New '100 Things Dodgers' book signing scheduled

Happy to announce that I will be signing copies of "100 Things Dodgers Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die" at Dodger Stadium beginning at 12:10 p.m. June 28, an hour before the Dodgers host the Seattle Mariners. Be sure and stop by!

• Phil Gurnee of True Blue L.A. has made the journey to the Dodger Stadium press box, with cohort Eric Stephen soon to follow. Congrats, guys -- this is your year. (Update: Sons of Steve Garvey is there today.)
• If you missed Joe Benardello's story of October 7, 1977 when it first appeared on Dodger Thoughts, make sure you catch it today on the Baseball Chronicle.
• Another great anecdote from Vin Scully, relayed by Sons of Steve Garvey.
• Former Dodger D.J. Houlton is happy pitching in Japan. Gary A. Warner of the Register catches up with him.

Comments

[keke]

Hi Jon,
Just wondering if there is anyway I could order an autographed copy from you.

Not today, but maybe in a couple weeks?

[LogikReader]

LAT'd from the previous thread:

dzzrRatt at about 2:30

There's clearly a lot of satire in "I Love LA", but through it all, and in the way he sings it, I can sense Randy genuinely is fond of his home. So its kind of like, "well check out how ridiculous this place is.... I wouldn't have it any other way."

My interpretation of the song was like this:

"I Love LA" is a way to celebrate the good and bad of LA at once. I think it shows, in only 3 minutes just how awful a place Los Angeles is, but how great a place it is, at the same time. You'll see beauty on one corner, and despair on the other. But it is home.

Whenever I'm there (this is just me now), I always feel at home. Its flawed, its odd, its intricate, and it's obviously quite wonderful.

[kene]

I should really get that typepad thing straightened out- I go by "kene" not keke

[Jon Weisman]

If you pay the postage, it can be done.

[kene]

Thanks Jon.
I will let you know.

[Kevin Lewis]

Man, I love Vin Scully. Has he talked about signing anything for next year? I would be happy with him staying on for just home games.

[underdog]

Since we were speaking of Daniel Murphy in previous thread...

>>Jerry Manuel told WFAN this afternoon that yes, Daniel Murphy will make his debut at first base tonight in the series finale against the Dodgers.

Really, what choice does the manager have? Manuel wasn't thrilled with Murphy after he dropped another routine fly ball in Tuesday's 5-3 loss to LA. And I think Murphy has the chance to be significantly better at first base than leftfield.<<

http://tinyurl.com/qt5kzm

[Kevin Lewis]

Are Zelasko and Sweeney broadcasting on 790 tonight?

[Dodger Dude]

Humma,

I'm sorry, but the statute of limitations for mock anthems discussion resolutions is three years.

I'm not getting the irony of the song, it seems pretty reality based and realistic to me. Randy's love for LA may not be as fervent as his love for Australia and body height, but it is obviously genuine. His depiction of LA and its general vibe basically nailed it, so why on earth would you doubt the sincerity?

[Phenomenal Smith]

Zelasko and Sweeney are online tonight. I don't think they're on 790. I don't think the sponsors would care for that.

[Eric Stephen]

Orel from Sons of Steve Garvey will be in the "blog spot" at Dodger Stadium tonight.

[Jon Weisman]

Yep - they've begun live-blogging - see update above.

[bhsportsguy]

Kevin, its on their website, go here to find out more information.

http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/la/community/win/index.jsp

[Humma Kavula]

Scott Schoeneweis's wife was found dead at her home this morning.

Rest in Peace.

