The anti-’Moneyball’: ‘Trouble With the Curve’

Posted on August 7, 2012 by Jon Weisman

“Trouble with the Curve,” starring Clint Eastwood, Amy Adams and Justin Timberlake, comes to theaters September 21. “Trouble with the Curve” looks like “Revenge on ‘Moneyball,’” though both have father-daughter stuff going on.

Rockies at Dodgers, 7:10 p.m.
Shane Victorino, LF
Jerry Hairston Jr., 3B
Matt Kemp, CF
Andre Ethier, RF
Hanley Ramirez, SS
James Loney, 1B
Luis Cruz, 2B
A.J. Ellis, C
Aaron Harang, P

http://www.facebook.com/people/Jim-Hitchcock/1676059435 Jim Hitchcock

LAT’d!

Misty May Treanor is up to 3 (or maybe more, missed the first match) post game `Go Dodgers!’

Anonymous

Spoiler alert requested.

Anonymous

“Your computer can’t tell if a kids got instincts!”
Anonymous

Looks pretty good.
Anonymous

The opening scene where he kicks over the chair reminds me of Walt Kowalski living room.
Anonymous

I could do without the tommyhawk-inspired soundtrack.
Anonymous

The title sounds like our batters during the last game
Anonymous

Resembles the same kind of character that Eastwood played in “Gran Torino.”
Anonymous

Tommy one took a group of minor leaguers through an exclusive area during spring training. He pointed to a mansion and told them “that can be yours if you can hit the curveball.” Not easy
Anonymous

This looks more promising than Moneyball, but I’d only go if I could be certain that Clint got a chance to flatten DePodesta.
Anonymous

I’m getting really tired of these first innings, which put lots of pressure on the offense.
KT

Come on Aaron we need a K
KT

Now time for the DP
KT

Nice play James
KT

Way to get out of it Aaron
Anonymous

Full credit to Harang for bearing down and working out of it.
Anonymous

Wow, there is a team out there that has no idea what a team is, or how it’s people inter-relate. I’m afraid it is the Dodgers, and they may need some time to work out who and what they are. Loney may have played enough ball to know what is right even when not sure who his team-mates are. and if they are playing an opposing team.Praise the lord

Anonymous

And that is how weak the Rocks are.
http://www.dodgerthoughts.com/ Jon Weisman

I’m sorry, but I don’t understand what you’re talking about.

Anonymous

Sounds like one non sequitur after another.

http://www.linkmeister.com/wordpress/ Linkmeister

Some nice pitching right there.
Anonymous

Heres are on base guy! Never mind.
KT

Have the Rocks feed tonight…I hate KCAL night

http://www.linkmeister.com/wordpress/ Linkmeister

Join the club. I’m still convinced there are more non-Prime Ticket games this year than ever before.

Anonymous

Wow–if Hair can’t get on base on that, he is just plain done. Actually–overdone.
Man–Dodgers can’t shake the Rockies in that inning. I’m scared.
KT

Nice Catch Matty!!
Anonymous

Nice catch Kemp!
Anonymous

Good-bye Hanley. Poss—–, ———– playo—–
KT

Rockies announcers talking about the desputed call last night and they are split in their decisions on if it was caught or not

There point being if you could tell on replay how could you overturn the original call

Anonymous

I think it was half glove half grass, which means no catch right?
Anonymous

I thought it was all leather, and was shocked the umpires reversed the call.

http://twitter.com/Derek_TC Derek TC

I thought it clearly hit the ground on slow replay, you can even see it bounce up higher into the glove, but it was VERY close and I too was surprised they overturned it.
Anonymous

I also thought it was a catch. And a great one at that. I wonder why it took so long to come up with a decision.

KT

Hanley still smarting running down the line on that single
Anonymous

Quick reaction by Sue. Hope Ramirez is okay.
KT

Come on wild pitch
Anonymous

Wow, Loney is almost a double play machine.
KT

Come on AJ
Anonymous

Will this frustration ever end?
Anonymous

Wow-no trouble is a slogan for the Dodgers offense-WHAT IS GOING ON>
Anonymous

EY’s getting really annoying.
KT

Hanley’s foot still hurting…you can see him grimace after catching the popup
KT

Aaron still walking that tightrope with confidence
http://farinella.com/ David Farinella

So, here’s my question…. if Dee Gordon (I know, I know) is going to assume the SS position when he’s healthy again, why is Hanley playing there now? Shouldn’t he just stay at 3B and let Cruz play SS?

