Dodgers had little intention for intentional walks in '74

Intentional walks become magnified in the playoffs. As recently as two days ago, a free free pass issued to the Angels' Torii Hunter set up Vladimir Guerrero for an American League Division Series-winning hit — and set up a bunch of second-guessing as well.

In this essay, Bob Timmermann of the Griddle and One through Forty-Two or Forty-Three looks back at a year in which the Dodgers told the intentional walk to take an intentional hike.

This season, Joe Torre ordered his pitchers to intentionally walk batters 68 times. It's far from a record-setting number. The eminently forgettable 1992 (63-99) Dodgers handed out 95 intentional walks. However, the 2009 Dodgers did lead the majors in intentional walks.

But, in one particular season, the Dodgers decided to eschew the intentional walk. Well, not entirely, but in the pennant winning season of 1974, Dodgers manager Walter Alston ordered the intentional walk nine times. Yes, the Dodgers had so few intentional walks that I have to spell out the number. Here is a link to all nine games from Baseballreference.com.

It's interesting to note first of all that the Dodgers lost all nine games. Four of the IBBs came in a 17-day span in May, including three in three days. After that, Alston, for reasons that he never seemed to explain (nor did anyone seem to ask), almost gave up on the intentional walk.

Here are the details of each of the IBBs:

• May 3, 1974 -- In the bottom of the second at Philadelphia, Doug Rau, after throwing a wild pitch to put runners on second and third with two outs, intentionally walks No. 8 hitter Bob Boone. Pitcher Ron Schueler strikes out. The Phillies win anyway 2-1.


• May 4, 1974 -- The Dodgers trail the Phillies 4-0 in the bottom of the sixth. Willie Montanez hits a leadoff triple. Bill Robinson strikes out. Alston has Don Sutton intentionally walk Mike Schmidt to bring up Boone. Boone follows with a single and it turns out to be a three-run inning. The Phillies win 7-3.


• May 5, 1974 -- The Dodgers lead the Phillies 2-1 in the bottom of the ninth. Tommy John gives up a leadoff single to Schmidt. John then makes an error on a grounder by Greg Luzinski to put runners on first and second. Mike Marshall relieves John. Robinson sacrifices Schmidt and Luzinski over. Del Unser pinch hits and he is intentionally walked to load the bases. Tommy Hutton follows with an unintentional walk to tie the game. After Boone fouls out, the Phillies win when Marshall walks pinch hitter Mike Rogodzinski.


• May 19, 1974 -- The Dodgers trail the Braves at Dodger Stadium 3-1 in the sixth. The Braves have runners on second and third with two outs with Ralph Garr coming up. Garr would lead the NL in batting average in 1974 and he was already 2 for 3 in the game. So Alston has Sutton intentionally walk Garr to bring up weak-hitting shortstop Craig Robinson. Robinson lines out to left. The Braves still win.


• June 2, 1974 -- At Wrigley Field the Dodgers have fallen behind the Cubs 7-4 and Marshall has been knocked out of the game in favor of Charlie Hough. In the eighth inning, with runners on second and third and two outs, Alston decides to put Jerry Morales on base to force the Cubs to bat their pitcher, Dave LaRoche. LaRoche flied out. In the top of the ninth, LaRoche gave up a walk and a triple and Horacio Pina had to bail him out. The Dodgers lose 7-6. 


• July 5, 1974 -- In the first game of a doubleheader at Parc Jarry in Montreal, the Dodgers are down 4-0 in the fourth after Ron Hunt knocks out starter Al Downing with an RBI single. Rick Rhoden comes in to make his big league debut. The first batter he faces, Tim Foli, grounds out to the pitcher to put runners on second and third with two outs. Willie Davis gets an intentional walk in favor of Bob Bailey. Bailey singled in two runs. The Expos go on to win 11-5. The Dodgers take the nightcap 7-0. 


• July 10, 1974 -- The Dodgers are making their second trip to Philadelphia, and they are finding themselves in trouble again. Dave Cash drives in a run in the seventh with an RBI single off of Sutton and another run scores when Davey Lopes makes an error on the relay. Geoff Zahn is summoned to relieve Sutton. Larry Bowa lines out. Then, Alston, in an unusual move, orders Marshall to walk Schmidt with first base occupied. This loads the bases for Montanez, who grounds out. The Phillies win the game in the ninth on another RBI single from Cash. 


