger fans, I'd think about encouraging them to boo long winded questioners. It could be a carrot/stick thing, where anybody who gets his question out in the first sentence gets candy, anybody who decides to tell a big hairy story, by way of contextualizing his scary-important question gets booed.

[underdog]

Good to see Ethier have a good at bat, get a hit after some patience, maybe will help him relax a bit more. Also sounds like he hit a line foul that hit a fan in the head, in that at bat. Yipes. (They're getting medical attention.)

Just listening to the Brewers broadcast via MLB.com.

[underdog]

2 RBI double for Martin.

[Jon Weisman]

Hollywood Joe, I don't think this was Howell's first amputation, sadly.

I'm thinking Shimmin should conduct the interview for me. Or he could be the closer, if he's got the makeup for it.

[underdog]

The Brewers announcers are now talking about their favorite movies during the game. And they are not exactly Roger Ebert and Pauline Kael.

It's Filler Time!

[underdog]

The Sphinx, The Godfather movies 1-3, Braveheart and Top Gun are among their favorites in case you're wondering.

Fortunately, my lunch break is over.

[BHSportsguy]

What, no reference to any of the three fine "Major League" movies or at least a reference to "Mr. Belvedere?"

[D4P]

I'm thinking Shimmin should conduct the interview for me. Or he could be the closer, if he's got the makeup for it

Andrew has makeup for any and all occasions.

[Jon Weisman]

Joe Torre : Eric Stults :: David Wallace : Michael Scott

http://www.insidesocal.com/dodgers/2009/03/big-day-for-stu.html

[Andrew Shimmin]

I decidedly do not have the makeup for it. But, if it's on CSPAN, I'll be happy to shout at your audience members for you, in solidarity. It won't be on CSPAN, though, unless you can convince Patt Morrison to sit in. And I don't take her for the type who could be bribed with Whatchamacallits

[underdog]

Darnit, Stults not really helping his cause much today. He was just pulled, bases loaded after 2 walks and a hit, he leaves winning 2-1 though. But early.

[Fallout]

"The some-holds-barred interview"
Which holds are legal?

[Scrounger]

Rumor is the White Sox would take Gary Mathews if the Angels paid most of his salary. Would they take the same deal on Pierre? He has agreed to defer a lot of money. How about Dodgers pay him $4 million a year for the next 5 years and the Sox pay him the remaining ~$9 million over the remaining 3 years of his contract.

[cargill06]

The Isotopes may have just got their opening day starter.

[Jon Weisman]

Saving Delwyn Young:

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blog/2009/03/dodgers-wednesd.html

"Delwyn Young underwent an MRI exam on his irritated elbow. Results were negative."

Maybe he can turn that negative into a positive by April 6.

[Alex41592]

Bases loaded for Manny.

[Jon Weisman]

Sounds like the No. 5 starter spot is McDonald's to lose.

[BlueCrewBruin]

Jon Weisman | March 25, 2009 at 02:08 PM

"Or he could be the closer, if he's got the makeup for it."

Has anyone seen Shimmin's eyes? Does he have the eyes?

[Marty Leadman (LAT)]

Hollywood Joe - You need a toe? I can get you a toe. I can get you a toe by 3 o'clock. With nail polish.

[underdog]

In better news, Andre Ethier is no longer slumping, if he was.

[Alex41592]

Manny struck out looking on a Parra breaking ball after a good at bat. Riske came in for Parra and Ethier took him to the gap for a bases loaded clearing double.

[underdog]

And Vargas continues to stink, making Stults looking good by comparison.

James McDonald come on down!

[underdog]

So, we're not stuck with Vargas per se, right? They can cut him or see if he'll go to AAA if need be?

And it be needed.

[kinbote]

Come to think of it, my elbow's a little irritated too.

[Eric Stephen]

If the Dodgers cut Vargas before opening day, I believe he will be owed 45 days termination pay, or roughly one quarter of his salary. So about $100k.

If he makes the opening day roster, Vargas's $400k base salary is guaranteed and he gets a $50k bonus. He has up to $1.35m more on bonuses based on starts and days on roster.

