Scully Guy

There are numerous priceless moments in "Bluetopia," which premiered Saturday night at the Pacific Design Center, so many that you really are going to have to go buy it. (The DVD, not the blue whale building.) Director Tim Marx successfully crafted an outward review of the most successful Dodgers  season in 20 years with behind-the-scenes views of the players and, most prominently, really compelling personal stories of Dodgers fans across the cultural spectrum.

Rockies at Dodgers,
1:10 p.m.
Today's Estimated Lineup

Rafael Furcal, SS Orlando Hudson, 2B Manny Ramirez, LF James Loney, 1B Russell Martin, C Andre Ethier, RF Matt Kemp, CF Casey Blake, 3B James McDonald, P

That range was reflected in the audience attending the premiere, which mixed players (Clayton Kershaw, Matt Kemp, James Loney, Andre Ethier and, fresh from pitching a winning six innings in the afternoon, Chad Billingsley), executives (Ned Colletti, Josh Rawitch, Charles Steinberg), broadcasters (Charley Steiner, Rick Monday, Jaime Jarrin, Ken Levine, Josh Suchon), writers (Tom Hoffarth, Alex Cora of Sons of Steve Garvey, Robert Daeley of the Trolley Dodger) and even organists (Nancy Bea Hefley, whom my wife was able to say some nice words to after the film) with fans of the team, some featured in the film, some there to just enjoy the ride. While you'll find all these people at different parts of Dodger Stadium at any given game, you'll rarely find them assimilated as one cohesive group. 

My wife and I sat within eyesight of Ethier, Billingsley and Kershaw, and throughout the movie I found myself looking for their reactions, wondering whether they found the ongoing display of rabid fan worship endearing, baffling or scary. I can't tell you what they were thinking, but they certainly seemed to smile more than they shook their heads, and I got the sense they found at least most of it gratifying. In the movie itself, Kemp has a scene where he goes to True Blue Tattoo, a shop operated by a Dodgers fan whose love for the team could hardly be more intense or devout, and Kemp seems completely comfortable and happy there. That doesn't mean the players might not scratch their heads at the fans sometimes, but you did get the sense that in general, they get it.

My curiosity (read: insecurity) about perception probably increased after my appearance in "Bluetopia." How to describe myself? The word "rube" crosses my mind. While being interviewed in my car as I drove to Dodger Stadium to meet Vin Scully in person for the first time, I get so preoccupied with my thoughts that I miss a turn on the route to the ballpark that I've been taking for around 20 years. My attempt to complete my thought about Scully while also making a navigational correction leads to several seconds of silence (watching it, I felt like I was bringing the movie to a halt), followed by an inexplicable Church Lady-like "Ain't that special?" When Rawitch, Levine and Suchon saw me after the movie, the big question on their minds was "What turn did you miss?" I am Lost Guy.

But if that was the price to pay for having a permanent video document of my meeting Scully, then by all means it was worth it. That part is really fun, and there's also an almost beautiful shot, almost in silhouette, of Scully talking to me in his broadcast booth, taken from behind us, that I will have framed in my mind forever. I am Lost Guy (not to mention Receding Hairline Guy), but I am also Scully Guy. Not a bad role for my feature film debut.

* * *

Speaking of Dodgers broadcasters, Hoffarth has a feature today in the Daily News about Eric Collins, the Dodgers' new No. 2 TV announcer.

* * *

Scott Elbert, recalled Saturday when Cory Wade went on the disabled list, has been starting in the minor leagues this season. So it's logical to assume that he'll be James McDonald's shadow when McDonald makes his second start of the season -- an assumption buttressed by Ramon Troncoso's late-inning appearance in Saturday's victory. McDonald has had three great innings this season and one horrible one -- the Dodgers certainly hope he can string a longer solid outing together, but Elbert has the endurance to step in early if need be. There's also an off day Monday, which means that Jonathan Broxton, who rested Saturday after sailing through 23 pitches Friday, could easily come in early again.

The Dodgers bullpen certainly remains in flux at this point, given Wade's injury and the revived uncertainty about Hong-Chih Kuo. So allow the team some time to figure things out.

* * *

Update:Phil Gurnee of True Blue L.A.has a dissenting view of "Bluetopia." I do agree that it was a no-warts look at the Dodgers, and also that seeing some of the material about the players made you want more of that.

Comments

[D4P]

While being interviewed in my car as I drove to Dodger Stadium to meet Vin Scully in person for the first time, I get so preoccupied with my thoughts that I miss a turn on the route to the ballpark that I've been taking for around 20 years

Like I said: being talked to/at when you're driving is not a good thing.