• Aug. 18, 1974 -- The Dodgers take on Pittsburgh at Three Rivers Stadium. The Pirates are leading 4-1 in the fifth after an Al Oliver RBI double with two outs. Alston has Hough intentionally walk Richie Hebner to face Frank Taveras. Taveras singles to load the bases. Greg Shanahan comes in to relieve Hough and walks in two runs. Pittsburgh wins 10-3. 


• Sept. 27, 1974 -- The Dodgers are in San Diego (the Padres gave out 116 IBBs in 1974, the most in MLB history) and have a magic number of two to clinch the division. The Dodgers have beaten the Padres in 15 of 16 previous meetings. The Dodgers are stymied most of the game by the only Padre pitcher to have beaten them: Dan Spillner. The Dodgers trail 2-1 in the ninth (and the Reds had earlier won so the best they could do was clinch a tie). But, a Bill Buckner triple followed by a Jimmy Wynn single ties the game.
  
  In the bottom of the ninth, Jim Brewer, who had been the Dodgers' relief workhorse until the acquisition of Marshall and was now mostly forgotten, gets into trouble. With one out, Willie McCovey doubles off of Brewer. Alston opts not to pitch to Dave Winfield and has Brewer go after Derrel Thomas. Thomas flies out, sending pinch runner John Scott to third. Dave Hilton then hits a grounder to Bill Russell, who boots it, allowing the winning run to score. The Dodgers don't clinch the NL West until Oct. 1.

I asked SABR's Phil Birnbaum to help me identify "likely" intentional walk situations. I thought games that had a deficit of no more than two runs each way with two outs and a base open at first and after the sixth inning would be the best I could do. Phil found 125 instances of this in Dodgers games in 1974. In two of those instances, Alston ordered an intentional walk (May 5 and Sept. 27).

So what was Alston thinking? First of all, remember that a lot of people thought Alston was not the game's greatest tactician, especially toward the end of his career. But I think Alston might have been on to something. He didn't want to put extra runners on base.

All I have are some theories:

1. The Mike Marshall theory. This supposes that Alston had confidence in Marshall to get out of any trouble that he got himself into. Since Marshall made 106 appearances and threw 208 innings, you would assume Alston had confidence in Marshall. And if you've ever met Mike Marshall, you will realize that Mike Marshall has a lot of confidence in Mike Marshall.

2. The Scoring a Lot of Runs Theory. The 1974 Dodgers led the NL in runs scored with 798. They also scored early, with the first inning being the most productive one with 120 runs. The Dodgers didn't have to worry about a lot of really close games. But, they played 52 games decided by one run (they were 29-23) and they played in 39 games decided by five runs (and they were 32-7 in those games.)

3. The Lefty/Righty Theory. The Dodgers had just two lefties in the bullpen, Zahn and Brewer, and they made a combined 35 appearances out of the pen. Alston didn't need to intentionally walk anyone to gain a platoon advantage because he just didn't have the pitchers to make it worthwhile. The Dodgers had three lefty starters in Rau, John and Downing, but only Rau was a regular member of the rotation. John famously blew out his elbow and Downing was mostly a forgotten man.

4. It Didn't Seem to Work Theory. After Alston used the IBB in three straight games in Philadelphia and May and lost all the games, he might  have just soured on the concept of the intentional walk.

If the 1974 Dodgers were the 2009 Dodgers, there would be endless debates in sabermetric circles about why the manager ordered so few intentional walks. The nine intentional walks were so far away from the league average (69) that people would have taken notice. On the other hand, Dodger hitters were the kings of the intentional walk. They received 95 of them. Bill Russell led the league with 25, four more than Willie Stargell. Russell had just 28 unintentional walks.

The Mariners made a run (or perhaps a very leisurely and deliberate stroll) at the record this year, as it were, with just 13 intentional walks in the 2009 season, a new AL record. Since the institution of the designated hitter in 1973, AL teams have almost always issued fewer intentional walks than NL teams. The Rangers issued just 14, which also was better than the previous AL low of 16.

The 1974 Dodgers, as we know, made it to the World Series. Alston didn't order any intentional walks during the four-game NLCS win over Pittsburgh. Then came Game 4 of the World Series on Oct. 16, 1974.

Leading 2-1 in the seventh inning (but down 2-1 in the series), Andy Messersmith surrendered the tying run on an RBI single by Sal Bando to score Bill North. The A's worked their way to a second and third situation with one out after a walk to Reggie Jackson and a sacrifice by Joe Rudi.