[underdog]

Thanks. It's worth losing 100K vs spending more and having him be terrible on the roster. They have to be convinced he's going to get better if they decide to keep him around at that rate.

[GoBears]

Well then, let's hope there's some truth to those "McCourt is cheap" rumors.

Cutting Vargas would be "penny wise and pound wiser."

[Eric Stephen]

The one positive for Vargas is, entering today, he had 5 walks and 15 K in 14.1 IP. But he's given up too any HR, even in the crazy AZ wind.

[underdog]

Yeah, clearly the ball is riding out of there in that Arizona air, to be fair, but he's still not impressing at all. And they pulled him right quick. Stults didn't impress either, alas.

At ths point it's indeed looking like McDonald, or Pedro Martinez. ;-)

[Rob McMillin]

I decidedly do not have the makeup for it.

Never been into rouge or eyeliner myself.

[underdog]

Matt Son of Tim Wallach in to PH.

Brewers announcers don't realize he's the son of Tim, or how to pronounce his name for that matter.

[underdog]

And he hits into a double play. Welcome to the bigs, kid!

[underdog]

Josh Lindblom in to pitch! Okay, I'll keep listening for one more inning I guess.

[Gen3Blue]

Well. Vargas made sure Stults got charged with as many runs as possible, so I am delighted to see Malzone return the favor. The last few games remind me that even a good offensive team is at the mercy of it's middle relievers.(Also the near-bye Red Sox for many years of the last century made this point.)
I don't advocate trading anything valuable for middle relievers---these should be extra starters and youngsters.---but maybe letting them go for nothing and assuming you haven't had a pretty lucky run is a bit presumptuous!

[underdog]

Lindblom report so far: Walk. Ground ball base hit up the middle. Strike out (on "impressive pitch" according to Brewers' announcer). "He has a live fastball."

Then McGee hits a 2 run double over Paul's head. Whoops!

[underdog]

Then he K's Weeks.

[underdog]

And gets a ground ball out that Furcal made a nice play on, retiring the side. 2 runs and 2 Ks, that's a lot better than anyone else did today!

[Gen3Blue]

This "live" box is way behind which causes me to misinterpret it sometimes. I envision one guy trying to update the entire cactus league or more. He's probably at one terminal but it is more fun to picture him running up and down a large row. I remember this with Gameday last year in the early going. Hey didn't we have Gameday for some of spring training?

[Google Boy]

All games are available thru gameday, but its just as slow.

[D4P]

The link UT is to Gameday, which is just as far behind as the "Live" box score.

[LAT]

I had the opportunity to sit with a number of ML scouts when Strasburg pitched earlier this season in Compton. Generally, they were surprised by how smooth his motion was and mostly how easily he landed on his front leg. They were looking to see if his power would ultimately put too much stress on his body and the consensus was it did not. Although I try not to buy into all the hype (much of it being Boras generated), I think he really is a once in a decade prospect.

[BHSportsguy]

Which middle relievers did the Dodgers let go for nothing. Bill James Gold Mine (which for those who loved the old Abstracts) is now published in that abstract familiar size, wrote a note about Joe on how his ERA was deceptive, how many inherited runners he allowed to score, etc.

The key 2008 middle relievers were Park (who wanted to start and frankly, I don't believe anyone really wanted to see in that role again), Wade, Kuo, and Broxton. Beimel, Proctor, Troncoso all had moments. And Saito was hurt.

They brought back the ones that were the most likely to pitch well, my guess is that their plan was for McDonald to fill a spot in the pen but that may change.

[Google Boy]

update on the game?

[Gen3Blue]

I admit to being imprecise , probably wanting to rant. I just have a personal feeling it was a bit cavalier to not really investigate retaining Saito and Joe. It may have been logical clalculation, but I fear we may have been lucky with relief for a number of years. And the money is SO insignificant compared to the things they spend it on.

[trainwreck]

I would have liked to keep Saito. I think he was worth the risk.

How is Saito playing, because he injected stem cells into his elbow not a big story?

