Moving on from the Manny Ramirez saga

More than three weeks ago, Manny Ramirez donned a minor-league baseball uniform in New Mexico and played in a game. Nearly two weeks ago, he put on a Dodger uniform and did the same thing in San Diego, and then New York, and then elsewhere.

As anyone might have predicted, he was met with a mix of cheers, boos and studied indifference. The ratios between the three varied from place to place, but the gamut was successfully run.

Tonight, Ramirez finally comes to Dodger Stadium, and though the media will be there in force, there’s no rational reason to expect any legitimate news. The story is 99% played out. There will be cheers, boos and studied indifference. Ramirez will hit the ball or miss it – par for the course in a sport where even a dominant hitter usually does both.

Sure, something crazy might happen, perhaps more so because Ramirez is, well, an interesting guy. Not because of his suspension or the fallout from it.

Look, I’m no innocent in this – I’ve written post after post about Ramirez and his suspension; I live-blogged the living daylights out of his first game back. But this story is done.

In fact, entering the post-All Star portion of the season, there are a few stories about the Dodgers that have been cooked to a crisp. Low innings by the starting pitchers. Strain on the bullpen. The Midnight Ride of Juan Pierre. And yes, Matt Kemp batting eighth. All worth exploring, all Magellaned to the hilt.

Here are some topics I’m interested in learning more about:

• Amid all the focus on what’s wrong with the Dodger pitching, has the media sufficiently acknowledged what’s right with it?
• Is this not a perfect time to write about Clayton Kershaw’s tantalizing progress? If he were allowing five hits and two walks over six shutout innings, instead of the reverse, he’d be an outright sensation? How close is he to putting away more hitters earlier in the count? And how much do the Dodgers need to protect his 21-year-old arm in the second half?
• What will it take for Hiroki Kuroda to more consistently emulate his worldbeater form of last October?
• If it was worth sending a battalion of reporters to cover Ramirez’s return, is it really so crazy to want a first-hand account of the final stages of Jason Schmidt’s comeback? It’s not as if the guy’s some nobody.
• Can we talk about Andre Ethier in a context besides his mood or his relationship to Manny Ramirez in the batting order?

Heck, I’m willing to hear more about how Xavier Paul spent the past several weeks since his big major-league opportunity suddenly came and just as suddenly went. I’d like to talk to people close to Chin-Lung Hu or Tony Abreu as the star-crossed minor-league infielders try to make their way back to the bigs. I’d rather read 40 inches on Greg Miller before I read another 40 inches on the rechristening of Mannywood.

I could go on and easily name 50 good stories that any Dodger fan would be interested in. They might not bring about the national hand-wringing that Ramirez brings, but they’re all great baseball stories. At a time when the Dodgers are trying to write their greatest baseball story in 21 years, it’s not too soon to tackle them.

* * *

• Seventy years ago, via the Daily Mirror: The comedians vs. the leading men in a benefit game at Wrigley Field.
• Memories of Kevin Malone looks at trades for aces, many gone awry.

Comments

[stolenmonkey86]

"I could go on and easily name 50 good stories that any Dodger fan would be interested in."

Twice over, in fact. :)

[DL]

The Dodger story I'm interested in following right now: When will Orlando Hudson ditch that stupid double-earflapped batting helmet, and start wearing a single-flapped helmet like a real major leaguer?

I think I'm going to start a countdown blog.

[Bleacher Seats]

LATed, (I know, beating a dead horse)

How much extra money does a team end up earning when they win the playoffs and WS? Also, how much do you estimate they gain in ticket sales, concentions, parking, etc, from being in the heat of the playoffs in August and September? And, how many more butts would be put into seats if the Dodgers got Halladay?

Like the Manny decision, I think there is a business decision to getting Halladay, and I bet the profit far outweighs what the Dodgers would initially give up to get him.