[Bob Hendley]

Just the notion of meeting Scully reminds me of when I was three years old and Santa Claus came to my house. I was so excited that I scared myself and ran off crying to hide.

[Who is Karim Garcia?]

Yikes. The shrink bill on that must be through the roof, Bob.

[Bob Hendley]

I have learned to live with my Santa fetish. Now, Scully, on the other hand...

[NorCalDodger]

Baseball Tonight reports that the Dodgers lead the MLB in walks and opponents' batting average.

I'll take it.

[overkill94]

We're also leading in run differential at +30, one ahead of the streaking Marlins

[I Love LA]

I'm Baaaccccck

[I Love LA]

But I dunno how to use this thing, how do I even log in? I see the veteran poster has a link on their name but not mine?

[Bob Hendley]

Great! Any thought on the seven game winning streak?

[Bob Hendley]

Its a typepad thing.

[Doug Minnick]

So what turn did you miss, Jon?

[berkowit28]

The preview information for Bluetopia made it sound as if it might be rather too much like something made by, or at least for, the Dodgers' PR department. On the other hand, the preview information actually came from that very same PR department, so the real film might have had a different character, more layered. What did you think, Jon? Too pollyanna, like Phil on True Blue LA says? No mention of any fan concerns, as he says (like the rise in parking fees, for example) makes me wonder, or maybe is off the point.

On the other hand, contrary to Phil, I can imagine that a movie about a group of fans, rather than the players, could be very interesting if it were well done. The film needn't be specifically made *for* fans (who would be more interested in the players, like Phil is), but for a general audience, who might well be intrigued by fans' interactions with the team. (Unlike McCourt's flat-footed idea of a "statue to the fans", that he once expressed to a group of DT'ers, a movie about fans could well be fascinating.) I'm sympathetic, though, to the idea that the film-makers might not have made the best use of their unprecedented access to the team's offices and lockerrooms.

I'll have to see it for myself, but I really am interested if you think that too much generosity on the part of the Dodgers to the filmmakers may have led to too rose-tinted and bland a film. You're also a film critic, and you've chosen not to take up too much access provided to the press (unlike your predecessors on this site, the Kamenetsky brothers) to maintain an objective distance, from the Dodgers, so I'm sure it's an issue you must have considered. Actually being in the film makes it difficult for you to be outside it as well, but I'm sure you must have some thoughts about it as a documentary vs. publicity?

[Ken Noe]

Ned's interested in Mark Mulder?
http://tinyurl.com/dk6phc

[D4P]

Ned's interested in Mark Mulder?

Extremely.

[VA Blueblood]

Mulder? My take on this high-risk/high-reward, oft-injured, pitcher is the same as with Pedro: pay him per start. If he's healthy, great. If not, don't get stuck holding the bag.

[VA Blueblood]

On another note, what are the odds we see Ethier hit in front of Manny again today?

[Jon Weisman]

I think "Bluetopia" simply doesn't have the mission to be a hard-hitting examination of the Dodgers. That's very clear from the outset. I'm not going to judge it on something it wasn't aiming to do.

However rewarding its mission is, is up to the viewer, but I would say the film succeeds on setting out to do what it wants to do. It's rose-tinted, but I don't think it's bland.

[Alex41592]

Johnny Damon batting third for the Yankees.

[VA Blueblood]

are the yankees still paying Pavano's salary? I think it would be hilarious if both starters in the same game were on the yankee payroll... and earning a combined total that is more than the entire payroll of the Marlins or Rays...

[jpg]

I sat behind the lead guy and owner of True Blue Tatoo. HIs mom and entourage took up the entire row. While Jon watched the players reactions I watched his and he was like a kid in a candy store. From the film you can till he's a great fan and his parts in the film were interesting. As I said in my review many fans may enjoy this type of perspective, for my wife and I it was okay but I didn't get the tingle I get when I've seen something I want to share with others about. For a magical season the storyline didn't work for me but it may work for a number of you. It certainly had it's moments just not enough of them when I consider how much material they must have had to work with.

[NorCalDodger]

I'm looking forward to watching the Lakers on the screen and Dodgers Gamecast on the laptop today.

[SaMo]

Apologies for getting the Dodgers v. Rockies info wrong. I was only repeating what I heard Vin say early in the broadcast. See, Vin does make mistakes.

In looking at the schedule, however, it's apparent that the Dodgers won't have too many difficult games in September again.