Anonymous

Yeah, doesn’t make sense. Maybe we’ll be picking up a third basemen?
KT

Who’s to say he plays when he’s healthy other than as a pinch runner?

http://farinella.com/ David Farinella

I’m cranky, so I’m attempting to temper my reaction…. but, I assume he’s going to play because the manager continues to say he’s going to play.

KT

I myself don’t see it happening especially if cruz and Hanley are still producing…I see Donnie changing his mind

http://farinella.com/ David Farinella

And maybe he’ll begin starting runners to avoid the GIDP.
http://veryolddodgerfan.blogspot.com/ veryolddodgerfan

uh when did hanley and cruz start producing. must have missed those games. if by producing you mean batting 220 then i get it.
KT

ok I’ll rephrase that….Producing more than Dee and in most clutch situations

Anonymous

There comes a time when it has to be something in the system or management that is just plain wrong. Average talent cannot do something so negative for a consistantly long time.(although Colorado is making me wonder). But not quite enough. These offensive players for the dodgers can not be this bad without some kind of encouragment.! I think this Victorino has to go.

Anonymous

is English your first language?

KT

Nice Shane..now drive him in Jerry
KT

Come on Matty
KT

If Shane had tagged…it would have been 1-0

Good eye Matty

Come on Dre

Anonymous

It was a strong throw. He might have been out.

Anonymous

Vinny reminiscing about outfielders throwing to a base. Guess he forgot about Matty’s epic four bounce throw home in Milwaukee.
KT

Come on Hanley…make them pay for disrespecting you
http://farinella.com/ David Farinella

What a change watching Hanley bat versus Mr. Rule 8 Violation.

http://farinella.com/ David Farinella

Although he made the out, it was nice to see him get the count full and show some patience. Now, if he would just keep both hands on the bat.

Anonymous

Speaking of last night was it Loney who hit a grounder off the 1B, it went into foul ground, then a fan touched it. Why wasn’t that ruled a ground rule double?

KT

fan interfered before it reached the seats
Anonymous

I guess because the fan reached into the field to try to grab it. Even though it would have gone into the stands.

KT

I actually slowed down that play to see if the guy actually touched the ball before it reached foul territory…the ball would have hit the padded wall if he didn’t touch it

Anonymous

Ohhh, I was just going off the TV replays.

KT

I originally thought the ball reached foul territory before the guy touched it…that’s why I slowed it frame by frame

Anonymous

It was AJ and, in my opinion, he should have gotten second because the spectator (who was removed from the stadium) touched it.

Anonymous

Is it just me, or does every Dodger inning seem to start with 1 out?
Anonymous

How frustrating it much be for the Colorado starting pitchers tonight and last night to hurl four shutout innings each and then be removed.

Anonymous

It’s more frustrating to watch the Dodgers do nothing against sub-mediocre pitchers.

http://farinella.com/ David Farinella

Amen.

Anonymous

EY’s becoming a major irritation.
http://underdog.typepad.com/ underdog

So… Just tuning back in. Looks like I’ve missed… nothing. At all.
1 hit? Yikes.So is this a habit for our Dodgers, come home to play, and not have any offense the early part of the week? (See: Last week at this time.)Oh well. Still 5 innings to go! Can’t let this blow up horribly here though.
KT

Come on DP

KT

I asked and I received…got to love it

Now lets gets some hits and runs

Start It Off Shane!!
Anonymous

asked and answered!

Anonymous

You guys are my pulse to the game, TWC took a nose dive straight down tonight, anybody else with that problem?
Anonymous

Minimal damage, but when will they score?
http://www.twitter.com/ElJefedor Jeffrey Thomas III

Harang is very lucky to only have given up 1 run tonight. Sadly that may be all the Rox need the way Dodgers are (or aren’t) hitting.
Anonymous

here’s a scary headline from dodgers.com:Mattingly would welcome Victorino back to LA

Anonymous

Ha, well we could do worse…

Anonymous

His slash line against RHP is 238/294/342 that should put an end to any optimistic and/or positive comments.

Anonymous

I would say if he proves himself with a dynamic stretch drive, he’s worth consideration.

http://farinella.com/ David Farinella

See Rivera, J. for examples of Ned paying a veteran who comes into the stretch drive and “contributes.” I wish he would watch the trend of the player’s performance over the past couple of years rather than the two months of magic they have while playing for a contract.

http://farinella.com/ David Farinella

This all started when Donnie switched to 88.