[Hollywood Joe]

I am probably ok with the decisions to lose Saito and Beimel. Even if Saito is healthy and nails, I would have bet on him not being right

I am probably not ok with the decision to bring on Mota

I am willing to wait and watch

[BHSportsguy]

Sorry, Gen3Blue, I shouldn't just take your comments out of context and it is too bad the Dodgers and Saito could not find somewhere in the middle to settle on. We'll never know if the deal with Boston ended up being close to what the Dodgers wanted to do but I could also understand not wanting to have yet another injured pitcher in camp this spring.

Beimel probably reached the end of his Dodger career when Scott Elbert was making crucial pitches in September.

The Angels are spending tons of money in their pen for Fuentes, Sheilds, and Oliver. So far, the Dodgers have been fortunate to have a pen be efficient and cost effective since Gagne left. I would no more be surprised if Lindblom and Elbert were in the pen on April 6th than if Jeff Weaver was there.

[underdog]

Google, Brewers up 11-8. Dodgers scored two on hit by Ardoin. Pitching has mostly settled down since then.

Lindblom pitched one more inning and got 'em down in order. He did well today overall.

[Gen3Blue]

BH I like having guys like Elbert and Lindlom get a look, especially instead of old vets. I worry if they catch on it may deter them from pursuing starting but that may be a stupid fear.
underdog--thats ahead of what I've got.

[regfairfield]

I'd like Elbert to prove he can throw strikes before we start giving him serious time.

[underdog]

I started listening to the radio broadcast on MLB audio, which is why I'm ahead of the sluggish box score.

JJ Hardy just teed off on Threets. Threets had retired the first two batters. Balls are launching out of there today.

[underdog]

Game is over, Dodgers lose 12-8, if anyone cares. And underdog gets back to work again.

[Google Boy]

Thanks u-dog.

[BHSportsguy]

Things to ponder about Spring Training, stats going into today.

11 out of the top 13 Spring Training home run hitting clubs are based in Arizona. Only Boston and Pittsburgh represent Florida on that list.

13 out of the top 15 leaders in Team ERA are in Florida, only the Angels and Cubs represent Arizona on that leaderboard.

9 out of the top 10 scoring teams are in Arizona, the last 11 teams in scoring runs are all in Florida.

[Gen3Blue]

My first thought is that the main variable between Fla./Ari. is humidity.

[BHSportsguy]

Part of the runs scoring variable could be games played but it doesn't appear to be that much of a difference this year.

[Gen3Blue]

Whats the altitude of Phoenix. That could figure.
Of course I rarely trust my first thought. Especially after receiving a bimp on the head.

[Phenomenal Smith]

Glendale, AZ is at 1152 feet above sea level.

[Hollywood Joe]

I have zero empirical data to support this statement but I am willing to go out a limb anyway

I greatly discount spring training stats as a predictor of regular season success for either the team or individuals - I just don't worry about it

[BHSportsguy]

Elevation of Vero Beach, Florida.

13 feet.

[Gen3Blue]

Aha, just as I thought!
Not quite in the 'Topes range though. I bet if JP agreed to play in Albequerque he could hit 10 homers. Greg Brock got about 40 though he rarely made contact. Or am I being unfair?

[Tripon]

"The Dodgers will appear on MLB Network's Thursday Night Baseball on April 23, when they take on the Astros in Houston. Games will be blacked out in each team's home TV territory, meaning LA fans can watch the game on an alternate channel.

Those out of the LA area will hear Matt Vasgersian and Joe Magrane call the game. "

I think Micheal Becker left out a 'not' somewhere, and that that the game will not be blocked out on FSN despite it showing up on MLB network.

http://blogs.pe.com/prosports/mlb/dodgers/

[fanerman]

Sometimes I forget that Greg Brock was actually a baseball player and not just the alias of a DTer.

[Gen3Blue]

Does Greg Brock the DTer have a new alias or just very occasionally appear as "Brock"?

[Phenomenal Smith]

In 1982, Greg Brock hit 44 homers at Albuquerque. He struck out 81 times and walked 105 times.

Brock didn't strike out that much in the majors compared to the sluggers of today. 81 was his MLB high and that was in his rookie season.

[KG16]

Jon, I can not even put into words how jealous I am of you.

[Gen3Blue]

Wow, Brock didn't look bad until he hit the major leaques!