Tidbits, minutiae and quarks

From the Sausage Factory ...

• This isn't really news, but Tuesday, Dodger Manager Joe Torre reconfirmed that Juan Pierre is the fourth outfielder after Manny Ramirez returns, according to Doug Padilla in the Daily News.
• Torre on Ramon Troncoso (via David Ely of MLB.com): "You can use him in the seventh to get out of a jam and pitch him in the eighth without a concern of, 'Is that too much?' "

• Writing for the Wall Street Journal, Tim Marchman thinks the Dodgers' lack of power and high percentage of victories in one-run games are reasons for concern -- hints they can't keep up their current pace of winning. I don't necessarily disagree, but I would have liked to have seen this explored with on-base percentage factored into the context.

• Joe Posnanski passes along this tibit from a reader: The Dodgers have already had 17 different winning pitchers this season, six away from the major-league record. Candidates to put them over the top include Travis Schlichting, Josh Lindblom, Victor Garate, Shawn Estes, Claudio Vargas, Jason Schmidt and James Loney.

• Hong-Chih Kuo is pitching again -- for Subway. Diamond Leung's Diamond Notes has the link to a TV commercial in Taiwan with Kuo showing off how multiple arm surgeries can't sideline him permanently.

• Braven Dyer in The Times, June 10, 1959: "Some of my devout followers are upset because Bob Lillis, a local boy with a following, was shipped to Spokane for somebody named Maury Wills, who quite likely won't be around when the season ends." 

• Chad Scully: a chip off the old block? Sons of Steve Garvey passes along a precious photo by Jon SooHoo. 

• The Daily Mirror has a fun photo of Chick Hearn from 1968. I'm far from the first to say this, but I was listening to the Lakers on the radio Tuesday night and thinking that the team has done well in finding Spiro Dedes to handle play-by-play. He's not Hearn, but he's articulate, informative and engaging. 

• Josh Wilker of Cardboard Gods has begun emerging from his book-writing isolation this week and has a piece today on Bobby Valentine. 

In the 1960s he had been a Young Superstar To Be, a perfect representative of the youth-driven, hope-laced times. In the 1970s he was damaged goods, a dream coming up short, a perfect representative of the sullen decade of aftermath. And so in the 1980s, he was reborn a brash, driven yuppie renegade bent on success by any means necessary, his quick rise to managerial success on the major league level like some baseball version of Wall Street meets Top Gun. Such a movie would have to have been called Top Step, after the name by which Valentine was known throughout baseball, a disparaging moniker referring to his gung ho habit of managing games while perched as conspicuously close to the action as he could be while still being nominally within the confines of the dugout.

Comments

[Eric Stephen]

I like Spiro Dedes a lot. He's the one of four Laker broadcasters I like.

I'm also rooting for a James Loney win this season.

Listening to the draft is surprisingly fun.

[bhsportsguy]

I agree with Eric and Spiro works well with Michael Thompson (whose kid was picked in the second round in the draft by the White Sox).

[Surfacetear]

Spiro is great, I think he will develop into an LA favorite if they handle him correctly.

[blue22]

Is "Money" still involved with the Laker broadcast?

[Eric Stephen]

blue, yes. Money does the pre- and post-game I believe, and also does stats for the radio crew during the game.

He could be seen courtside on camera last night.

[Tripon]

I thought J.T. The Brick took pre-game and post-game Lakers stuff.

[fanerman]

Is Selig still announcing the draft picks?

[Phenomenal Smith]

In the spirit of Eric Stults, it's Mychal Thompson.

[Craig88USC]

"I didn't kill nobody..." - Manny

Who did Manny kill then?

[Hollywood Joe]

I must say Chick is looking pretty MadMen with the ladies in that photo

I was born decades late, I would have loved that life

[Linkmeister]

Bob Lillis was the quintessential "good field no hit" infielder.

[berkowit28]

Nearly all the Dodger drafts since I left off - from 8th through 15th rounds - have been college players (except 2), including Andrew Suiter, a LHP from UC Davis, in, I think the 10th round.

[WasItTimsMittISaw]

ha ha...

who has a better chance of getting a win this season? schmidt or loney?

[underdog]

Good news everyone!

http://tinyurl.com/m86w7n

Futurama is going back on the air as a regular TV show starting next year.

[keith (LAT Daily Mirror)]

Thanks for the Chick Hearn link. We'll have some fun photos of Maury Wills coming later this week to mark the anniversary of his return to the Dodgers in 1969.

[68elcamino427]

I had a little cockatiel bird for 23 years. His name was Chickie Baby in honor of Chick Hearn. Whenever I passed by the bird's cage he would say "Hi Chick!".
When the bird wanted some attention or a treat he would loudly cry out "Chickie Baby - Chickie Baby!"
Chickie Baby was quite sociable and had good manners too.
When I gave him a treat like a sunflower seed or a bit of a cracker he would tilt his head to the side, look at me with one eye and say "thank you!"

Chickie Baby - Slammm Dunnnk!