Plus, there are the two type A's if we can't resign him. So we get 45-50 starts out of Halliday plus the extra playoff and WS starts and we have the best starting pitching staff in BB for two years and win two World Series'. Somehow, I think it is worth the cost of a couple of starters that are not Kemp, Bills, Brox, or Kershaw. (and maybe Eithier since I just like the guy).

[Eric Stephen]

When will Orlando Hudson ditch that stupid double-earflapped batting helmet, and start wearing a single-flapped helmet like a real major leaguer?

I can't believe I never really noticed this before!

[blue22]

Wow, I hadn't realized that Manny hasn't yet played at Dodger Stadium since coming back. That was a heckuva road trip.

[Craig88USC]

My 3 Dodger wishes - August 1st gets here, 10 game lead, Giants in 3rd (NL West).

[Daniel Larusso]

That's O-dog's O-mage to DelinO Deshields.

[regfairfield]

Bleacher Seats, the average playoff appearance a few years ago was worth 25 million, so adjust from there.

[Alex41592]

"There will be cheers, boos and studied indifference."

Tonight, I expect cheering, cheering and more cheering. Most likely of the standing variety.

Martin on MLB Network expects it to be electric. I expect the same.

[Eric Stephen]

I would also be very frightened if you were a Dodger fan, Tim. :)

[regfairfield]

I can see why you would become delusional if your team was playing ridiculously over its head and was still seven games back.

[Hollywood Joe]

"When will Orlando Hudson ditch that stupid double-earflapped batting helmet, and start wearing a single-flapped helmet like a real major leaguer?"

Um, when he stops being a switch hitter?

The guy obviously doesnt want to worry about what helmet he should be grabbing just so he can have the cool one ear look

[Ken Noe]

Giant fans,

Your pitching is starting to unravel -- it didn't have much margin for error in the first place.

But the Rockies are showing moxie -- excellent pitching and defense along with a pretty darn good offense.

I would be very frightened if I were a Giant fan.

[Eric Stephen]

It would have been so cool in little league to have the one ear flap helmets.

[Alex41592]

And there's a winner.

[Dodger Bullpen]

Anyone hearing any news on whether any of these ex-Dodgers could be reunited with us?

Matt Herges (released by Cleveland)

Joe Beimel (LA Times article about him still having an abode out here, wanting to be back, and being dangled by the Nats as trade bait)

Takashi Saito (complicated but cheap contract)

[jpg]

Can we talk about Andre Ethier in a context besides his mood or his relationship to Manny Ramirez in the batting order?

I'm ready to write off Andre as a full time hitter. He's had enough at bats against LHP for me to conclude we'd be better off with someone who smokes LHP then someone who puts up a .715 career OPS against them. While getting a strong hitting RH, right fielder is not on Ned's list of things to do, it would be on mine. I'd even be willing to bet that Jamie Hoffman could hit LH better then Andre and provide much better defense. Jamie can't hit RHP much but I think together we'd be better then just Andre full time.

[Hollywood Joe]

I bought myself the two ear flap for my league because it was 1/3 the price of the single flap

I always wanted a single flap

[DL]

The guy obviously doesnt want to worry about what helmet he should be grabbing just so he can have the cool one ear look

That's no excuse. I demand that none of the players on the team I root for look like 9-year-old bantam leaguers, or Delino DeShields.

I'm very adamant about this.

[stolenmonkey86]

10 Dodger stories I'd read:

When do I see Hong-Chi Kuo again?

Do we have another Ronald Belisario in the minors, and why do we think we need to trade for one? Wasn't Ronald Belisario a 28 year old minor leaguer that came out of nowhere?

Will the Dodgers continue to lead MLB in defensive efficiency, and how does that make Jeff Kent feel?

Will Matt Kemp start an environmental cleanup charity called moving the trash can?

Despite his bench role, does Juan Pierre still feel good about himself setting a career high for intentional walks in a season with 3, while still leading the team in stolen bases?

