Dodgers 2, Angels 2
The Dodgers played the Angels and DIDN'T LOSE!!!!!!! Andre Ethier, playing RF, impersonated Dave Parker in the 1979 All-Star Game (look THAT ONE up) and threw out two runners on the basepaths, including his Vlad-ness trying to stretch a single in the sixth inning and Brandon Wood trying to score on a would-be sac fly in the eighth. Blake DeWitt took another step toward being the opening-day 3B by making a game-saving stop of a ball hit by Maicer Izturis in the eighth that would have gone up the LF line, turning it instead into a harmless infield single. DeWitt then worked a six-pitch walk with two outs in the ninth to load the bases, only to have Juan Pierre fly out two pitches later, leaving the bases loaded and leaving Pierre's average for the spring at a ro(bust) .179.
After the game, Joe Torre still wouldn't shed any light on the OF situation.
``I'll let you know when I know,'' he said.
In other words, he'll let us know when he figures out how to break the news to JP. That's why Joe gets paid what he gets paid. As for why JP gets paid what he gets paid, well, that isn't entirely clear.
Dodgers go to 9-17-4 for the spring. As Ned Colletti pointed out in Joe's office, they become the first team in the history of baseball to play to a tie in Florida, Arizona, China and California, all in the same spring. Woo-hooooooo!!!!
Tony Jackson has covered the Dodgers for the Daily News since 2004 and has covered Major League Baseball on a regular basis since 1995. He previously covered the Colorado Rockies and Cincinnati Reds. He is a native of Springdale, Ark., and a graduate of the University of Arkansas.
Comments
" As for why JP gets paid what he gets paid, well, that isn't entirely clear."
Bravo!
Posted by: J.L.
|
March 27, 2008 10:38 PM
"As for why JP gets paid what he gets paid, well, that isn't entirely clear."
As I recall, at the presser to announce the signing, the GM said that he gets on base an awful lot.
Of course the biggest problem is HOW LONG he gets paid.
Posted by: El Lay Dave
|
March 27, 2008 10:44 PM
Don't be silly Tony. Never admit when you make a mistake. That's my motto.
Trading Bradley/APerez for Ethier ranks right up there with the Pedro Martinez trade in terms of stupidity.
And I'm a soothsayer of the sort. I'm kickin' butt on my NCAA tournament pool.
PS - I hope James Loney lays an egg this year.
And once again I'd like to thank Jon Weisman for giving me an outlet to express my disdain for the Dodger organization.
Posted by: joeyp at dodgerthoughts | March 28, 2008 4:54 AM
I really feel for JP. It looks like the prolonged negativity and total lack of support from the fans, media, and his teammates has finally caught up with him and, being human, he's retreated into a shell and virtually given up. It's easy for us (including me) to constantly harp on his shortcomings and performance, but I wonder what we would do were we in his situation. IMO the damage is done and complete and the Dodgers have no choice but to move him for whatever they can get before the situation devolves any more. Don't look to put the blame on anyone as it falls on everyone. Just suck it up and move on. What a shame.
Posted by: ebbetsfld | March 28, 2008 6:04 AM
Ebbets, I feel that part of Pierre's problem is that he has never been forced to improve his baseball skills. He has never had a challenge to his starting role. This winter, Ethier worked on his arm, reads, and strenght to improve his power. For all the time that Pierre spends in the weight room, I have never seen him long toss, or take hundreds of flyballs in the outfield. One would think that with all of the lifting he does, that he would have some pop.
I feel no sympathy for the man. If we are constantly harping on his shortcomings, then why didn't he make an effort to improve those skills? The only blame here falls on Pierre, he is responsible for his skill set and to maximize his talent. From what I can see, it appears that he has rested on his laurels and that has left him a less productive player. The only person for Pierre to blame is in the mirror.
Posted by: Chris Torgrimsson | March 28, 2008 7:15 AM
Thanks for the props on the previous thread thunderbolt, that's my signature dish.
For Plaschke, I was thinking something raw with a little edginess (sort of like his writing!!!). How about.....Crow Tartare!
Posted by: Juan Pierre's flying helmet | March 28, 2008 7:44 AM
Pierre is what he is, a pinch runner. I don't even think he should be the 4th outfielder, Repko's a better option.. Repko is also fast, but can hit for power, and throw. Now I just hope management recognizes this, and is willing to do the right thing to win.
Posted by: Dodger Dawg | March 28, 2008 8:07 AM
Baseball has always had this disconnect with fans. As if we can't see what is clearly the truth. There's no secrets in baseball anymore, you can't hide them Ned. As certain as we were that Nomar needed to move to 3B or the bench last year to make way for Loney, it has become abundantly clear who belongs in LF. I can only presume management has some greater goal in mind. Boosting market value? Appeasing Juan? Giving Dre something to play for?
Honestly, Dre's stats from last year were enough to give him a starting job over Juan, he didn't need to improve at all. Yet, he looks as though he has and now the situation looks even clearer (as if it needed to...).
Adios, Juan.
Posted by: the captain | March 28, 2008 8:16 AM
Pierre isn't going away, folks. He's just losing his starting job. He'll recover and contribute something, mostly pinch hits & pinch runs I imagine. Don't forget, Dave Roberts was the hero of the Boston Red Sox 2004 playoff run without having an at-bat. Pinch running can be a crucial contribution. So can bunting for a base hit to lead off a (late) inning.
I have this gut feeling Andre is going to start, do well, and get traded for a SP by June. Colletti will say, "We had a surplus, so we were able to make this move for the good of the team. Our pitching is improved without hurting our offense." Bill Plaschke, remembering he wanted to trade Matt Kemp just on general principles, will be the first to anoint Ned a genius.
Depending on who we get back, maybe all of us will.
Posted by: Vail Beach | March 28, 2008 4:58 PM