Kevin Modesti's Words & Numbers

The Dodgers are calling themselves "the defending NL West co-champs" after finishing second in the division this summer.
That weird phrase appears at the bottom of news releases we've been receiving from Chavez Ravine since the end of the season, in small type that goes on to note the franchise's all-sports record for "cumulative attendance" (172 million fans!) and its six "world" championships.
The Dodgers aren't NL West co-champs. They and the Padres finished 88-74. To identify one team as the division champ and the other as the playoff wild card, the tie was broken by the Padres' 13-5 record in games against the Dodgers.
That's the rule, and everybody knew it going in.

Continue reading "Dodgers award themselves a title" »

Posted by Kevin Modesti at 07:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

J.D. Drew leaves us few vivid memories as he says goodbye to Los Angeles, opting out of the remaining three years and $33 million of his Dodgers contract this week to shop for better.
Here’s a moment I will remember.
You know how sometimes a batter, with a three-ball count, lets a pitch go by and takes a few steps toward first base, thinking the pitch missed or trying to sell the umpire, before it’s called a strike and he has to come back?
One night last season, Drew, facing a two-strike count, let a pitch go by and took a couple of steps toward the dugout, before it was called a ball and he came back, looking not quite as relieved or embarrassed as he should.

Continue reading "J.D. Drew and the Kirk Gibson Complex" »

Posted by Kevin Modesti at 05:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)