Report here.

http://tinyurl.com/olml7p

[jpg]

Hudson is staring and so is Paul.
Mets

Reyes SS

Castillo 2B

Beltran CF

Wright 3B

Murphy 1B

Church RF

Castro C

Pagan LF

Hernandez P

Dodgers

Pierre LF

Furcal SS

Hudson 2B

Ethier RF

Martin C

Loney 1B

Paul CF

Blake 3B

Weaver RHP

[Drewjensen]

Jon, I’ve been meaning to let you know that I’ve been really enjoying your book. My wife is pregnant with twins (32 weeks tomorrow) and starting about a month ago I was trying to figure out what to read out loud to her pregnant belly so the "pending bambinos" can get use to their daddy’s voice. My wife surprised me on our anniversary with your book, though, and it became obvious what book that would be. We’ve been reading two chapters a night and there has been an added benefit of getting my wife a little involved with Dodgers history and she’s been taking a (very) slightly increased interest in them.

Anyway, thanks Jon for the effort. We all appreciate it.

[kene]

Free live broadcast by Zelasko and Sweeney.

Hey its better than nothing.

[john hale]

Cool

I have arranged my vacation to be in LA for that game and will be sure to bring my copy of the book for signing.

I am an M's season ticket holder but will definitely be rooting for the boys in blue on that day. The Dodgers refuse to visit Seattle so I have to come see them.

I just need advice for where to sit so that we have some shade. We got hot sitting in the sun at last weeks Mariner-Red Sox game and the gametime temp was only 64 degrees.

[Humma Kavula]

Paul is starting in CF, I see.

I predict a seventh-inning pinch-hit double for the Bison.

[hye-per-bowl]

Great to see Hudson in the lineup.
Last night was scary.
Anyone else think Paul should be in for Ethier instead of Kemp?
I understand he'll be out of his slump eventually but he needs a breather right now. The boy is struggling.

[Jon Weisman]

Didn't the "breather" theory get tested Sunday?

[Jon Weisman]

Thanks, Drew.

[bhsportsguy]

John Hale:

Affordable shade seats are the IF Reserve sections Rows M and up. How many will be going to the game?

[Hollywood Joe]

Guys - what goes down must go up. Stop getting caught up in the micro and be patient for the macro

I vote that we have a moratorium on all Ethier comments until he stinks and the team loses repeatedly, for a significant amount of time, and he can be identified as the cause, maybe the only cause.

Until then, be patient, when someone else cools off you just might find him heating up. Baseball is funny like that. You pick me up, I pick you up.

This habit we have gottent into of picking on the weakest current playing link of a WINNING team is rather unbecoming.

We are like buzzards trying to pick the bones off players who are far from dead.

[hye-per-bowl]

You're right, sunday was a breather, today should be a message to get his head together.

Its so hard to see him almost lost at the plate.

[MollyKnight]

What horrible news about Schoenweis' wife.

[Eric Enders]

Kemp isn't exactly lighting the world on fire either.

[john hale]

bhsportsguy

I am expecting at least 8 from both Seattle and LA based family.

I went to one game last year and used one of those online codes (candybar?) for cheap field level way down the line. I would do that again for the bargain price but not face. IR reserve would be fine for this day.

[Jon Weisman]

I endorse Hollywood Joe's 4:01 oratory. The impatience with slumping players just gets tiring as it goes from one to the next.

[Phenomenal Smith]

The WWE-NBA standoff for Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals has been resolved.

The WWE event will be held at ... Staples Center.

[hye-per-bowl]

HJ

There's not much to complain when we have the best record in baseball. It just feels like the person that has been most affected by Ramirez being out 50 games has been Ethier. Not because he can't do it, or doesn't belong as the main man-He is truly capable of being great- but it seems like he's trying to produce for two people right now.

[Tripon]

Kemp's defense is a a big part of why we're playing so well though.

[Alex41592]

That's the perfect ending to that story.

[john hale]

I love how the Dodgers have the best record in baseball yet as judged by a Sporting News writer only have one of the top 50 players in the game today. And thats Manny.

(sorry don't have a link)

And really is there anyone who is being greatly snubbed at this point? Maybe Juan Pierre ...

[Hollywood Joe]

Hye-per-bowl
You can speculate, I can speculate, we all can speculate but what does it get us? Nothing.