[Jon Weisman]

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4246848

"The terms of his suspension restrict him from addressing reporters, ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney reports. Suspended players can work out with their teams, but they must be off the field at the time the gates open to allow fans access to the park. Suspended players also are not supposed to speak with reporters in a team's clubhouse during the term of a suspension.

"Major League Baseball has reminded the Dodgers of this and now considers the matter closed -- there will be no fine or additional suspension, Olney reports."

(Link via http://blogs.pe.com/prosports/2009/06/ dodgers-wednesday-morning-link-10.html)

[Old Dodger Fan]

Not to nitpick but "not supposed to speak with reporters in a team's clubhouse" does not preclude speaking with reporters elsewhere.

If he does a rehab there will be reporters and they will ask questions. Does he have to answer them outside the clubhouse or does the minor league clubhouse not count?

Or do the rules not apply during the rehab?

I'm sure confused.

[Phenomenal Smith]

I would assume that if a reporter had Manny Ramirez's phone number and called him up, they could talk all they want.

JC Romero certainly wasn't silent during his suspension.

[DL]

I was much more interested in the vintage photo of the "usherettes" at the Forum than in the photo of Chick Hearn.

[Craig88USC]

Now that we are less than 2 weeks away from Manny being eligible (June 23rd) to play some minor league ball - : )

He and his bosses might consider playing near his Pasadena condo (and Dodger stadium) by donning a 66'ers uniform for the following games:

25th, 26th & 27th in Lake Elsinore
28th, 29th & 30th home games in Arrowhead CU Park.

note: The 66'ers do not play 6/23 or 6/24 and travel to Visalia 7/1 - 7/3.

(Or Manny could always go play in beautiful Albuquerque to get in game playing shape.)

[Eric Stephen]

Seems like an odd rule about not speaking to reporters. I'd love to spend an hour or two discussing it with Joe Morgan, however. :)

[GoBears]

My wife spotted young Scully in the dugout last night after one of Ethier's HRs, I think. Saw the name first, and asked if he was related. I said I didn't know, might be, but that Vinnie would never say anything to draw attention. Then the young man turned around and there was no doubt.

I think it's great.

[Kevin]

The kid in the dugout was Vin's grandson. They mentioned it on the SD broadcast.

[john hale]

The resemblance is amazing for a generation removed but don't we need someone to get a microphone in front of young Scully? How genetic are vocal tendencies?

[Jonny (TAFKAJ)]

What does Juan Pierre have to do? Seriously folks.
(Reading that Torre confirmed that he is the 4th OF when Manny returns.)
You know, I hear people overlooking his contributions, talking of trading him at our first opportunity, etc. And, I don't understand it. Frankly, I believe those comments to be frustrating and quite foolish.

Please tell me what the problem is here...Outstanding athlete, exemplary work ethic, elite speed, great glove, productive at-bats, puts pressure on opposing pitchers and defenses, tough competitor.
Hhmm...Seems to me the only things lacking here are a strong arm (which seldom detracts from the Dodgers' chances of winning) and hitting for power. Maury Wills, Pee Wee Reese, Davey Lopes, Brett Butler, etc.
Many fine, fine players could be described in such a similar way...and, with his production and consistency?

Please people...put things in perspective....For each Matt Kemp home run comes dozens of horrid at-bats. For this 2 or 3 games of Ethier's heroics came the previous month of futility. Meanwhile for Juan Pierre...Steady as she goes...quietly, and under-appreciated....one play at a time.
Sorry for the long post.

[underdog]

Dodgers just picked a guy who deserves to throw his hat in the ring in the all-name team:

Stetson Banks.
OF from BYU.
http://www.byucougars.com/Profile.jsp?ID=2672

[fanerman]

I should work, but, it's simple. Kemp is better than Pierre. Ethier is better than Pierre. Manny is better than Pierre. It's nothing personal.

[Alex41592]

Pierre just happens to be on a team with three superior outfielders. That's it.

[Jon Weisman]

Jonny, it's this simple. Juan Pierre has a great work ethic but is not as good a ballplayer.

Steady as she goes? Pierre has a .494 OPS in his past 11 games. If you're going to mark Ethier down for his slumps, you need to do the same for Pierre.

[Jon Weisman]

Pierre does have a higher EQA than Ethier this season, and it's fine if you want to believe it's going to stay that way. I don't happen to believe it. It's nothing personal.

[Craig88USC]

Juan Pierre is a very valuable piece of the puzzle towards LA's 2008 WS quest.

Just not as a starter over Manny, Kemp & 'Dre although there is the DH in the WS when -
ALL 4 will start.

[Jon Weisman]

By the way, Kemp has taken over the team lead in VORP.

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/team_audit.php?team=lan

[Alex41592]

Where my block of wood? I know I have it here somewhere.

[fanerman]

Kemp is only 36th in baseball in VORP, but thanks to his great defense at centerfield, he's 8th in baseball in WAR (according to fangraphs).

[Craig88USC]

I knocked on mannywood Alex.