[underdog]

Ditto, NorCal. This is quite a sports day. Lakers playoffs, Dodger game, huge Sharks-Ducks game.

And yet I already need a nap. (Early Sunday AM soccer games on an already hot day will do that to you.)

[Phenomenal Smith]

I think there's no better way to celebrate such a big sports day in L.A. than by going to work and sitting three floors below ground for five hours.

[underdog]

Dear Chan Ho,
Please stop pitching poorly. Thank you.

Best,
The Dodgers

[D4P]

I think there's no better way to celebrate such a big sports day in L.A. than by going to work and sitting three floors below ground for five hours

I thought your office was upstairs...

[Phenomenal Smith]

I have two offices.

Padres already up 3-0 on the Phillies.

[underdog]

Poor PS. I'm sure you'll get some nice, juicy questions from the general public to make up for it, though.

[twerp]

A tidbit that maybe hasn't been posted.

Old friend faceoff Friday night: Cody Ross v. Joel Hanrahan. Result: HR, Ross (2),
BS, Hanrahan. Marlins 3, Nats 2. Que sera sera.

Couple items from Saturday in baseball history--

1923--A record crowd of 72,400 watched Babe Ruth homer to power the Yanks over the Red Sox in the first game at Yankee Stadium.

OK, but isn't the first game in a stadium the attendance record by default? Guess they meant most ever to view a Yankee game, period.

1945--In his first major league game, one-armed outfielder Pete Gray went one for four as his St. Louis Browns beat the Tigers.

[Bob Hendley]

Don't we all follow sports below ground? Kind of our MO, no?

[Phenomenal Smith]

I hope the guy who wanted to find out how the Pope got his job comes back.

Everyone knows how that works now:

Craigslist.

[BHSportsguy]

Lots of kids and 90 plus degree temps will lead to lots of frozen lemonade sales and earlier exits for families at the ball park today.

For those going to game and wanting to avoid news of what is happening at Staples, avoid looking at Dodger Vison between innings, that is when they usually update what is going at Laker playoff games.

The Laker game will be probably coming out of halftime when James McDonald is pitching in the first inning.

[underdog]

RIP, author JG Ballard.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8007331.stm

[Michael Green]

Jon, when I met Vin, I just stood and stared at him. I was nine at the time, and he had just said, "So you're the guy who wants my job!" But I'm now 44, and I suspect I'd still stare at him the same way!

[jpg]

"The Dodgers signed Tiffany to a minor league contract this week, the LA Daily News reports. Tiffany, a former 2nd round pick of the Dodgers in 2003, was released by the Rays three weeks ago. He's struggled to return from rotator cuff surgery but apparently the Dodgers deemed him healthy enough to roll the dice. He'll work in extended spring training for now."

Cool

[brent knapp]

As I mentioned a few days ago, and is still the case, the dodgers lead MLB in batting average allowed, on base percentage allowed, and slugging allowed. This, of course, means they lead MLB in OPS allowed. We may only be two weeks into the seasons but it is certainly an impressive start.
I think many people embrace OPS, or better yet, OPS+, as the single best stat to understand the value of a hitter. I'm surprise that OPS allowed isn't used more often as a stat for pitchers. Isn't OPS allowed a good indication of a pitcher's ability?
Whether or not anyone agrees with me, does anyone know where OPS+ stats for team pitching can be found?

[BHSportsguy]

For those wanting an alternative to Vin, Charley and Rick, don't forget, today is the first broadcast of the Jr. Dodger Fans.

http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/la/fan_forum/jrdodgers.jsp

[twerp]

Few more tidbits. Grounds for even more excessive Rule 1 violations at Bronx Banter since no doubt they're aware of it==

ERAs for Saturday's 5 Yankee pitchers after the live batting practice:

Wang-- 34.50
Clagget-- 43.20
E. Ramirez-- 8.44
Veras-- 8..53
Marte-- 21.00

Carried to a statistical conclusion, a theoretical opponent would score only 115 runs in a game.

Um, guys, you don't seem to understand quite yet. It's really high batting averages that are good, not ERAs.

[Ollie]

wow...adrian knocks one out, 4-0 SD

[Trolley Dodger]

My review with photos here:

http://www.trolleydodger.com/2009/04/19/at-the-bluetopia-premiere/

[underdog]

The Yanks only scoring one run against Pavano must sting. Though they're threatening in the 6th.