Are the Dodgers considering upgrading James Loney, or do they feel that the combination of his defensive contributions and second half potential are enough to keep them going?

Does Joe Torre have a lineup construction theory that tells him he should start the lineup again at the 6th spot and put a good hitter in the 8 hole?

Was Broxton's toe the cause of his problems? Will that take long to heal?

Will Guillermo Mota and Jeff Weaver reclaim the height of their performance, from back when they were Dodgers? Will they crash again next season if they're not back in blue? Is Rick Honeycutt particularly helpful, is that defense helping, is Martin a good gamecaller, or is it the Dodger mound?

Will Martin hit for power again, and if so, how? Is he letting too many good pitches go by to jack up his pitch count, or are pitchers no longer intimidated by him? Or did he lose strength when he lost weight? Or will this be the best second half relative to the first half ever for a catcher?

[jpg]

Reg - who is playing over their head for the Giants?

[elf]

I say not only should O-Dog continue with the double-flap helmet, he should include a chin strap as well! Safety first!

[regfairfield]

More of a reference to their six wins over third order, but I'd say Sandoval, Cain, and the entire bullpen qualify.

[stolenmonkey86]

I think Larry Bowa should have a double flap helmet.

Lou Pinella just needs a mouth guard.

[stolenmonkey86]

Randy Johnson is giving out homers like he's pitching for the 1996 Rockies. Seriously, 18 in 90 innings. If his walk rate spikes (or even climbs slightly), he could be looking a lot like Oliver Perez. Except for not costing $30 million.

[Icaros]

Yeah, but now Randy Johnson is injured and not pitching every five days, which is a plus for the Giants.

[Brent Knapp]

Isn't it possible that if the Dodgers runaway with the division title it could actually mean less revenue? It may be counter intuitive, but it would be less exciting if a team pretty much had the division all but won 3-4 weeks before the season is over.

[regfairfield]

Can Randy Johnson beat Nolan Ryan's K/9 at age 45? Ryan was at nine exactly and Johnson is at 8.1 right now.

[sporky]

Of the 10 games I've been to this year, I've seen Wolf pitch 4 times (including tonight), and in only 2 out of the 9 games did the SP receive a decision. I guess the two go hand in hand.

I just want to watch a baseball game that counts. Yay!

[Brent Knapp]

DL,

I remember reading a column on Uni Watch about the double ear flap. I believe there are only three current players that wear the double ear flap. Shane Victorino, Shin-soo choo, and Orlando Hudson.

[ucladodger]

Just found out that Kemp will be hitting 5th tonight. Not sure about the rest of the lineup, but at least moving Kemp up versus a lefty is a big improvement.

[Brent Knapp]

Here's the article about the double ear flap.

http://tinyurl.com/nbfb94

Trot Nixon was one of the very few non-switch hitters to wear the double flap, and he said it was "because of the better balance that the helmet has on his head, which provides a more consistent view of pitches."

[nsxtasy]

>> How much extra money does a team end up earning when they win the playoffs and WS? Also, how much do you estimate they gain in ticket sales, concentions, parking, etc, from being in the heat of the playoffs in August and September? And, how many more butts would be put into seats if the Dodgers got Halladay?

In general, ticket sales and other revenues are higher when a team is in contention during the pennant race, but go significantly higher than that the year AFTER they win (or lose) the WS. For example, the Chicago White Sox were drawing a record 28,xxx fans per game in 2005 when they won the WS, went up to 36,xxx in 2006, then has been declining several thousand per year since then.

That effect is less for teams that come close to selling out their games regardless of their success on the field, such as the Cubs and Red Sox.

[Eric Stephen]

Time to update the sidebar :)

ASTROS
Bourn CF
Keppinger 3B
Berkman 1B
Lee LF
Tejada SS
Pence RF
Matsui 2B
Quintero C
Rodriguez LHP

DODGERS
Furcal SS
Ethier RF
Ramirez LF
Blake 3B
Kemp CF
Martin C
Loney 1B
Hudson 2B
Wolf LHP

[ucladodger]

Eric, I'm really curios to see if this is just a matchup thing against lefties, or if Kemp hitting 5th is his new regular spot. I'm inclined to think this is just a lefty thing.

