Where do I start with Game 2.  Awesome, Awesome, Awesome.  I love a good Dodgers beat down.  As I write this, it is 12-1 in the 9th.   Here I thought Brad Penny would pitch like he did last weekend when I was there, and he just didn’t have it. 

Obviously I could have changed the post to wonder if the best Dodger pickup was Ronnie Belliard.  That grand slam in the 1st inning set the whole tone.  Then it was run after run and homeruns galore.  I like Blake DeWitt, so seeing him even get into the action was great fun.

It was great to see Pierre even get a hit with two outs.  I’m convinced that Juan Pierre is going to play a big part in the playoffs for the Dodgers, and it may just be a clutch hit at the right time.

Now to my focus.  Jon Garland pitched great today.  Even more, he has pitched great for the Dodgers.  I don’t know if it is the new team, or just more offense, but he has been a great pick up.  I think he may be a great pick up for years to come.  As they go into the playoffs, its hard to know where he will pitch.  He may not be the #1 this year, but he could be there in years to come.  He’s just solid, and he may be the difference for the rotation.

Well – Happy Birthday to me – the game is final and the Dodgers won 12-1.  My one request today was to watch the whole game.  I have to thank the Dodgers next time I talk to them for working together for a great game and memory.  The best comment I heard from a Giants fan today, “Isn’t there some sort of mercy rule?”  Love it.

Until tomorrow, who do you think is the best Dodgers pickup?

Tags: Blake DeWitt, Brad Penny, Jon Garland, Juan Pierre, Ronnie Belliard

Dodger games on TV are a premium up here, so I was pretty excited about today’s exhibition game between the Dodgers and Giants.  It’s funny though, I forgot that it was the day before Opening Day, therefore most of the regulars are on the bench…including Manny.

It’s an interesting game though because you got to see the depth or lack of depth of the Dodgers lineup this year.  Juan Pierre, Mark Loretta, Brad Ausmus, Blake DeWitt – all decent players but all the bench guys for this coming year.

What caught my attention though were the starters who were in there – James McDonald, Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier and James Loney.  Obviously, there isn’t a back up for every spot, so you have to keep some regulars.

Here’s where my thoughts turned to concern.  Let’s think worst case scenario this year.  If Manny, Kemp or Eithier go down, Pierre is the everyday.  If two go down, it becomes a different question.

If Blake, Furcal, or Hudson go down, then you have Blake DeWitt or Mark Loretta.  Similarly, Martin goes down, then Ausmus.

Here’s the one that I couldn’t answer though.  What happens if Loney goes down?  I’m convinced the guy will win the batting title some day and he doesn’t seem prone to injury, but you never know what will happen.  I guess Casey Blake could go over there, but who else?  Mientkiewicz is an easy answer if he makes the team, but that hasn’t been decided yet.

I’m sure the Dodgers top brass have thought through this scenario, but it isn’t really obvious. 

Well, back to the game.  McDonald looks a little shaky.  Pierre is running like always.  Ethier doesn’t seem quite right yet, but Loney looks solid.  Bengie Molina and Randy Winn continue to be Dodger killers.

Let the Season begin!

Tags: Andre Ethier, Bengie Molina, Blake DeWitt, Brad Ausmus, Casey Blake, Doug Mientkiewicz, James Loney, James McDonald, Juan Pierre, Manny Ramirez, Mark Loretta, Matt Kemp, Orlando Hudson, Rafael Furcal, Randy Winn, Russell Martin

To conclude the Top 7 Things Learned at Camelback Ranch, I thought I would have some fun and give a quiz. Part of the fun of going to Spring Training is seeing the players up close, and trying to recognize them outside of uniform. Here’s a little test to see if you can pick out the players. I’ll try to start easy and get harder. Answers at the bottom.

A)

B)

C)

D)

E) (Hard One)

So, how did you do?

Here’s the answers:

A) Jason Schmidt B) Randy Wolf C) Blake DeWitt  D) Ned Colletti  E) Andre Ethier (left) and Don Mattingly (Right)

Thanks for the memories Camelback Ranch.  Great First Season and we’ll see you next year.