[Humma Kavula]

I'm very excited this morning. Slept late as Bride of Kavula got up to take care of Spawn of Kavula. When I got up, I made pancakes. Spawn was crabby -- turns out she'd been crabby all morning -- so I asked her if she wanted to take a nap. Dicey proposition... but she said yes! Now she's been napping for almost 2 hours...

...meaning she'll wake up just in time to leave for the ballgame! (Yeah, we might be a little late. Oh well.) And when we get there, since she'll be well-rested, she should be in a pretty good mood and may even sit for some of the game!

Today's been a pretty great day for me so far, and with the ballgame on the horizon, it has great promise to get even better.

Oh, there she is -- gotta go!

[OhioVic]

VAB -

Looks like "no dice" on Ethier hitting in front of Manny today, but I agree with you. Ethier seems to hit better in front of Manny and I'd hit him 3rd and Manny 4th followed by Loney, Kemp and then I'd hit Blake 7th and Martin 8th.

That all said, hard to argue with the team's results so far, so maybe it's well enough left alone.

[Humma Kavula]

False alarm. Just a little shriek in the sleep. Spawn is still napping.

[VA Blueblood]

Does anybody have a good link to a clear, succinct definition of OPS+?

I get the idea, but I'm not sure I could explain it. And I want to be able to explain it.

[lonestar7]

Utley cuts it in half, 4-2 SD

[twerp]

Recent DT discussion of where the team ranks statistically leads to a question--

One thing I've always paid attention to is the ratio of IP/H. I believe a team's title chances are enhanced by a favorable ratio (well, duh) and have the impression but no proof that this is borne out by history, at least somewhat.

Currently the Dodgers have given up 72 hits over 105 innings, or +33. Best I can tell it's the MLB best. (Also very unlikely unsustainable.)

The question: is this IP/H ratio stat kept for teams and invididuals? If so, where available? I know about WHIP but this isn't quite the same.

[brent knapp]

OPS+, from The Hardball Times:
"OPS measured against the league average, and adjusted for ballpark factors. An OPS+ over 100 is better than average, less than 100 is below average."

[underdog]

Jazz aren't off to the best of starts. But at least "they're playing extremely hard," Jerry Sloan tells us.

[underdog]

The ABC announcers both said the Lakers are no better defensively this year than they were last year; they're just better offensively. I feel like that's wrong.

[Dodger Dude]

Why would you adjust your OPS to ballpark factors. You adjust your swing to ballpark factors, you don't factor excuses into stats for evaluating players.

[BHSportsguy]

Per T Jax and since ithis was posted 20 minutes ago, I guess this is today's lineup.

SS Furcal
2B Hudson
LF Ramirez
RF Ethier
1B Loney
C Martin
CF Kemp
3B Blake
RH McDonald

[Ollie]

Under, taking into account that we have bynum in the middle for the playoffs this year, that certainly makes better defensively

so yes, i feel like that is wrong as well

[underdog]

Yah, Ollie, that's obviously a key difference, since they were indeed pretty porous in the middle in the playoffs last year. Maybe they're just looking at the regular season, but even then I feel like they were better than last year, though definitely had their share of poor games on D. Anyway... I'll take this year's model.

[underdog]

Following on GameDay, the Yankees game is "Delayed (Replay)" -- first time I've seen that before. Posada homered, a 2 run dinger, so obviously that's being reviewed.

On GameDay it definitely looked like it was gone. (Heh.)

[BHSportsguy]

Teams are on pace to hit 400 home runs in New Yankee Stadium this year.

[underdog]

Home run counts, 4-3 NYY.

Phils within 1 after a Rollins homer, 4-3 bot of the 8th.

Underdog is hungry, lunch 1-udog 0.

[BHSportsguy]

I wonder how much playing at night will help or hinder that home run count. The Yankees have played their first 4 games in the Bronx sunshine.

[oshea2002]

Update on MLB.com - says the Dodgers are one of three teams "extremely interested" in Mark Mulder, who is about to return apparently.

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/

[MollyKnight]

Saito trying to close out Lester's gem in Boston. It's not looking good.

[berkowit28]

The Yankee replay was because a fan interfered with both the ball and the Clevand outfielder who might well have made the catch or deflected the ball. The home run should have been reversed, but wasn't. It's on TBS.

[BHSportsguy]

I was listening to the Boston broadcasters a week or so ago talking about Saito and their "analysis" was that Saito was now pitching in the Majors since the NL West is not real baseball.