[nsxtasy]

>> Amid all the focus on what’s wrong with the Dodger pitching, has the media sufficiently acknowledged what’s right with it?

NO!

When was the last time you read any in-depth articles about Belisario or Troncoso (or even Broxton)?

Yesterday I mentioned several relievers who have had ERA's under 1.00 since bad outings early in the season, notably Mota and (for a shorter period of time) JMac, and Leach was under 2.00 for quite a while. All ignored by the media.

Kershaw's improvement just since the start of the season has been palpable. Who's writing about it? Nobody!

The only time the media writes is when there's something wrong - this pitcher is getting tired from too many innings, that pitcher never gets a decision.

[nsxtasy]

>> Is this not a perfect time to write about Clayton Kershaw’s tantalizing progress?

YES!

[nsxtasy]

>> What will it take for Hiroki Kuroda to more consistently emulate his worldbeater form of last October?

I don't know, but that's the most troubling problem on the team right now, if you ask me.

I wonder whether his injury is still a problem, or if he's just slumping.

[stolenmonkey86]

Orlando Hudson moves into the coveted 8th spot in the lineup.

[underdog]

Either way, at least we've had a couple games in a row where we haven't had to discuss Kemp in the 8th spot (not that we have to anyway).

Jon, your 2nd to last paragraph above covers quite a few of the stories I'd like to hear more about too. It's amazing how banal, repetitive and lazy a lot of reporting is these days. Is it that hard to write about something that no one else is writing about? Fans appreciate that more than the same ol'-same ol'.

Anyway, I too would like to get more firsthand accounts on Schmidt, and on XPaul's recovery process, and on the long road back for Abreu, and so on and so forth.

Glad there's a game tonight though!

[nsxtasy]

>> If it was worth sending a battalion of reporters to cover Ramirez’s return

...which it wasn't...

>> is it really so crazy to want a first-hand account of the final stages of Jason Schmidt’s comeback?

Yes, it's crazy. I expect nothing from him except maybe a few starts with mediocre results. (Prove me wrong, Jason!)

[Jon Weisman]

A game chat thread will open at 6:30 p.m. - thanks.

[stolenmonkey86]

Who is the last player to bat 8th in their first game back after playing in the all-star game? Besides a Cardinals' pitcher?

[Craig88USC]

How many teams bat an All Star there? ;)

[nsxtasy]

>> Can we talk about Andre Ethier in a context besides his mood or his relationship to Manny Ramirez in the batting order?

Well, his batting average is down significantly from last year, and I don't think it's related to Manny or the batting order. I think he's thinking too much about swinging for the fences.

[ucladodger]

Hiro had some rough points last year, too. He had a 4 start stretch in July where he threw 18.1 innings, allowed 31 hits, 20 earned runs, and K'd 12. That awful stretch followed 12 starts of shutout baseball (16 innings). In a 3 start stretch in June, he had his wonderful shutout against the Cubs, but surrounded it by failing to get out of the 3rd and giving up 6 runs both times.

So really, his struggles arent new, and I would expect him to pitch a ton better as we progress throughout the year.

[ucladodger]

Typo in the previous posts. In the 3rd line, it should say "followwed 2 starts...", not 12 starts.

[underdog]

But before I never write about him again, here's a song (picture barking dog at the end):

I found out long ago
It's a long way down the Halladay road
Halladay rooooad
Halladay rooooooooad

Jack be nimble, Jack be quick
Take a ride on the West Coast kick
Halladay rooooad
Halladay rooooooad

{bark bark bark}

[Craig88USC]

'Dre = Mr. Home Cooking (& Restaurant Critic Extraordinaire)

[Jon Weisman]

17-year-old Angels minor league pitcher suspended after positive steroid test

http://tinyurl.com/mtybvb

[nsxtasy]

>> Orlando Hudson moves into the coveted 8th spot in the lineup.