Coming up was Claudell Washington, then a 20-year-old rookie. With weak-hitting catcher Ray Fosse on deck, Alston ordered Washington walked to load the bases. Oakland Manager Alvin Dark then called on Jim Holt to pinch-hit for Fosse. Holt singled to score two runs. The A's won the game, 5-2.

 

Comments

[nsxtasy]

>> Gm 3-SUN Vicente Padilla vs. Clifton Lee: Philly fans should be extremely confident at their Citizens Clank Park. (We so needed Hiroki healthy here!) Please convince me otherwise, but VP's place in the NLCS (and WS- IF we make it) is long relief only - sad to say.

Every pitcher has good outings and bad outings. The best have lots more good outings than bad outings, but still have an occasional bad outing, such as Chris Carpenter's game 1. Good pitchers have somewhat more good outings than bad outings. Bad pitchers don't usually make it to the playoffs. :)

Vicente Padilla is a good pitcher. You might get seven innings of shutout ball, or he might allow a handful of runs in a "quality start", or he might get shelled (although I think Joe will have him on a shorter leash than during the regular season - look how quickly he pulled Duckbill the other night). Cliff Lee is one of the best, but any of those same things may happen.

Padilla has started eight games for the Dodgers, and four of them have been "quality starts" - at least 6 IP and no more than 3 ER, including two in which he allowed zero ER. In two more, he only allowed 1 ER but pitched less than six innings (5.0 and 5.1). In the other two, he allowed four ER in a five-inning no-decision. That's pretty darn good.

In comparison, Lee has started 14 games for the Phils. Eight of those were quality starts, including three in which he allowed zero ER. Another two were instances in which he didn't go six innings (allowing 3 ER in a 5.1-IP loss, and 1 ER in a 4-IP ND). In the other four, he allowed 6, 6, 4, and 7 ER. Also pretty darn good.

So either one may turn in a very good performance. And either one may get hit, even hit hard.

All told, this is why I don't like the whole idea of jumping to the conclusion that one team MUST win because one starting pitcher is better than the other, even when both are good pitchers. Sometimes a great starter pitches well and the team still loses the game (e.g. Wainwright), sometimes a great starter doesn't pitch well (e.g. Carpenter), and sometimes a starter who isn't as great turns in a pitching gem (e.g. Padilla). Nobody guarantees a great outing (or a terrible outing, either). As someone here likes to say, that's why they play the games.

Of course, some games aren't decided until they go to the bullpens. And while we have an advantage there, anyone can have a bad outing in relief, too.

I'm confident that we have a good chance of getting a good outing when Wolf, or Kershaw, or Padilla, or Kuroda is our starting pitcher. But it won't happen all the time, for any of them. I'm confident we'll get enough good performances that we have a chance at winning the NLCS.

[Alex41592]

This made me think of Ferris Bueller's Day Off.

So far this semester he has been absent nine times.

Nine times?

Nine times.

[nsxtasy]

>> Vicente Padilla and Randy Wolf? We know how much of an unreliable head case Padilla is, and we know that Wolf is basically a glorified junk-baller.

Riiiight. I'm sure the Cardinals fans felt the same way, knowing that Padilla and Wolf would be going up against Pineiro and Carpenter. Too bad for us, huh? :)

[nsxtasy]

>> I wouldn't be so quick to pencil Manny into the Dodgers plans next year guys.

So you think some other team will be willing to outspend the $20 million option he would get by staying with the Dodgers?

Wanna place a little wager on that? Better yet, wanna place a BIG wager on that? I'd love to take the other side. Easy money!

[Eric Stephen]

Phenomenal stuff, Bob. Enjoyed the stroll through yesteryear.

[Robert562]

We will just agree to disagree Eric. :)

[Eric Stephen]

Robert, you mean you didn't enjoy Bob's article? :)

[dodgerkramer]

My two cents' Werth...

I believe Werth is a very good player whose numbers have been inflated somewhat by a) the ballpark in which he plays and b) the other players in the Phillies lineup.

If Kemp or Ethier were Phillies, I think their numbers would be .310, 42 homers, 125 RBIs.

My point being, Kemp and Ethier are better players than Werth.

[nsxtasy]

>> Quick question, same situation, Ryan Howard represents go-ahead run with two out, Broxton on the mound and you have Sherrill available, what do you do.

Intentional walk.