Tags: Andre Ethier, Blake DeWitt, Don Mattingly, Jason Schmidt, Ned Colletti, Randy Wolf

So Orlando Hudson is now a Dodger. There’s been a lot written on him and whether he should be a Dodger, but I don’t think it’s a bad move. He is a proven defender (which the Dodgers needed), and if he has a good year, he could be great on offense too.

My cousin lives in Arizona and wrote this to me on facebook:
“Nice pick of of O-Dog (Orlando Hudson). That’s a big sting to D-backs fans, he was a favorite.”

This actually says a lot to me. If he was a fan favorite, that means he hustles and gets the job done.  Adding people like that to the team only makes the team better. It does create a little potential log jam in the in-field, (I do like DeWitt) but that’s probably ok. Jon Weisman’s blog makes a good point that given Furcal’s injury history, a little redundancy is a good thing.

Given the money, this deal is a steal.  I think Ned Colletti’s new nickname should be “The Bargain Hunter.”  I don’t know that this is a compliment given his job, but man does he grab the deals.  It honestly makes you wonder if there is a special clause in his contract that if he cuts a certain amount off contracts that he gets a commission.  He didn’t seem to get that from Brian Sabean (Ahh the Zito contract will never die), but he does seem to have it.

The biggest knock against Hudson is that he makes the Dodgers give their #17 pick to the Diamondbacks.  Giving away minor league players doesn’t seem to be a problem to The Bargain Hunter.  Good, bad, or indifferent, he has always preferred the proven “bird in the hand, rather than two in the bush.”  Here’s a great article by Mike Scioscia’s Tragic Illness on how recent #17 pics have turned out.  There’s been a lot more that haven’t worked out…but the list does make you cringe a little bit…especially Cole Hamels.

Either way, the move continues to bolster the offense and defense, and pulls help from the Diamondbacks at least this year.  Now if only we could still find more pitching…

Let me know your thoughts – Do you like Hudson?

Tags: Blake DeWitt, Cole Hamels, Ned Colletti, Orlando Hudson

So I’m sitting here waiting for the big game to start, with a few minutes to add a post. I always love the Superbowl, one because I’m a football fan, but more because it means one thing: Baseball season is finally here again. Truly, as football ends, fans turn back to baseball. Sounds good to me.

So as I looked at the Cardinals and Steelers, it’s pretty clear why the two teams are there. The Steelers have the best defense, and a very good offense. The Cardinals have an explosive offense, and very solid defense. I’m totally rooting for the underdog Cardinals in this game. I love Kurt Warner and think he is great for football, and life in general. He’s a true hero kids can root for.

So as I tried to tie the Superbowl back to the Dodgers, I started to get a little discouraged. Look at the two teams – their best traits are solid defense and explosive offense. As of this day in the off-season – how many of those do the Dodgers have…none. Yeah, none.

If they get Manny, they could have the explosive offense, but still not to the likes of the Rays, or Yankees, or even the Phillies.

As for Defense, going with Furcal and DeWitt, gives some, but definitely not top tier. It’s even worse if you add pitching to the mix. So does that mean the Dodgers will be bad? Not necessarily, but I do believe it will be hard to win the big show given the team they have right now. I think it will be hard even if they get Manny. I just don’t feel the pitching will be strong enough. If Schmidt comes back, they’ll be closer, but even if Billingsley becomes Lincecum, they’ll still need a strong number 2 and 3.

We’ll see as the season starts – but Colletti still has work to do.

Well – the Steelers just settled for a Field Goal. I haven’t see all the commercials yet, but that first Doritos commercial was hilarious.

Comments on my Dodgers – Cardinals/Steelers comparison. Let me know.

Tags: Arizona Cardinals, Blake DeWitt, Jason Schmidt, Kurt Warner, Manny Ramirez, Pittsburgh Steelers, Rafael Furcal, Tim Lincecum