Anonymous

88 is a great number though.

Anonymous

We put the leadoff man on four times last night, not yet tonight.
Anonymous

for in-between innings -> http://www.loc.gov/today/pr/2012/12-123.html (looks at BTimmer) really interesting read, now i know why Ben Franklin was a rock star in his day, other very interesting notes as well.
Anonymous

Whoever titled this film could face some legal consequences. I’d be surprised if the dodgers were that quick to simply give up their team nickname without a fight.

Anonymous

Huh?

Anonymous

I think it’s a poke at the Dodgers’ weak offense lately.
Anonymous

We cant hit anything. Forget the curve.

Anonymous

Come on offense!
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_7VN5CNNJSLBZQXS3NX7DTIUTA4 jasonu

6 hits in our last 15 innings is pathetic!
http://farinella.com/ David Farinella

Wasn’t it about this time last year when Jeff Pentland was fired?
Anonymous

Does it look like there slowing figuring out the pitcher or do they look as confused as they did yesterday?
KT

Come on K then DP…or DP then K or whatever gets us an out doesn’t matter ^_^
http://farinella.com/ David Farinella

Well, this is going to be a long month.

Anonymous

That doesn’t bode well for the following month, nor the one after…

Anonymous

It doesn’t appear that the Dodger batters are going to reprise The Guns of August.

http://farinella.com/ David Farinella

I’d prefer the Guns of Brixton.
Anonymous

Sooner rather than later, they will – there is simply too much talent for this to continue. In the short term, stuff happens.

Anonymous

I agree. It’s just that there have been too many “short terms” this season.

Anonymous

The same is true for the Snakes and especially for the Gnats, who have been extraordinarily lucky this season. They’ll come back down to earth, and the Dodgers will recover their form. I still expect the Dodgers to win the division by at least five over the Snakes.

Anonymous

Tracy’s decision to let relief pitcher Roenicke bat with two runners in scoring position with one out shows his faith in his pitcher and his disdain for the Dodger hitters.
KT

Come on Luis
KT

Nice eye AJ
Anonymous

Re earlier comments on Victorino: here is a very critical look at his inability to hit right-handed pitching dated 7/26 that I believe Jon provided a link to on the day of the trade.
http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/shane-victorinos-one-dimensional-bat/
http://profile.yahoo.com/4VBG6TW2MVJSBLIB2G6TKGSJT4 kjgyufyutfuty

Move AJ up.
http://farinella.com/ David Farinella

If Rivera strikes out I hope they DFA him in between innings.
KT

WTP
KT

Good hit Shane
KT

Come on Blue
http://farinella.com/ David Farinella

Love the kid in the Magic jersey in the background.
KT

Can of corn…wasted opportunity
Anonymous

Colorado has the highest ERA in the majors. Anyone know what the home/away breakdown is?

Anonymous

Alot vs. everybody else. Squat against us
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_U3DPMRWHEJOLO4JUFORAC5VFLI Josh

After Monday’s game 6.14 ERA at home, but a still awful 4.58 on the road.

Anonymous

Thank you.
http://twitter.com/madbeatboy Rob Carnachan

Actually, 4.58 isn’t bad for a team ERA. I’d take that for the Dodgers most years. It just means you have to have a decent offense to win consistently.

KT

Rockies have not beat the same team on consecutive days since 5/30 -5/31
Anonymous

We need a sense of perspective here. Over the course of 162 games, bad teams can beat good teams.
KT

Come on Matty start it off
KT

I’m in the middle of a good book and this fact isn’t helping me want to watch so I say to all of you Good Night and I hope i wake up to a Dodger victory

Anonymous

Are you reading “The Agony and the Ecstasy”?
http://farinella.com/ David Farinella

Confederacy of Dunces?

http://farinella.com/ David Farinella

Maybe KT was the curse? LOL.

KT

So I was a jinx because we actually scored a run after I left but still loss 3-1?…I’ve viewed more winning games than losing….So actually I don’t see it…sorry ^_^

http://farinella.com/ David Farinella

KT, totally kidding. Totally.

Anonymous

Hey, something weird just happened.
Anonymous

What was that?

Anonymous

We scored on the Rockies.

http://www.linkmeister.com/wordpress/ Linkmeister

“Injury delay?” Who, what?