[Craig88USC (Lakers>Dodgers>Trojans)]

Examples:

Lance Armstong = Lanceness
Andre Eithier = 'Dreness
Mannny Ramirez = Maniaconess
'09 Dodgers = Effortness

-Craigness : )

[nsxtasy]

So we're hearing more trash talk from the Phillies trolls. If we win, promise you'll come back and admit that you were wrong.

We've been hearing the same thing most of the season from San Francisco trolls, but there's no sign of them now. Cowards.

[PismoBruce]

Nice work Craig. Now let's hope the Trojans knock the touchdown bejesus-ness out of the Domer's Saturday. Mr Galippo was slighted by SuperSize Hoodie during his recruiting visit with Jimmy Clausen and Marc Tyler, among others. Can't wait to see him respond

[PismoBruce]

We've been hearing the same thing most of the season from San Francisco trolls, but there's no sign of them now. Cowards.

Posted by: nsxtasy | October 13, 2009 at 11:48 AM

I met a nice couple from the Bay Area this weekend. Of course we soon got to baseball. He said Beat LA. I said Spie-z-o. His wife was baffled, he acknowledged the shot, and changed the subject to football.

[Craig88USC (Lakers>Dodgers>Trojans)]

"Easy money!

Posted by: nsxtasy"

---You can get fantastic money line odds on the Padilla/Lee game three in Vegas. But NSX, my friend, may I suggest that you skip the betting window and head on over to the Buffet. Save your bet for Bills, game four and collect your winnings. ; )

Dodgers in five should also pay off quite well. I'm countin' on it. But, my greatest thrill of all in this category was getting paid at The Mirage on a Reds WS sweep over the A's. Lucky or what ... as I waved my winning ticket in Paddy Murphy's while the drunken crowd cheered the sweep. I wonder if that bar in Fountain Valley is still there? :)

[nsxtasy]

>> The Dodgers had three lefty starters in Rau, John and Downing, but only Rau was a regular member of the rotation. John famously blew out his elbow and Downing was mostly a forgotten man.

Forgotten??? Downing's 1974 season is still easily remembered by many folks - I knew this one off the top of my head - for a home run he allowed on April 8 of that year. It was Hank Aaron's 715th career dinger, breaking the then-record set by Babe Ruth.

[Craig88USC (Lakers>Dodgers>Trojans)]

Make that Silky Sullivan's Restaurant & Irish Pub

They can get blurry and often did back then. ;)

[Humma Kavula]

Off topic, I'd like to serve up a nice, hot, steaming cup of something not very nice to Major League Baseball and the two networks for scheduling Friday's game for 1:00 PT.

Hey, scheduler: you can take you schedule and you can shove it wherever you like so long as it causes you pain and misery.

Your pal,

Humma

[Craig88USC (Lakers>Dodgers>Trojans)]

UIBB > IBB

... And should be used more often imho. The batter might bite.

[Robert562]

USMNT fans:

HORRIBLE news this morning. Charlie Davies is in surgery after an auto accident last night just after 3 in DC in the GW Parkway.

"Ashley J. Roberta, 22, of Phoenix, Md., died on the scene, said Schlosser, who added that he did not have further information on the two survivors in the crash, who were brought to the Washington Hospital Center MedStar Unit in serious condition."

Say a prayer.

http://twitter.com/SoccerInsider

http://twitter.com/JozyAltidore17

http://twitter.com/MauriceEdu

[nsxtasy]

>> I believe Werth is a very good player whose numbers have been inflated somewhat by a) the ballpark in which he plays...

His power numbers may be inflated by the ballpark, but his other numbers are actually better on the road than at home (e.g. BA .271 road, .265 home; OBP .381 road, .364 home).

[Maddz]

1 PM? Ouch. Sorry, HK. :(

Bob, I am deeply impressed at all the research that must have gone into that. And, though I'm not not much a statistics gal, you made it accessible and interesting to me! You, sir, have a gift. If only you taught math when I was going through school...

[Craig88USC (Lakers>Dodgers>Trojans)]

Manny loves LA

LA loves Manny

Manny loves $20,000,000

[underdog]

I actually saw a San Francisco troll on my way to work this morning. In the Civic Center of SF. Poor guy, caught in the rain, was standing under an awning, probably pining for a bridge. I didn't have time to answer his Questions Three, though.

[Eric Enders]

Del Unser pinch hits and he is intentionally walked to load the bases. Tommy Hutton follows with an unintentional walk to tie the game. After Boone fouls out, the Phillies win when Marshall walks pinch hitter Mike Rogodzinski.

