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2008 Los Angeles Dodgers!

normnorm I'm always home. I'm uncool. Posts: 31,147
edited October 2008 in All Encompassing Trip
ok joe now that you're here.....i expect to post here in october celebrating our first championship in 20 years :eek: i can't believe it's been that long.....:o

GO DODGERS!!!



How the Dodgers look as they open spring training today in Vero Beach, Fla.:

Who's new:
Center fielder Andruw Jones; pitcher Hiroki Kuroda; catcher Gary Bennett.

Who's gone:
Left fielder Luis Gonzalez; pitchers Mark Hendrickson, Roberto Hernandez, Chin-hui Tsao, David Wells, Randy Wolf; catcher Mike Lieberthal; first basemen Olmedo Saenz, Shea Hillenbrand.

Biggest question:
Can Jason Schmidt recover from major shoulder surgery?

Schmidt made only six starts in the first year of his three-year, $47-million contract, posting a 1-4 record with a 6.31 ERA. He hasn't suffered any setbacks in his rehabilitation and will be throwing off the mound at the start of camp. But it's uncertain if the 35-year-old can regain his velocity, which was down in his limited action last season. If Schmidt can come close to regaining the form that made him a three-time All-Star in San Francisco, a rotation that includes him, Brad Penny and Derek Lowe could be one of the best in baseball. With the club saying it will be patient in moving Schmidt along, Esteban Loaiza or Hong-Chih Kuo could be the team's fifth starter when the season opens. Loaiza and Kuo also spent significant time on the disabled list last season.

Job seekers:

The addition of Andruw Jones gives the Dodgers four outfielders capable of playing every day, the others being Matt Kemp, Juan Pierre and Andre Ethier. With Jones set to start in center, Pierre will battle Ethier for playing time in left field. Ethier also will compete with Kemp in right. Third baseman Andy LaRoche could push incumbent Nomar Garciaparra. With 35 pitchers in camp, competition for the last couple of spots in the bullpen could be fierce. Of the 13 non-roster pitchers, 10 come to camp with major league experience.

Keep your eye on:

Jones and Hiroki Kuroda. The Dodgers put more than $70 million into their two prized off-season acquisitions. Jones won his 10th Gold Glove last year but struggled at the plate, batting a career-low .222 in his contract year. He hit 26 home runs, down from 51 in 2005 and 41 in 2006. Under contract for only two years, Jones faces the pressure of having to re-establish his value quickly. Kuroda has yet to throw a pitch in the big leagues. Like every pitcher coming to the majors from Japan, Kuroda will have to get used to a slicker ball, a rotation that includes one fewer pitcher and tougher lineups.

Reasons to be excited:

If Schmidt is healthy and Kuroda can adjust to pitching in the big leagues, the rotation could be outstanding. With closer Takashi Saito, Jonathan Broxton and Joe Beimel back, the core of the bullpen remains intact. Jones provides not only an upgrade on defense in center field but also the kind of pop in the middle of the lineup that the team lacked last season. Rafael Furcal, who was hindered last season by a sprained ankle, looked fully recovered at the Caribbean Series. The team's promising young players, including All-Star catcher Russell Martin and first baseman James Loney, received ample playing time last season and return a year older.

Reasons to be worried:

Third base. Garciaparra hit only seven home runs and appears to be in decline and LaRoche looked overwhelmed at the plate when called up in September. The potential for power exists but there are no assurances that it will actually be realized, as Jones is coming off a tough season, and Loney and Matt Kemp are still developing. Pitching depth could be a problem if Schmidt, Loaiza and Kuo don't bounce back from their injuries.

Projected club Lineup:

Rafael Furcal...SS
Juan Pierre...LF
Russell Martin...C
Andruw Jones...CF
Jeff Kent...2B
James Loney...1B
Matt Kemp...RF
Nomar Garciaparra...3B

Rotation

Brad Penny...RH
Derek Lowe...RH
Chad Billingsley...RH
Hiroki Kuroda... RH
Esteban Loaiza...RH

Bullpen

Takashi Saito...RH
Jonathan Broxton...RH
Joe Beimel...LH
Scott Proctor...RH
Rudy Seanez...RH
Yhency Brazoban...RH
Hong-Chih Kuo...LH

Bench

Andre Ethier...OF
Gary Bennett...C
Delwyn Young...OF
Tony Abreu...IF
Mark Sweeney...1B

http://www.latimes.com/sports/baseball/mlb/dodgers/la-sp-dodgers14feb14,1,782196,full.story?ctrack=4&cset=true
Post edited by Unknown User on
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Comments

  • Options
    JOEJOEJOEJOEJOEJOE Posts: 10,436
    Me?
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    normnorm I'm always home. I'm uncool. Posts: 31,147
    JOEJOEJOE wrote:
    Me?

