Los Angeles Dodgers Blog Posts

Did you say you played for the Dodgers Or was it the Phillies

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 22:52:06 EDT

In the National League Championship Series, fans of both teams saw familiar faces wearing the opponent’s uniform. Dodgers Jim Thome, Vicente Padilla, and Randy Wolf used to play their home games in the City of Brotherly Love, while Phillies Jayson Werth, Pedro Martinez, Chan Ho Park, and Paul Bako once upon a time bled Dodger Blue.

Both the Philadelphia and Los Angeles coaching staffs have ties to their LCS rivals as well. Philly first base coach Davey Lopes played for the Dodgers for 10 years (1972-1981), while his counterpart, Dodgers first base coach Mariano Duncan, played for the Phillies from 1992 to 1995. Taking the cake is L.A. third base coach Larry Bowa, who played in Philadelphia from 1970 until 1981 and managed the Phils for four seasons (2001-2004) before being replaced by current Phillies manager Charlie Manuel, who had a brief stint with the Dodgers in 1974 and 1975.

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Manny Ramirez is not a Hall of Famer

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 19:12:11 EDT

Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Manny Ramirez was showering when Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins hit a double to win Game Four of the NLCS 5-4 Monday at Dodger Stadium.

“I was taking a shower,” said Ramirez, 37, a 12-time All-Star selection and nine-time Silver Slugger Award winner. “I came out and saw it on television. Then everybody started coming in and they turned the television off.”

Dodgers Manager Joe Torre decided to remove Ramirez from the outfield for defensive replacement Juan Pierre in the ninth inning.

Torre, who has inexplicably become friendly with his star hitter, admitted that Ramirez should not have deserted his teammates in such a crucial moment of the season.

“It probably doesn’t look good,” Torre said.

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9th Inning Heroics Highlight MLB Playoffs

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 23:15:26 EDT

After the Los Angeles Angel's escape act in Fenway Park the other night, didn't figure to see almost a replica of Philadelphia's big rally in the 9th with two outs versus Colorado. As Yogi said, "It ain't over till it's over." And, that is the truth. That is the magic of baseball. You can be one strike from going home, but manage to put a man on base, and another, then someone comes up with a big hit, like Ryan Howard of the Phillies did a few days ago. And Jason Werth drove him home with a neatly placed single to right field. That was some hitting. That rally silenced the white flag fans in chilly Denver. But the Rockies' ride is over and the Phils try for a repeat over the stubborn Los Angeles Dodgers, who refuse to lose.

The Angels - Yankee Series will be a test of wills. It will come down to a matter of execution. Who will drive in a run with two outs and a man on second? Who will make a heads up base-running play? What pitching staff will have good outings from their starters? Then there's always A-rod who is hot as the 4th of July. It is nice to see a player who is great, perform that way in the post-season. No matter what one thinks of A-rod, he is a supremely talented power hitter. It's him and then there's everyone else. Look for Yankees in 6 games.

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Barmes Unbelievable Catch - Was It Real

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 14:16:59 EDT

Of course we all know by now that Barmes' unbelievable catch was just that. More of an acting job than catching. To his credit, he did make an outstanding defensive play, getting two outs off the pop-up by Cardinals outfielder Ryan Ludwick, that would have otherwise tied the game. Seeing this catch brought back bad memories from two years ago, when the Rockies beat the Padres in a tie-breaker game for a play-off spot, because of a bad call at home plate. Did Holliday really touch home plate or not? I think not, after they showed the play over and over again. Those dang Rockies are always gettin' lucky. I'm real close to rooting for the Dodgers in this last series coming up between them and the Rockies. The bad call at home plate from two years ago just stings too much still. So what do you think? Should the MLB use instant-replay challenges like they do in the NFL? At least during post-season games? Hmmm.