[Ollie]

i wonder if itll be fairly quiet over at the ravine with the lakers mid game....if i had my way, id watch the laker game at staples then pop over and catch the last couple innings for free at dodger stadium....sadl though, im here in Dallas

[Blue Trek]

Raul Ibanez walk-off HR, phils beat the pods 5-4!

[DBrim]

The Dodgers were 6-0 when I wasn't able to watch the games for the past week (out of town, no internet).

I'm watching tonight. This may not bode well.

[Trolley Dodger]

DBrim -- if you watch *tonight*, it should be okay. ;)

I like the matchup on Gameday:

Dexter Fowler hates to face: Changeup

James McDonald out pitch: Changeup

[oshea2002]

Fowler swung at ball 4 there

[DBrim]

Trolley Dodger - East coast, was up nearly 12 hours ago to make a flight. It feels like night.

[OhioVic]

VAB -

Here 's the equation for OPS+ :

OPS+ = 100*(OPB/*lgOBP + SLG/*lgSLG-1)

where lgOBP is the park adjusted OBP of the league and lgSLG is the park adgjusted slugging % of the league.

Dodger Dude makes a good point on this though, which I think is a flaw in this stat. The adjustment for the park partly offsets the guy who performs well that makes that park's OPS higher in the first place. In other words, it penalizes all players who play for the Cardinals, partly because Albert Pujols performance inflates the performance of the park. This is bogus logic, in my mind which makes me dislike this stat.

[underdog]

Trolley, how about this one on GameDay?

Garret Atkins
Loves to face: Cutter
Hates to face: Cutter

[BHSportsguy]

Nice work by James.

[OhioVic]

Good start for JMac.

Looking at the Padre-Phil game, I guess they decided they needed to give Heath Bell a day off......

[BHSportsguy]

The youngsters are cool to listen to.

[OhioVic]

Good AB for Furcal. Never swung at a pitch

[DBrim]

Somewhere, Jeff Kent is yelling at his TV.

[OhioVic]

O-Dog !!!! How about just offering this guy a contract extension right now ? Wow !!

[D4P]

I guess the incentives in Hudson's contract are having the desired effect.

[BHSportsguy]

The analyst does a shout out to Ethier because his older brother went to the same high school as Ethier.

[Trolley Dodger]

If my eyes didn't deceive me, Todd Helton's fave was a 4-seamer, and his hate was a fastball. Hmm.

[bigcpa]

That Ethier extension just keeps getting pricier.

[Trolley Dodger]

Same thing with Russell's pitching love/hate. So I guess I shouldn't be making any pitching decisions based on Gameday? Bah!

[Bluebleeder (Arnold B.)]

love your report on Bluetopia Jon...

[BHSportsguy]

The youngster's comment on the attempted double steal was that was a play you have not seen since the Babe Ruth/Lou Gehrig days.

[underdog]

BH, is his name Benjamin Button by any chance?

[OhioVic]

Let's see if McDonald can do something with a couple runs to hold up.

[Bluebleeder (Arnold B.)]

Just read that the Dodgers signed Tiffany to a minor league contract (nice!) I'm just wondering out loud here. Why is it SO much more difficult to come back from shoulder surgery then it is from elbow reconstructive surgery.

[Bluebleeder (Arnold B.)]

Lambo on the fast track. WOO!

[Bluebleeder (Arnold B.)]

The only theory I can come up with (an uneducatated theory at that) is that there is a lot more going on in the shoulder then in the elbow?

[Bluebleeder (Arnold B.)]

man. McDonald's pitches were all over the place.

From 91mph to 85mph. he isn't locating his pitches at all either.

[BHSportsguy]

The kids are high school seniors, Nick Berman and Jake Reiner (son of Rob and grandson of Carl) alternating play-by-play duties.

[berkowit28]

Whew.

[Sam DC]

In the tied-in-the-ninth Nationals game, Bob Carpenter just did a little joke:

"Babe -- er, Cody Ross -- up next if it goes that far."

[Sam DC]

Babe just smacked a bases clearing double to the wall . . .

[Bluebleeder (Arnold B.)]

this is just INSANE MAN. Orlando Hudson is a beast!!

[underdog]

ODog continues to rock.

[Gen3Blue]

Didn't I say all winter we should try to get Hudson?

[natepurcell]

It seems like Orlando's wrist is better.

[natepurcell]

To add, he isn't getting cheap, seeing eye singles. Hes driving the ball and smacking line drives everywhere.

[underdog]

Lakers up by 13 with 12 left in the game.

[Bluebleeder (Arnold B.)]

The pitchers mound, what purpose dose it serve?