I know it's bad form to get angry at a dead guy, but... geez, Alston.

No, seriously, Bob, this is good stuff. It's interesting that despite Alston souring on the IBB, the few he did issue included several of the worst variety (the ones that load the bases with less than two outs). And one of those ended up helping to lose the World Series.

Has the Mariners' IBB total been much discussed in sabermetric circles? I hadn't known anything about it until reading it here.

[Kevin Lewis]

Hey all,

I still have 4 tickets in 45 Baseline Row 7, Seats 15-18

For monetary reasons, I can't go, but it looks like for monetary reasons, I can't sell them.

So, I would be willing to accept any offers at kevblewis at gmail dot com

The tickets at cost were $131 each with fees.

[Marty Leadman]

I'm really hoping this series ends up being called The Redemption of Chad Billingsley.

[Maddz]

Sorry I couldn't help, Kevin. :(

That reminds me -- do you actually look like Casey Blake? Or is your beard just that awesome? If the latter, how prodigious is your beard?

[Kevin Lewis]

Maddz,

I will find a photo to post later, since I just trimmed it down last night.

I don't look like him, but with a hat on, I could see it.

[Kevin Lewis]

Oh, and if I can't go to the game, I will just have to suck it up and sell one of my guitars. Then I will see if anyone wants to join me and make a donation they can afford :)

[nsxtasy]

>> I'm really hoping this series ends up being called The Redemption of Chad Billingsley

...or the Revenge of the Pretty Boys. :)

[nsxtasy]

The Perfection of Clayton Kershaw.

[underdog]

From mlbtraderumors: Giants Re-Sign Bochy, Sabean http://bit.ly/XODkt

[nsxtasy]

The Thrilla by Padilla.

[nsxtasy]

We'll see ya, says Padilla.

[whodat807]

The Dandy by Randy

[whodat807]

The Phillies' Peril is Sherrill

[nsxtasy]

Jon probably already used this as the title of a topic for one of Clayton's starts, but... the Kershawnk Redemption.

[whodat807]

Clay makes 'em Pay

I really should pay more attention to torts class.

[Maddz]

'Dre says "No way"?
Dre hits ok?

Incidentally, has anyone seen "Wired For Baseball"? Manny on the mic is possibly the most hilarious thing I have ever seen.

[nsxtasy]

>> From mlbtraderumors: Giants Re-Sign Bochy, Sabean http://bit.ly/XODkt

Not a surprise. At the start of the season, everybody expected the 'ants to have another losing season. For them to finish 14 games over .500 was a huge and unexpected surprise. Especially with such a weak-hitting lineup.

[Eric Enders]

"Vicente Padilla is a good pitcher."

This is fallacy #1. Any strategy based on the above statement, IMO, is a strategy that needs to be reconsidered. Vicente Padilla is not a good pitcher, hasn't been in more than five years. For his career, he's the very definition of an average pitcher: 100 ERA+. Over the last few years he's been significantly worse than that.

What he is is a thoroughly mediocre pitcher who happens to have had several outstanding games in the last two months. The Dodgers shouldn't lose sight of that fact. They would be well served to make Padilla the Game 4 starter -- i.e., the only pitcher with only one scheduled start in the Series -- and even then they should only do it if Kuroda's not healthy enough to pitch. Billingsley should start ahead of Padilla and that should be a fairly obvious decision.

I loved what Padilla did the other day and I will always appreciate him for it. I admire everything he's done for the Dodgers so far. I have also not deluded myself into thinking that it's anything more than a nice little stretch of good fortune.

Asking Padilla to beat the Phillies in the NLCS is akin to asking the U.S. to beat Russia in hockey again the following week. It's pretty much a textbook case of pushing your luck. Dodger fans have wildly overreacted based on one game, and I hope Torre doesn't do the same.

[Maddz]

whodat, what year are you? Law school scares me.

[Craig88USC (Lakers } Dodgers } Trojans)]

Gametime Weather (per AccuWeather)

GAME 1 ... 77 °F RealFeel®: 80 °F
Sunny and pleasant

GAME 2
Low: 67 °F RealFeel®: 65 °F
A star-studded sky (I might add here - with a Star-studded field)

[whodat807]

I'm a 1L. My first exam is tomorrow. I'm pretty terrified.

On the other hand, I thank the Dodgers for wrapping up that first series early and give me ample time to study.