    unless you have been the manager of the yankees the last 12 years it's probably not you...:p :D
  • Options
    JOEJOEJOEJOEJOEJOE Posts: 10,436
    cutback wrote:
    unless you have been the manager of the yankees the last 12 years it's probably not you...:p :D

    Phew!!!!....I have enough to worry about already...don't want to have a World Series on my back!
  • Options
    TrailerTrailer Posts: 1,431
    They're looking REAL good!! I love going to games the day after it rains.. smog's gone and the san gabriel mountains are clearly visible for a perfect backdrop to the game.

    edit: doesn't happen often though... more likely to get that effect after a windy day
    Whoa, chill bro... you know you can't raise your voice like that when the lion's here.
  • Options
    xavier mcdanielxavier mcdaniel Somewhere in NYC Posts: 9,078
    i'm not a dodger fan, but dodger stadium is awesome.
    Reading 2004
    Albany 2006 Camden 2006 E. Rutherford 2, 2006 Inglewood 2006,
    Chicago 2007
    Camden 2008 MSG 2008 MSG 2008 Hartford 2008.
    Seattle 2009 Seattle 2009 Philadelphia 2009,Philadelphia 2009 Philadelphia 2009
    Hartford 2010 MSG 2010 MSG 2010
    Toronto 2011,Toronto 2011
    Wrigley Field 2013 Brooklyn 2013 Brooklyn 2013 Philadelphia 2, 2013
    Philadelphia 1, 2016 Philadelphia 2 2016 New York 2016 New York 2016 Fenway 1, 2016
    Fenway 2, 2018
    MSG 2022
    St. Paul, 1, St. Paul 2 2023
    "I play good, hard-nosed basketball.
    Things happen in the game. Nothing you
    can do. I don't go and say,
    "I'm gonna beat this guy up."
  • Options
    LizardLizard So Cal Posts: 12,073
    [size=+20]
    !!!!!GO DODGERS!!!!!![/size]


    (not that I care or anything!!! :p)
    So I'll just lie down and wait for the dream
    Where I'm not ugly and you're lookin' at me
  • Options
    LONGRDLONGRD Posts: 6,036
    Is Milton Brady still on the team?
    PJ- 04/29/2003.06/24,25,27,28,30/2008.10/27,28,30,31/2009
    EV- 08/09,10/2008.06/08,09/2009
  • Options
    normnorm I'm always home. I'm uncool. Posts: 31,147
    LongRd. wrote:
    Is Milton Brady still on the team?

    padres
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    SchokiSchoki Posts: 5,072
    Wish they would go far this season but i doubt it! Go Dodgers!
  • Options
    Anyone but the Dodgers!!

    I was thinkin of gettin this license plate in CA but then I realized my vehicle would be badly vandalized.......DGR H8R
  • Options
    AstroFanAstroFan Posts: 193
    cutback wrote:
    ok joe now that you're here.....i expect to post here in october celebrating our first championship in 20 years :eek:

    I don't know about all that ;) but hey, atleast they'll be significantly better than the Giants. I actually just bought tickets to one of the Dodgers/Astros games this year, since the Dodgers are one of the only NL franchises I have yet to see in person.
  • Options
    smg9779smg9779 Posts: 235
    Lets Go Dodgers!
    Steve

    11/18/97 Oakland
    07/13/98 Los Angeles
    07/14/98 Los Angeles
    10/31/99 Bridge School
    10/28/00 San Bernardino
    10/31/00 Mountain View
    10/21/01 Bridge School
    06/01/03 Mountain View
    07/15/06 SF I
    07/16/06 SF II
    07/18/06 SF III
    10/21/06 Bridge School
    04/07/08 Berkeley
    04/08/08 Berkeley
  • Options
    brain of cbrain of c Posts: 5,213
    there's always next year.














    go padres.
  • Options
    LizardLizard So Cal Posts: 12,073
    GO DODGERS

    my seats usually end up looking like this!! :( :p
    So I'll just lie down and wait for the dream
    Where I'm not ugly and you're lookin' at me
  • Options
    normnorm I'm always home. I'm uncool. Posts: 31,147
    Lizard wrote:
    GO DODGERS

    my seats usually end up looking like this!! :( :p

    well at least you're got tix to the coliseum.....i can't believe that game sold out so quick....:(
  • Options
    LizardLizard So Cal Posts: 12,073
    cutback wrote:
    well at least you're got tix to the coliseum.....i can't believe that game sold out so quick....:(

    True dat! it's gonna be AWESOME!!! :D
    So I'll just lie down and wait for the dream
    Where I'm not ugly and you're lookin' at me
  • Options
    normnorm I'm always home. I'm uncool. Posts: 31,147
    Lizard wrote:
    True dat! it's gonna be AWESOME!!! :D

    grrrr...:p

    they are selling additional tix this saturday but they're sro at the peristyle....pass....:(
  • Options
    rriversrrivers Posts: 3,687
    cutback wrote:
    padres

    I think the Padres let him go after what happened at the end of last year. I can't remember where he is now.
    "We're fixed good, lamp-wise."
  • Options
    normnorm I'm always home. I'm uncool. Posts: 31,147
    Lizard wrote:
    True dat! it's gonna be AWESOME!!! :D


    well it's nice to know people who know people....my buddy just emailed me that he got tix.....2nd ROW IN FRONT OF FIRST BASE!!!!! :D:D:D
  • Options
    Anyone but the Dodgers!!