[Old Dodger Fan]

Jonny
I think in 2009 your point is well taken but if you look at his career the stolen bases (and don't forget all the caught stealings) don't offset the low OBP. His OBP for 2005 - 2008 was about .330. With no power and a low OBP he does not create enough offense. This year his OBP is .412 but is dropping. He is one of those guys that you can watch and think, "Wow, that speed sure helps the team a lot" but he makes too many outs and lacks power.

I like him too but I like him as a 4th OFer. He has been better this year than I expected but I'll take any of the other 3 for an everyday OFer.

[pdotmac1]

When Pierre was starting, it was easy to highlight the negatives.

Now that he's on the bench, it's easy to see his positives.

Regardless of all of that, he's simply not even close to being as productive as any of our 3 starting outfielders.

[Tripon]

Keith Law:

"Peter (Los Angeles)

Thoughts on Dodgers first pick Aaron Miller? LHP with minimal exp. Another snag by Logan White? Also odd the Dodgers sign Gould?
Klaw

I don't think Gould needs first-round money to sign unless his price spiked in the last week before the draft. That's a sleeper draft for me with him and Miller - Miller faded a little down the stretch and it may have depressed his value in a lot of eyes (including mine)."

[Tripon]

Keith Law:

"Peter (Los Angeles)

Thoughts on Dodgers first pick Aaron Miller? LHP with minimal exp. Another snag by Logan White? Also odd the Dodgers sign Gould?
Klaw

I don't think Gould needs first-round money to sign unless his price spiked in the last week before the draft. That's a sleeper draft for me with him and Miller - Miller faded a little down the stretch and it may have depressed his value in a lot of eyes (including mine)."

[blue22]

Keith Law answered a question on 2 of LA's picks:

Peter (Los Angeles):
Thoughts on Dodgers first pick Aaron Miller? LHP with minimal exp. Another snag by Logan White? Also odd the Dodgers sign Gould?

Klaw:
I don't think Gould needs first-round money to sign unless his price spiked in the last week before the draft. That's a sleeper draft for me with him and Miller - Miller faded a little down the stretch and it may have depressed his value in a lot of eyes (including mine).

[blue22]

Tripon: Beating me to the punch once was enough. Twice is just piling on :)

[Jonny (TAFKAJ)]

Alright....you guys make some very good points...
Jon, you're right, I should take into account Juan's slumps as well as those of Kemp and Ethier.

To me, he just seems to fit that Dodger mode of decades ago. You know, when the Dodgers (The Bums from Brooklyn) were that crafty team of speed, smarts, and grit in a town of the power teams of the the Yanks and Giants.
And, I think I just have to get comfortable with the fact that this team is not built nor managed that way in 2009....which is ok. (Funny, I used to say "bunt him over" in years past when watching the games....and now, I don't even bother as it is simply not the Dodgers strategy anymore.)
I do think that kind of baseball has become a "lost art" ... and for that, I think the game lacks something.
Also, I think we at least can all agree that it's a darn good thing we have him this year, given all the Manny drama. He has been very good out there for the club.

[bhsportsguy]

I don't think anyone disagrees about Pierre being an asset this year but his game also relies on other players behind him to play well too.

There is no question for at least a small period of time, 1962-1966, those teams did not hit a lot of home runs but I think it wasn't a conscious decision. A lot of it was due to the extreme pitcher friendliness of Dodger Stadium and injuries or trades of players like Tommy Davis and Frank Howard.

And its always interesting to me that this era is called the "Dodger way" because after 1966, the Dodgers did not win a division/pennant until 1974 and that team led the NL in home runs. Home runs certainly became a focal point of Tommy Lasorda's early teams. So while the power numbers have flucuated over the years, to point to a 5 year period of time and say that is Dodger way to play baseball.

[Jon Weisman]

I am immensely grateful for Pierre's contributions in May.

[Jon Weisman]

New post up top.

[DougS]

"To me, he just seems to fit that Dodger mode of decades ago. You know, when the Dodgers (The Bums from Brooklyn) were that crafty team of speed, smarts, and grit in a town of the power teams of the the Yanks and Giants."

Ummm.... I don't remember that era personally, and it's been a while since I consulted the Baseball Encyclopedia....

But weren't the Brooklyn teams of the '50's (i.e., the most successful ones) built around the bats of Snider, Campanella and Hodges, who could hit 30-50 home runs in the little bandbox of Ebbets Field, with Furillo, Robinson and even Billy Cox adding 10-20?

Pierre would have fit in the successful Dodgers teams of the '60's, when they relied on speed and pitching. But those teams were built for Dodgers Stadium as it was back then, a tremendously favorable pitchers park where you couldn't hit a lot of home runs anyway. IIRC, the fences were brought in in the late '70s and foul territory was significantly reduced more recently, so it's not as much of a pitcher's park now.

Therefore, it seems a bit useless to me to want the Dodgers to play the way the used to. They played their home games in different environments back then, which influenced both style of play and the stats they produced.

[Frip]

Anyone want to go to the game with me? I have an extra ticket. No charge to you. Loge level behind home plate. FYI, I'm not a big talker at games. I pretty much like to concentrate on the game. I may be able to pick you up if you need a ride.

If interested e-mail me at:

Martini131@hotmail.com

I'm not a creep. You don't be either.

Frip