[Maddz]

Good luck! Where are you studying?

[Maddz]

...I mean, what school. Not where, physically, that'd be creepy.

After seeing Lincecum, one of the best pitchers in the game, not even last 3 innings against the Dodgers, I try not to make any predictions or even hold any hopes about the lasting power of any starting pitching. Yes, outings like that for great pitchers like Timmy are few and far between, but they still happen...and seemingly at the most inopportune times, too. In my effort to not be a raging pessimist, I instead force myself to have no opinion and hide, ostrichesque, in the corner.

In case you were wondering, sand doesn't taste all that great.

[whodat807]

Maddz: Cardozo, in NY. Getting tired of Yankee fans. Also experiencing the East Coast bias in person, which is pretty aggravating. Are you studying law too?

[Craig88USC (Lakers } Dodgers } Trojans)]

@Notre Dame Sat -

Cool and cloudy, probably in the high 40s -- GREAT football weather !

[Maddz]

Oh, no. I was (still am, I guess) contemplating it, but I have a few friends in law school, and they tell me stories. I'm probably going to cop out and just get a master's degree instead.

[Craig88USC (Lakers } Dodgers } Trojans)]

The Where's Juan Pierre Orlando Hudson Series.

Uh oh.

I, of course jest.

[whodat807]

It's pretty interesting, and I enjoy it, but I've already done more reading this first month than I realistically had to to do well in college. 10pm-1am Dodger games are not helping.

[Craig88USC (Lakers } Dodgers } Trojans)]

" Billingsley should start ahead of Padilla and that should be a fairly obvious decision."

-A big amen to that, Eric. :)

[Craig88USC (Lakers } Dodgers } Trojans } Duval)]

Yep, out linebacking is SOLID, my friend

Chris Galippo is one of the nation's best already.

.

"SuperSize Hoodie" ...LOL

-That's too funny, Pismo Bruce. :)

[blue22]

Eric Enders - Not that I don't totally agree with your viewpoint (I'm very much pro-Chad, but thinking of Torre's thought process here), but what exactly has changed since Joe picked Padilla to start Game 3 last week, other than his pitching a 7-inning gem in that start?

Given Padilla's previous start, his overall good performance as a Dodger, and Chad's meltdown in Philly last year...does Chad even get a chance to start at all in this series if Kuroda is good to go?

[kinbote]

It feels as if Torre's decision on whom to start in games three and four is the most important one he's faced as a Dodger.

['75 Dodger]

Thanks for the newsflash Robert. That's terrible news about Charlie Davies and the person that died. I sure hope he'll be okay as well as the other passengers.

[underdog]

Plus, how will Billingsley both get revenge on last year's NLCS and put to rest the endless nonsense about how he failed in the playoffs last year (which always forgets his stellar outing vs. the Cubs) -- if he's not given a Revenge Start vs. the Phillies?

[Craig88USC]

Wacky times on Thur & Fri

Reverse those weather reports, folks

Still within the margin of error :)

[Paul S]

Fwiw, Carlos Pena (TB Rays) said on MLB Network that he's picking the Dodgers because he's a 'big fan'.

[regfairfield]

Make Bills the game one starter.

Have him hit Rollins in the brain with the first pitch of the game.

Bring in Wolf for the rest of it.

That's killing like seven birds with one stone.

[Craig88USC]

The Yankees may go with a three-man rotation against the Los Angeles Angels in the AL Championship Series. ESPN.com

Spent all their money elsewhere. Couldn't even budget in a decent #4?

[KG16]

law school really isn't that bad. The first year they scare you to death, the second year they work you to death, and the third year they bore you to death. If you can convince yourself not to be intimidated, and learn to work smarter not harder, then it's not too bad. My only advice for third year involves large quantities of adult beverages.

It also depends on what you want to do with your law degree. If you want to do the big firm thing, then yeah, you need the grades and being on law review, and all that other stuff. If you're content (as I have been) to work at a small or medium sized firm (or even in the public sector), then all you really have to do is pass your classes and pass the bar.

But if you're thinking about it, visit some school, sit in on some classes, and find the place that feels like a good fit for you.

[Ken Noe]

Name of the series? Blue vs. Boo.

[KG16]

Posted by: regfairfield | October 13, 2009 at 01:38 PM

Your strategy intrigues me.

[Craig88USC]

Yanks gonna ride that CC horse until he keels over. Should be spent
come the next round if they make it. C'mon, Angels! Go Scioscia!