Anonymous

Ramon Hernandez took a foul ball to the the throat. But he stayed in the game.

http://www.linkmeister.com/wordpress/ Linkmeister

Thanks.

http://farinella.com/ David Farinella

Dodger offense kicked square in the stones.

http://www.linkmeister.com/wordpress/ Linkmeister

This is sad. Why on earth does every hitter on the team slump at the same time? It’s a mystery.
Anonymous

Hey Shane, thanks for running that grounder out. You’re right, there’s no way we could score 2 runs with 2 outs.

Anonymous

He woke up too early.

Anonymous

Another disappointing evening. This team remains hard to fathom.
http://twitter.com/madbeatboy Rob Carnachan

I’m getting sort of mad now. The Giants just swept the Rockies, a team with the worst starting pitching in MLB, scoring over 30 runs in 3 games. We play the Rockies immediately afterward and manage only 9 hits and 1 run in two games. The obvious conclusion is that our offense is just not fixable. I thought the recent additions would improve our run-scoring abilities, but they haven’t seemed to. It’s as though anybody who puts on the Dodger uniform suddenly forgets how to hit. It defies all logical explanation. On a side note, has anybody else noticed that Andre Ethier stopped being a productive hitter about the time he signed his contract extension?

Anonymous

from June 17 at dodgers.com
Dodgers right fielder Andre Ethier has turned things around recently after signing a five-year, $85 million extension this week. In the four games since the announcement, he has gone 6-for-14 with two runs, two RBIs and two walks entering Sunday’s game.Prior to this stretch, Ethier had been struggling. He hit 5-for-38 during a 10-game road trip. His grand slam against Seattle one week ago snapped a homerless streak that dated back to May 21.After hitting .366 in May, Ethier has hit just .196 this month. Before signing his extension, the right fielder’s average had steadily dropped from .333 to .287 over the last few weeks. He’s got it back to .295 heading into Sunday’s game.

http://twitter.com/madbeatboy Rob Carnachan

But what has he done over the past 6 weeks? Aside from the key hit in Sunday’s win over the Cubs, he’s largely been MIA. A guy who should be a consistent 30 HR/100 RBI guy on a yearly basis has been stuck with 11 HR and around 60 RBI for two months now. Not acceptable. Glad to hear the boos tonight.

Anonymous

I agree; that’s why I said “a little too strong” I can’t see that the contract is involved is what I was trying to indicate perhaps I wasn’t clear
Anonymous

In 6 seasons prior to this one, Ethier’s hit 30 HRs just once in his career. He’s hit 20+ just 3 times.

Anonymous

Your claim is a little too strong, imo. Ethier OPS in April: 870, May 1 to May 30: 1066, May 31 to June 11: 389 then contract then June 12 to June 16 as in article I posted: 1000, June 17 to July 31: 766 but with only 1HR and 6 RBI so it depends on whether that is considered productive. He went on the DL in this period and hit better after i.e, in July than in late June. August has been bad OPS 528

Anonymous

How can an offense be not fixable? Is there something inherent in the nature of the Dodgers players that prevents them from hitting?

The team has been streaky this year. When the team’s offense was playing well early in the season, this team still got swept at home. By the Brewers. In four games.

Anonymous

>> The team has been streaky this year.

Starting July 14: four losses, five wins, three losses, three wins, three losses, three wins, two losses.

Anonymous

Yesterday, I happened to notice and posted how bad our record is when Jerry Hairston plays. This surprised me. The team is now 25-35 when Hairston starts and 7-8 when he comes in but doesn’t start.
I found no strong anomalies with any other important players. The most surprising from the less used were Elian Herrera 18-23 when he started, Scott Van Slyke 4-9 in his starts but 12-2 in other games in which he played, and Justin Sellers 8-4 in his starts and 7-0 in his other games, that’s 15-4 all together

Anonymous

I think it’s a function of which players get playing time when the team is hot, and which players get playing time when the team isn’t. For example, Justin Sellers was playing in April and May when the team was doing well, but got hurt and had no playing time in June and July when the team stank/stinks. And for Hairston and Herrera it’s the reverse. It’s not that they are necessarily the *cause* of the team doing well or not. I don’t think anyone would claim that the lack of Justin Sellers is why the Dodgers have been losing so much lately.

Anonymous

Sellers says hello.

Anonymous

No need to fear, Adam Kennedy will be back soon.

http://underdog.typepad.com/ underdog

And hopefully batting 5th like the good luck charm he is!

http://veryolddodgerfan.blogspot.com/ veryolddodgerfan

are you suggesting these numbers mean something?