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Giants Begin Final Home Stand of the Season

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 23:03:54 EDT

It's hard to believe only 10 games remain in the regular season for the Giants, trailing Colorado by four games in the N.L. Wild Card race. Although it's still mathematically possible, I just think these guys are collectively gassed (mentally and physically). Even if everything goes their way between now at the finish line, who wants to watch a three-game sweep at the hands of the Dodgers or Phillies. Is it still best-of-five in the first round? Hey, no one expected them to contend this late into the season - it's been an entertaining product despite a frustrating lack of offense. All I can say is just 10 more days of Randy Winn, Fred Lewis, and Dave Roberts' expiring contract -- good bye, and good luck to you all. The

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Giants Limp out of LA Dropping Two of Three Head to Arizona

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 20:17:32 EDT

As an optimistic Giants' fan, I must say I've enjoyed THIS season more than any in recent memory. The hopes of reaching the play-offs as a wild card still intrigue me; however, I know a lot of things would have to go our way in order to make that happen. First, the Rockies need to go on a nice, long losing streak, but that probably won't happen. We can only control our next series, and that lies in Arizona. Fortunately, Danny Haren pitched Sunday, so we won't have to deal with him. Doug Davis going up against Barry Zito tonight. But let's look at this rationally for a moment. Last year: 72 wins....This year: 80 wins with a couple of weeks still to go. Seven more wins possible? That would be 87 wins for the ye

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Brad Penny to the Rescue as Giants Avoid the Sweep

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 12:56:40 EDT

I went to Sunday's game, and enjoyed another strong outing from Brad Penny - this time against his former team the Dodgers in a 7-2 Giants' win. Penny is now 3-0 in the orange-and-black. After two disastrous games Friday and Saturday, the Giants finally got the offense going with seven runs on fifteen hits; knocking Chad Billingsley out of the game after just four-innings. Juan Uribe really set the tone with an early two-run home run that barely cleared the wall in left. Uribe and Travis Ishikawa each banged out three hits, while Sanchez, Sandoval, and Winn each contributed two hits. It was nice to see Sanchez come through with a clutch two-run single to cap off that four-run, sixth-inning rally. Billingsley hasn't been at his best over

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Digging Brad Penny in the Orange and Black

Thu, 03 Sep 2009 23:47:14 EDT

I don't think anyone expected that! How about 8 shutout innings in a small ball park against the defending World Series Champion Phillies! And it was the real line-up too: Rollins, Victorino, Utley, Howard, Werth, Ibanez. How many all-stars and/or MVP's are in that batting order? Penny looked comfortable, and was surprisingly NOT rusty at all, throwing an easy 94 MPH as late as the 8th-inning. His last start for Boston was August 21st when he allowed 8 earned runs to the Yankees in just four innings of work. Wednesday, it was some timely double plays, good defense, and plenty of composure from a 10-year vet. This was A BIT of an upgrade over Joe Martinez and Ryan Sadowski. (By the way, sorry to see the team designate the "Big Sadowski" for assignment - we barely knew you.

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Giants Have Reportedly Signed Brad Penny

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 17:31:15 EDT

The Giants desperately need a number five starter, and have apparently filled that void with today's waiver acquisition of former Dodger and Marlin Brad Penny. After a brief stint in Boston, Penny was released after 24 starts, and cleared waivers. The Giants were one of at least six teams interested in the one-time all-star; who won 16 games in back-to-back seasons with the Dodgers in '06 and '07.

Penny posted a 7-and-8 record and a 5.61 ERA (1.53 WHIP) with the Red Sox this season. Penny spent four-plus seasons in L.A. following a six-player trade in 2004, that sent him West from the Florida Marlins for Paul LoDuca and Guillermo Mota. Penny was once a part of the same rotation as Josh Beckett and A.J. Burnett in South Florida - what were the fish thinking in breaking up that trio?

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Playoffs are dlose

Sat, 29 Aug 2009 23:04:38 EDT

The Cardinals look to be in the drivers seat in the NL central. Iam starting to wonder who they will face in the first round. I am hoping to see the Dodgers. They have been scuffing a little and the Cardinals have had some trouble with Colorado this year. Philadelphia will be tough and I think the road to the world seris has to go through the City of Brotherly Love.

Whoever it turns out to be I have to think St. Louis is in good shape forthe NLDS. The one- two punch matches up great against anyone. Cardinals in four in NLDS.

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