Joe must be expecting him to pick up where he left off on Sunday!

How come no one is talking about how much better O-Dog hits when he has Ausmus right behind him in the lineup? :)

[Eric Stephen]

The Dodgers will then get pulled over for speeding away from the division. The police officer will notice an empty leash trailing the back of the Dodger-paneled station wagon, with the "SF" logo on it.

"Poor little fellas. They probably kept up for a while..."

[sniff, sniff]

[Craig88USC]

UD - Nice tune. : )

Ibanez (23, 2nd inning off Volstad)

[Craig88USC]

Eric - Classic funny. :)

[Kevin Lewis]

Just don't let the cop go back for the carcass

[jim hitchcock]

American Pie & Holiday Road combined? A Don McLean & Kenny Loggins duet?

[Marty Leadman]

Ethier has become this site's newest whipping boy this year. I'm fine with him as our full-time right fielder. Maybe because he's so dreamy, maybe because I really dislike watching platoons for some reason.

[jim hitchcock]

Shoot, I thought Marty only dreamt about food :)

[overkill94]

I haven't been keeping up much lately, but with all the Halladay talk, do we have any idea what the Blue Jays want in return? Has anybody put together a plausible trade scenario? I'm guessing Kemp, Billingsley, and Kershaw are off limits with others being very close (Martin, Broxton, Ethier, and Loney).

I doubt the Jays are all that interested in Ethier since they already have Wells, Rios, and Lind (with Snider waiting in the wings) roaming the outfield. Would Loney be the centerpiece? If so, would we take on Overbay and his contract in return?

I can see why the pundits would want the Dodgers to take the plunge, I'm just wondering if anyone's taken it a step further and actually figured out how it would work.

[Jon Weisman]

So I'm wondering a) if we'll get to see Flight of the Conchords perform at the Emmys and b) if the nomination for Jemaine but not Bret help motivate a third season?

[nsxtasy]

>> Ethier has become this site's newest whipping boy this year.

In all fairness, he's not the only one who has been hitting worse than his potential. Martin's been discussed extensively as well, but gets slack cut because catching is so critical to defense. Fookie is way down from last year too. O-Dog is down since his hot start this season. However, both Raffy and O-Dog have shown signs of improvement recently.

I really like this Dodger lineup, because any player at all can carry the team on any given night. There are no real holes.

[Eric Stephen]

For those of us who only saw maybe half of the second season of FOTC, how did it compare to Season 1?

[Craig88USC]

See. Bret was holding him back.

Aren't they doing a movie instead of a new season, Jon?

[Kevin]

"When will Orlando Hudson ditch that stupid double-earflapped batting helmet, and start wearing a single-flapped helmet like a real major leaguer?"

What are you talking about I love the double ear flap helmet!

I also love how O-Dog sprints around the bases when he hits a jack.

[jim hitchcock]

"I also love how O-Dog sprints around the bases when he hits a jack. "

That's the Mickey Hatcher effect.

[Jon Weisman]

Season 1 was better overall, but season 2 did have some brilliant moments...

[Jon Weisman]

Are you literal or figurative? Does the second half of the baseball season start today, or did it start after game 81?

[Eric Stephen]

Because of the break, I think of today as the start of the "second half."

[Xeifrank]

The Phillies Jamie Moyer off to a very interesting start in Florida this evening. R.Ibanez has two dingers in his third game back from the DL.
vr, Xei

[Alex41592]

I always found myself saying first half even after game #81. Today is the beginning of the second half.

[underdog]

jim hitchcock | July 16, 2009 at 04:43 PM

Neither -- it's sung to the tune of Lindsay Buckingham's Holiday Road, which was the theme song to the movie Vacation, too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nLiQBV6A7c

[jim hitchcock]

Stupid mistake, Udog...mixing up Buckingham with Loggins.