Anonymous

Just the opposite. They are coincidences.

Anonymous

Oh please tell us the Dodger Record with Loney and Rivera starting.

Anonymous

ESPN has had a few good articles lately on their Dodgers Report page, including “The listlessness goes on” and their latest “Is this offense stuck on awful?”. http://espn.go.com/blog/los-angeles/dodger-report

Anonymous

And this is the new and improved offense

http://underdog.typepad.com/ underdog

New free-spending Dodgers owners quickly putting stingy McCourt era in past
(From Jon Heyman)
http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/story/19747060/new-freespending-dodgers-owners-quickly-putting-stingy-mccourt-era-in-past

http://underdog.typepad.com/ underdog

Hm, thought that was from today since Heyman just tweeted it, actually from yesterday. Anyway, in case you missed it…

Anonymous

Hard to believe there’s an audience for an audience watching an audience watching beach volleyball, but apparently, there is.
MEDIA ADVISORY**Dodger catcher Matt Treanor will be available to the media to discuss the Olympic beach volleyball gold medal match. Video footage of Treanor watching the gold medal match is expected to be available on the Dodgers’ FTP site. No word of whether there will be footage of May-Treanor watching the Dodger game from her London hotel room.

Anonymous

More exciting than this offense. Donnie needs to get tossed. Make something up to argue about, I don’t care. Find something to yell about.

Jack Dawkins

And give Vin more to translate!
Anonymous

Find something to yell about.
Like the price of tea in China.

Anonymous

Its interesting to wonder if the 75 pitch limit is starting to work for the Rockies? Maybe the pitchers have become acclimated to it. And maybe that’s what shutdown the dodger offense? Rather than an entire team slump. I think the theory has a lot of merit. It protects the pitchers from injuries and makes them be more focused.

Anonymous

If it doesn’t work against the Gnats, even in Denver, it’s just a gimmick. Admittedly, with Jonathan Sanchez on the mound, nothing would work anywhere, but that doesn’t explain the other two days.

http://veryolddodgerfan.blogspot.com/ veryolddodgerfan

An interesting thing about a group of human beings trying to do anything is the large number of THINGS that can affect the outcome of whatever they’re trying to do. In Managing large groups the results of an individual can matter very little or it can change everything. people who are marginal can be above average in a certain group dynamic. The best performer can lose his/her mojo and never do much again because of something that happened in the group dynamic. a person can develop into a leader or the heaviest anchor. the factors and outcomes are endless. how can people believe any number definitively explains what happened. numbers are so inadequate.

Anonymous

Yet everything regresses to a mean at some point, whether that’s someone’s individual ability or the species as a whole.

http://veryolddodgerfan.blogspot.com/ veryolddodgerfan

i think it’s the opposite

Anonymous

Well, that’s understandable, they were still teaching Lamarckian evolution in your school days, right?

Alex Chavez

A Comeback for Lamarckian Evolution:

http://www.technologyreview.com/news/411880/a-comeback-for-lamarckian-evolution/
Anonymous

Is he strong? Listen bud, He’s got radioactive blood.

Anonymous

…and a river runs through it.

Anonymous

Is that theory X or theory Y?
BTW numbers are the only true universal language.

http://veryolddodgerfan.blogspot.com/ veryolddodgerfan

numbers are the most dangerous things in the world. an analogy might be the robot.

Anonymous

If we don’t win the west, it seems like a good bet that Donnie B is done here.

Among 1Bs with over 550 2012 innings (a group of 25), prorated for innings played, James is now the most error-prone player in the bigs. He also has the worst FP of this group.

http://veryolddodgerfan.blogspot.com/ veryolddodgerfan

i’ll take that bet. How much?

http://veryolddodgerfan.blogspot.com/ veryolddodgerfan

Well?

Anonymous

Thanks, vodf, but when I want to bet on matters baseball, I do it legit at the Hilton.

I don’t think it’s lost on Magic that Donnie has never won a pennant.

http://veryolddodgerfan.blogspot.com/ veryolddodgerfan

you think Magic is going to be making any decisions like that? you need some real life learning
Anonymous

In my business experience 4% ownership of a structure combined with a strong history of success in the general field where the business operates gets a good listen from other owners if s/he feels strongly about something.