[underdog]

US soccer forward Charlie Davies is now in surgery (just as a slight update)
http://bit.ly/4hWZy5

Sounds like he'll be okay, ultimately, but may be out of soccer action for awhile. Fingers are crossed. Very sad regardless.

[Eric Enders]

what exactly has changed since Joe picked Padilla to start Game 3 last week, other than his pitching a 7-inning gem in that start?

Good question. What's changed is that Torre now has an actual decision to make. In the Division Series, Padilla and Billingsley were obvious choices to start one game each -- and only one game each. He never had to choose between them. It didn't really matter which order they started in. Basically, the only meaningful starting pitching decision Torre had to make in the LDS was whether Wolf or Kershaw would be the guy to start twice.

But with the NLCS, what's changed is that either Padilla or Billingsley will have to start TWO games, while the other will start only once. Now he DOES have to choose between them. And to further complicate matters, he also has Kuroda to consider in the equation. So quite a lot has changed this time around.

One possibility is to start Billingsley and Padilla in Games 3 and 4 and then whichever one performs better would be the Game 7 starter. Because of the extra off day, either the Game 3 or 4 starter would be able to pitch Game 7 on sufficient rest. But personally, regardless of how Padilla performs, I'd start Billingsley twice unless he looks stupendously awful in the first one.

[PismoBruce]

"SuperSize Hoodie" ...LOL

-That's too funny, Pismo Bruce. :)

Posted by: Craig88USC (Lakers } Dodgers } Trojans } Duval) | October 13, 2009 at 01:19 PM

Thanks, but I was all ready to call him Hoodie Jr. until I heard an ESPN talking head use that during the Bronc-Pats highlights. That fit McDaniels better, SuperSize fits Charlie better. Unemployed Hoodie is what I would really like to be able to call him, and I know some Irish fans that wish that more than I.

[kinbote]

EE--What are your thoughts on the potential effectiveness of Bills or Kuroda coming out of the pen? Would one be preferable to the other used that way? It seemed as if Padilla was being groomed for a relief role towards the end of the year, but then he became our game three starter.

[blue22]

Eric, thanks I see your point about the 2 starts. Where would you slot in Kuroda? Assuming he's up to snuff physically, I think he might be the best option for a Game 3/Game 7 combo.

I'm actually quite nervous about any of the RHP throwing to the Phillies in that ballpark. Has Eric Stults been keeping in game shape? I'm only about 10% kidding.

[GoDodgers]

All I know about this series is that I won't be attending any games. That should mean, much like the NLDS, that the Dodgers take a quick 2-0 series lead.

There was never any doubt on my part that we would be up 2-0 in the NLDS. Game 2 9th inning: no sweat. I knew the Dodgers would win since I wasn't there.

[underdog]

"what's changed is that either Padilla or Billingsley will have to start TWO games"

Not necessarily. ;-)

[Craig88USC]

It's weird that we need the Irish to be good to help SC's SOS and BCS rank

Solutions -
1 They could hire a better coach
2 Playoffs making SOS irrelevant
3 Take them off our schedule which ruins our fun and my trips in the odd years

What to do What to do

[Remember Gil Hodges]

Name for the Series -- The Putaway by 'Dre

[Craig88USC]

Underdog's right!

There are no "have to's" in baseball

except keeping Manny happy imo. : )

[Troy]

" It didn't really matter which order they started in."

Unless, the Dodgers were down 2-0 come game 3.

[david s]

Yes Hudson and Bills are better players than Beliard and Padilla. But I agree that you go with who is hot until proven otherwise

[Jon Weisman]

New post up top.

[MC Safety]

(Pours out some diet coke in memory of the Griddle)

[Sean P.]

"One possibility is to start Billingsley and Padilla in Games 3 and 4 and then whichever one performs better would be the Game 7 starter. Because of the extra off day, either the Game 3 or 4 starter would be able to pitch Game 7 on sufficient rest. But personally, regardless of how Padilla performs, I'd start Billingsley twice unless he looks stupendously awful in the first one."

This.

[Craig88USC]

The Giants recently drafted Michael Ness = Nessness qualities

The one in the Monkees with all the talent = A certain Nesmithness about him

Then you got the whole Dodger teamness = Raffyness, Pierreness etc etc

And that whole Scottish Loch Ness creature nonsense = Monsternessness!

Ok, I'll stop ;)