[Jack Dawkins]

I must insist on being exact. Second half begins with game #82.

On a related note, the 21st century began January 1, 2001.

[underdog]

understandable mistake, Jim. ;-) (Given Footloose was around the same period.)

[Dodgers49]

Title Hopes Hinge On Parent Club

>> Front-running Dodgers might need to drain talent from Isotopes <<

http://tinyurl.com/l76f6z

[louisinsf]

Jon nice post and you bring up something I was discussing with a colleague at lunch-commentary versus reporting. In the old days when there were more newspapers and more reporters, there seemed to be a greater competition for stories. The Press Enterprise even in the past few years would cover a pitcher like Schmidt rehabing, especially when he was doing so down in the Inland Empire, there definitely is a story to be told about Hong Chi Quo and what it must be like rehabbing for the 6th time in the past three years?

The problem at the end of the day is the lack of reporting, people are looking for the easy story-which is what Manny is right now, and the overall star power of Manny which is fueled impart by the many redundant stories run by the major outlets. Sadly the major media have adopted the 2009 Dodger season has the Manny Ramirez saga-sink or swim.

[Noel Oman]

I am going to see the Dodgers with my son on July 27 and July 28 in St. Louis. It will be my first time in a few years to see the Boys in Blue in person. It looks like I will see Billz and Kershaw. They face Carpenter and Wainright. Nice matchups.

[Icaros]

Hong-Chi Quo is my new favorite spelling!

[Sam DC]

Cheer loud Noel! It's a big responsibility taking on the best fans in baseball (tm).

[Dodgers49]

MLB.com

Rangers throw hat into Halladay bidding

>> The Rangers have asked about Halladay and have had discussions with the Blue Jays. But sources call it a "long-shot." Texas knows the cost is going to be high, in terms of taking on salary and giving up prospects. Toronto is expected to demand first baseman Justin Smoak and at least two good young starting pitchers.
That could drive the Rangers away, but at least there is dialogue going between the two teams. Word is the Red Sox and the Phillies are likely to be the leading candidates for Halladay. <<

http://tinyurl.com/nzwzqk

[CanuckDodger]

Wade just went on the Dl (shoulder). DeWitt has been recalled -- for his fifth stint of the year with the Dodgers. I think it is about time "Yo Yo" replaces "The Solution" as DeWitt's nick-name.

[CanuckDodger]

Wade to "DL," not DI.

[Craig88USC]

Game Chat Up Top

[louisinsf]

Icaros, thanks for the spelling tip....Maybe if we go with my new spelling he will stay healthy

[Dallas]

Manny being Manny !
I will begin by saying, he may be 1 of the 2 best hitters I have ever seen after watching baseball for 45 years. That said, what a jerk ! He is caught cheating & has to sit 50 games; hey ManSham, you screwed around & now you OWE the fans a sincere apology!
My God, many, many people bought season seats just to watch you play yet you do something so stupid, deny the fans, but also add to a growing black eye on baseball & you can't be a man & speak of it, straigh up! I'ts the very least you can do !
Ya know that option year you have ? It's okay, really, go play for another team.

[Dallas]

Re: Halladay. I would NOT give up either Kershaw or Bills - you're only replacing, not adding to the staff ! Now, I would have no problem in moving Martin & Kemp, or Martin & James MacDonald, other prospects as we can't go all the way with what we now have. & good pitching beats good hitting everyday.
I can see Halladay pitching games 1 & 4 & if need b, game 7 too !
Martin has never been a great defensive catcher, w/ his average arm & all the strikeouts & taking 3rd strikes time & again.
Kemp will never be a 40 HR guy as long as he plays here in L.A. & to get something good, you have to move the same. And with his sub par HR total, he K's FAR too much.& Halladay would be here for a season & a half, not just the stretch run.