Murdoch’s personal stake in Fox isn’t much relatively bigger AFAIK, and he’s had a little bit of influence.
http://veryolddodgerfan.blogspot.com/ veryolddodgerfan

Well in my business experience 4 percent maybe gets you a listen. but that’s it. 4 percent has no influence whatsoever on the decision. comparing magic and murdock’s situations may be the silliest thing you’ve ever said and shows a lack of business understanding. but there’s nothing wrong with that on a baseball blog.
Anonymous

I don’t think it’s lost on Magic that Donnie is now only in his second season as manager.

I’m with VODF. He’s done a lot better than anyone could have expected with this team, and he’s not going anywhere.

As for your anti-Loney comments, we all know what your agenda is by your login name. It’s easy to see how you bent over backwards by misleadingly wording your statement the way you did, like saying that he’s the “most error prone player ever” (rather than most error-prone first baseman ever) and like looking at innings played instead of fielding chances accepted. We’ve all been watching Loney for years and we can’t be fooled. If it were a matter of fielding, we’d all be loving Loney. It isn’t, and we’re not.
Anonymous

Sorry if I’m rule 8 there, I’ll leave it alone. Just thought that becoming the league leader in Es and lowest FP was notable.

Alex Chavez

If we don’t win the west, it’s because we’ve had players like Kennedy, Hariston, Loney, Uribe, Gordon, M. Ellis, Shane, Gwynn, and Eli swinging toothpicks for too long a stretch.

This reflects more on our GM than Donnie. I think most analysts would say the Dodgers over-achieved to this point, and would give credit to Donnie.

Anonymous

I generally agree. Ned, Donnie, our ABQ/RC/etc infield prospects and the mysterious state of the parking lots are all artifacts of the previous ownership group and should probably be viewed as a whole.
Anonymous

I would be happy to give him a great reference, for his next job.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_7VN5CNNJSLBZQXS3NX7DTIUTA4 jasonu

I’d agree with this. I think so does management based on all the moves they made and all the ones they wanted to.
Anonymous

Yeah, I agree. I think Colletti simply didn’t put a good team out there.

Anonymous

”Any and all quote/unquote leaders on this 2012 Dodgers roster – please report to the white courtesy phone” …
…
Kemp, Ethier, Ramirez, Kershaw, – Come on fellas!
…
I’m beginning to think that Hanley Ramirez is no leader whatsoever. The only thing he is … is a really physically talented enigma. Don’t get me wrong, I love the physically talented part. But, I don’t think others look to him for leadership…. In fact, he strikes me as a guy that needs others to kinda “light a fire under his behind” from time to time….
…
Andre Ethier (I’ve recommended that he be traded over the last couple of years) is a “pseudo-star” here in LA. He’s had some noteworthy “walk-off”s…. He’s made some nice plays…. But, it’s becoming apparent to me that he is not a guy around whom others rally or improve. He’s a pretty talented, injury-prone, sensitive guy….but, mostly about himself, not so much his team.
…
PS – Juan Rivera … Way to “haul it in” on that throw from AJ on the past ball last night.-
In a word…..pathetic.

Anonymous

The amazing thing is that we did what we did without Kemp for a few weeks there.

The play since May 1 is to be expected, as is a total scoring drought when he’s slumping.
Anonymous

We agree on Ethier and Ozzie Guillen agrees with you regarding Ramirez.

Anonymous

Lots of totally subjective stuff there…
No stats….
Just callin’ it as I see it…
I realize it does not cut the mustard when it comes to the usual level of DT supporting info…

http://veryolddodgerfan.blogspot.com/ veryolddodgerfan

that’s OK Jonny Be Bold buddy. you make people’s day when they can go to BR and refute what people might say by reciting a stat line. you’re doing them a favor.

http://www.dodgerthoughts.com/ Jon Weisman

I’d say the chances of Mattingly returning to the Dodgers next year as manager are of Ivory Soap quality.

http://veryolddodgerfan.blogspot.com/ veryolddodgerfan

99.4%?

Anonymous

I really like Donny. I hope he stays…
….
However, who do you guys think will make up the next “hot list” of MLB potential managers?

Anonymous

Since most MLB managers are just recycled from guys who already had the job, the most likely candidate for any managerial opening of a good team will be Terry Francona.

Two managers who took over teams this year had never managed anywhere before: Mike Matheny and Robin Ventura.