    I was thinkin of gettin this license plate in CA but then I realized my vehicle would be badly vandalized.......DGR H8R


    well I can guarantee that you would have Mexifornian urine all over your windshield.

    at the very least. ;)


    ahhhhh and the coliseum! yeah son!!!


    Ok so I am still not on board for Joe...but, eh...once he is wearing the uni I will have to love with my whole heart.

    but I kinda wish we could sort of graft Tommy's head onto Joe's neck...thus extending the life of the great PastaMan...sigh...oh uncle Tommy...how I love thee...
    IF YOU WANT A PLATE OF MY BEEF SWELLINGTON, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO PAY THE COVERCHARGE.
  • Options
    LizardLizard So Cal Posts: 12,073
    cutback wrote:
    well it's nice to know people who know people....my buddy just emailed me that he got tix.....2nd ROW IN FRONT OF FIRST BASE!!!!! :

    :D:D:D

    That's GREAT!!!!!

    Wave to me----I will be the little dot at the top in a pink Dodger shirt!!! :p
    So I'll just lie down and wait for the dream
    Where I'm not ugly and you're lookin' at me
  • Options
    normnorm I'm always home. I'm uncool. Posts: 31,147
    Lizard wrote:
    :D:D:D

    That's GREAT!!!!!

    Wave to me----I will be the little dot at the top in a pink Dodger shirt!!! :p


    i'll take a picture....:D
  • Options
    WobbieWobbie Posts: 29,480
    F*CK THE DODGERS!!!!!

    most hateable team in baseball!!!!
    If I had known then what I know now...

    Vegas 93, Vegas 98, Vegas 00 (10 year show), Vegas 03, Vegas 06
    VIC 07
    EV LA1 08
    Seattle1 09, Seattle2 09, Salt Lake 09, LA4 09
    Columbus 10
    EV LA 11
    Vancouver 11
    Missoula 12
    Portland 13, Spokane 13
    St. Paul 14, Denver 14
    Philly I & II, 16
    Denver 22
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    my ass has a bigger fanbase than the dodgers
    I will be what i could be
    Once I get out of this town


    9/29/04;6/27/08;6/30/08;8/23/09;08/24/09;5/17/10
  • Options
    WobbieWobbie Posts: 29,480
    my ass has a bigger fanbase than the dodgers

    and I'll bet your fanbase doesn't leave in the seventh to beat traffic!
    If I had known then what I know now...

    Vegas 93, Vegas 98, Vegas 00 (10 year show), Vegas 03, Vegas 06
    VIC 07
    EV LA1 08
    Seattle1 09, Seattle2 09, Salt Lake 09, LA4 09
    Columbus 10
    EV LA 11
    Vancouver 11
    Missoula 12
    Portland 13, Spokane 13
    St. Paul 14, Denver 14
    Philly I & II, 16
    Denver 22
  • Options
    my ass has a bigger fanbase than the dodgers

    "pahk the cah"
    "pahk the cah"
    "pahk the cah"

    "pahk the cah"
    "pahk the cah"
    "pahk the cah"


    "pahk the cah"
    "pahk the cah"
    "pahk the cah"



    Go Dodg-E R S !
  • Options
    imalive wrote:
    and I'll bet your fanbase doesn't leave in the seventh to beat traffic!

    Not anymore, not with 2 consecutive dominating closers......only half of us still do that.

    We still get in late thought after tailgating at the Ravine though. 12$ beers will make you do that...
  • Options
    "pahk the cah"
    "pahk the cah"
    "pahk the cah"

    "pahk the cah"
    "pahk the cah"
    "pahk the cah"


    "pahk the cah"
    "pahk the cah"
    "pahk the cah"



    Go Dodg-E R S !
    we arent embarrassed by our accent buddy.

    im dam proud!!!!
    I will be what i could be
    Once I get out of this town


    9/29/04;6/27/08;6/30/08;8/23/09;08/24/09;5/17/10
  • Options
    we arent embarrassed by our accent buddy.

    im dam proud!!!!

    "pahk the cah"
    "pahk the cah"
    "pahk the cah"
  • Options
    "pahk the cah"
    "pahk the cah"
    "pahk the cah"
    wtf are you doing?
    I will be what i could be
    Once I get out of this town


    9/29/04;6/27/08;6/30/08;8/23/09;08/24/09;5/17/10
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