Who knows why he is struggling - could be he is freaked out about Manny, could be he stubbed his toe or some other injury too small to keep him out but big enough that he doesn't feel right, could be he is just unlucky, could be he has a swing problem that he hasn't found yet and needs to play through it....could be this is just part of the variance of 600 at bats for Andre Ethier.

It really doesn't matter what it is - the thing is, if you think he is able to produce on the macro you live through the micro with him.

The whole team won't be hot for the entire year.

You know, he it could be that he goes 3 for 4 tonight with a jack and we would have missed it because we have him riding the pine over yesterday. He still has the best chance to succeed today and tomorrow so we have to keep him in there for every today and tomorrow

HJ Axiom:
Baseball teams function best when under-managed

[DL]

I don't disagree with HJ's comment, but we're a bunch of Dodger fans who post regularly on a Dodger blog. By nature, we're caught up in the micro.

[bhsportsguy]

John Hale:

Look into the Coca Cola family pack, order for the Reserve level, that's the upper part of the Reserve section which should be in the shade.

One of the best values in all of sports is back! The Dodgers Coca-Cola Family Pack includes 4 tickets, 4 Dodger Dogs, and 4 Coca-Cola fountain products for as little as $68 - a savings of $36!

Pricing:

• Reserve - $68 ($17 per ticket)

You end up even after the Ticketmaster charge, with a free soft drink for buying your tickets this way.

[Marty Leadman (LAT)]

You have to rest everybody now and then, but I'm curious about why Kemp rather than Ethier. Has Kemp done particularly badly against Old Man Livan?

[Eric Enders]

john hale, I'm not sure what you're referring to, but the recent Sporting News Top 50 list:
(a) was voted on by a panel consisting mostly of retired ballplayers like Tony Gwynn and Greg Maddux, so you can't blame any writer, and
(b) also included Chad Billingsley.

[Jon Weisman]

We may be caught up in the micro, but the mission of this blog is perspective. And that often requires patience and the long view.

Micro or macro, sometimes the solution is just to let things be.

[Phenomenal Smith]

Kemp has faced Livan Hernandez once.

He struck out.

[Alex41592]

Ethier has very solid numbers against Livan Hernandez (6 for 14 with a HR). Plus, he just got a day off on Sunday.

[Michael]

Go Dodgers, I Love L.A.

[Tripon]

Micro or macro, sometimes the solution is just to let things be.

Posted by: Jon Weisman | May 20, 2009 at 04:26 PM

Like ignoring Journey in the middle of the 8th inning? :)

(Just kidding Eric Stephen :) .)

[Marty Leadman (LAT)]

So, you're saying Kemp is batting .000 against Livan? That's good enough for me.

[Marty Leadman (LAT)]

So, you're saying Kemp is batting .000 against Livan? That's good enough for me.

[Kevin Lewis]

Yikes, just seeing "4 Hot Dogs" made me not want dinner.

I am switching positions tonight from OF to SS for softball. I am a little nervous.

[hye-per-bowl]

"You know, he it could be that he goes 3 for 4 tonight with a jack"

I'm with you all the way on that thought.
I know Ethier's funk will be gone sooner rather than later, hopefully its tonight.

[Eric Stephen]

Kevin Lewis = Bill Russell

[Eric Enders]

Ethier before Photo Day at Dodger Stadium: .279/.426/.605.
Since: .248/.333/.358.

[Kevin Lewis]

Eric Enders found the curse. Quick, schedule another photo day and let Ethier sit on a chair like Santa...come one, come all

[Kevin Lewis]

Is a lifetime fielding % of .960 good at SS?

[quirkzoo]

Kevin, slow pitch softball or MLB?

[Jon Weisman]

New post up top.

[alex7]

The game is on a live feed at this site:

http://www.justin.tv/livetv2k9

L.A. feed with Scully.