Anonymous

good call, btimm….
….
how about Mickey Hatcher?
Anonymous

How about ex Dodger Ron Roenicke?
Anonymous

Or Wallach. Did he not manage at AAA?
Anonymous

I hope not Bruce. I believe he has been a big part of any successes this year and last.

Anonymous

99.44%

http://veryolddodgerfan.blogspot.com/ veryolddodgerfan

thanks i’m not good with stats

Anonymous

As I have been prone to post from time to time, 65% of stats are made up on the spot.

Anonymous

Is that from BR?

Anonymous

I guess there comes a time in every bloggers life when he/she has to have “the talk”…
…
I suppose now is the time….
So….. “What is BR” ?????
(bracing myself)

Anonymous

I think the chances that you are joking with that question are 99.44 percent. But on the 0.56 percent chance that I am mistaken and you are not, BR is a reference to the statistical website http://www.baseball-reference.com

(Note to newbies here – you’re welcome to ask basic questions and we’ll try to answer them respectfully. After all, we were all DT newbies at one time. But JonnyTAFKAJ is not a newbie, which is why I assume he knows what BR is.)
Anonymous

Thanks nsxtasy.
I did not know that “BR” was “Baseball-Reference”…
So, THAT’s where all you guys get your stats….
Personally, I’ve just “googled” stuff…. (not very effective.)
Thanks.
Anonymous

Fair enough. Then here’s some more info about using B-R.

You can enter a player’s name into the search field to look up his records. That will get you to his basic player stats. You can then “mouse over” the Game Logs function to call up his stats for individual games, and the Splits function to call up his split stats, such as stats for lefties vs righties, stats by month, etc. You can also click on Minors for his minor-league stats.

The B-R home page has standings where you can click on the team’s name to find team stats. Also from the home page, you can click on Play Index to look at player stats for a season, a career, etc, although sometimes it will give you only partial results (e.g. hiding the first ten names or not showing you anything after the first twenty) unless you subscribe and pay them for premium content.

HTH
http://veryolddodgerfan.blogspot.com/ veryolddodgerfan

OH NO JONNY’s Going to the DARK SIDE
http://veryolddodgerfan.blogspot.com/ veryolddodgerfan

Jonny always remember this:

“Statistics are used much like a drunk uses a lamp post: for support, not illumination.” – Vin Scully
Anonymous

BR is Baseball Reference, a source you should bookmark so that you can easily find stats to bolster any argument you’d like to convene, here or elsewhere.

For example, Hanley Ramirez is slugging .380 as a Dodger, down 40 points from his anemic performance with Miami. I still like the signing, but so far, he hasn’t delivered what I expected of him.

Victorino has been even worse, slugging just .240 as a Dodger. I’m willing to dismiss such a Gwynntastic performance based on small sample size (six games). But he needs to pick up the pace soon.
Anonymous

I can’t wait to use this tool.
Thanks for the help.
Anonymous

And Matingley is now saying Victorino is filling a need–that of providing a leadoff hitter of which the Dodgers haven’t had since Dee started his fade.
Anonymous

Bumsrap–Victorino was supposed to fill two needs: left field and leadoff hitter. So far, he has been one of those things.

http://veryolddodgerfan.blogspot.com/ veryolddodgerfan

no that would be from BS

Anonymous

Well it is a weak division, we did have the best record in baseball, there are now two wild cards; if we were to be on the outside looking in when the season is over Mattingly would have to take much (if not most) of the heat.
Anonymous

I expect Jon’s right, but I continue to be troubled by Mattingly’s willingness to wait around for the GIDP. When your power hitters aren’t doing it, you need to start a runner in circumstances other than a 3-2 count with two out and the bases full. Make something happen.

Anonymous

Especially when the league leader in GIDP is at the plate.
Anonymous

Didn’t Scioscia and the Angels win the Series playing that type of ball?

Anonymous

Yes, in 1937.

Anonymous

Last night’s horrible performance did two weird things:

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/odds/

it dropped the D’s odds by over 10% AND made the 1-day and 7-day delta match.

NB, BP is finally starting to hate the Red Sox, they had an even worse week.

Anonymous

Very interesting!

Anonymous

Home run for Old Friend Dioner Navarro in Cincinnati.

Anonymous

Randy Wolf, who unfortunately gave it up, more clearly merits the title of “Old Friend.”

Anonymous

http://www.teamrankings.com/mlb/stat/opponent-7th-inning-runs-per-game

We’ve recently been league-leading in runs given away in the 7th.

Anonymous

It’s a meaningless stat. Look, four of the seven worst teams are leading their divisions!

Anonymous

True, but it is related to the pen being particularly bad lately.

Anonymous

Since we’re one of the best teams, then the bullpen has been good, not bad.

The bullpen has NOT been particularly bad lately. When we keep losing 2-0, 3-1, etc, the problem is not with the pitching.

Right now the Dodgers rank 2nd in MLB in ERA overall (to Washington), including 2nd for starting pitchers (ditto) and 9th for relievers (with Cincinnati on top).

Anonymous

Is that what we’re doing. Pretending there wasn’t an earthquake yesterday & today.

Anonymous

No earthquake here!
Anonymous

In California, minor tremors are a daily occurrence.

Anonymous

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1987_Whittier_Narrows_earthquake

same fault as that one

Anonymous

In the past week, there have been 341 earthquakes in California: http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsus/Maps/US10/32.42.-125.-115.php

Anonymous

There was one Sunday night about 12:30 that was strong enough to be felt here. Was centered north of Paso Robles.

foul tip

Found this fooling around the si.com vault. From 1960, a remembrance of Ebbets Field. Reads a bit like you had to be there, or at least be following the team at the time to get all the references. Which I wasn’t, wasn’t, and don’t. Maybe some here will, though it was before most of our times.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1134637/index.htm
Anonymous

Can we please get off this swept, sweep, swept, sweep carnival ride now – it’s making me queasy.
Anonymous

Tonight’s starter for the Rockies is sporting a 6.02 ERA. So I’m predicting a 2-0 loss for the Dodgers tonight.

Anonymous

Sounds about right after the first two stinkers of the series, but I’m thinking the odds have to be VERY long that the Bums will get swept by a vastly inferior Colorado squad. Dodgers win this one.
Anonymous

Sounds a bit pessimistic. How about an old fashioned victory without a hit,

http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/LAN/LAN200806280.shtml

http://www.facebook.com/people/Jim-Hitchcock/1676059435 Jim Hitchcock

I was camping in the Sierra during that game, running to the car every 30 minutes to hear the score on KFI (Dodgers station to weak to pull in). Took awhile to find out how 1 run on 0 hits had happened.

foul tip

OT….probably good for some laughs, which we all could use right now. There are, or were, a couple fishermen at DT, so they’ll probably get the been-there, done-some-of-that aspect.

http://www.snotr.com/video/5987/Fishing_Bloopers
Anonymous

Angels bullpen gets blown apart once again – gives up 5 in the 7th to turn a 5-4 lead into a 9-5 deficit.

Anonymous

Couple of relievers for Morales

Anonymous

Doubtful Morales would clear waivers.

Anonymous

If he did, would you be willing to part with Guerra? I would have rather seen him move to Philadelphia than Lindblom.
Anonymous

True.

Anonymous

Greinke was pretty bad too.

Anonymous

Why did Scioscia pull him after five? It’s not like he has Gagne in that pen.

Anonymous

The problem with the Angels’ ‘pen isn’t so much the closer (Gagne) – in this case Frieri - as it is the middle guys - They are in shambles.

Anonymous

I was being facetious. Nobody knows who middle relievers are, even the good ones.

I would much rather be the Dodgers than the Angels right now, even though I think the Angels would still beat them.

http://www.facebook.com/people/Terry-Pruett/1707390003 Terry Pruett

The real question is why he left LaTroy Hawkins in to get his posterior handed to him.

Anonymous

Hawkins has actually been quite good for the Angels. He’s gotten better with age, if that’s possible.

Anonymous

With Wolf starting plus the Navarro HR I read about here I assumed the Reds won but in a low scoring game Brewers score 2 off Broxton in the bottom of the 8th helped by a throwing error by Navarro to win 3-2. In old friends Cincinnati won 4-1.
Anonymous

I don’t know much about advanced fielding statistics but here is a page from fan graphs on 2012 first basemen with over 350 innings played. Loney is worst in ErrR but among the best in a far number of stats.http://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=1b&stats=fld&lg=all&qual=350&type=1&season=2012&month=0&season1=2012&ind=0&team=0&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&sort=21,a
http://www.dodgerthoughts.com/ Jon Weisman

NPUT

Dodger Thoughts

Jon Weisman's outlet for dealing psychologically with the Los Angeles Dodgers and baseball.

The anti-’Moneyball’: ‘Trouble With the Curve’