July 25, 2006

If you were thinking you might find solace here, think again.

That said, let me confess. I attended Tuesday night’s game between your 2006 Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres of God knows who.

Forgive me, please. The only reason I showed up for what I knew would surely be loss number 12 out of 13, is that I had a buddy coming into town to visit “historic Dodger Stadium.” I swear, that’s the reason.

So yes, I did knowingly contribute to the club’s parking concession, and did thereby add to funds which I knew full well would, in the future, undoubtedly be spent unwisely or not spent at all. For that, I beg your forgiveness.

And so I played host, and was a damn good sport about it. Since I couldn’t promise quality baseball, an impressive pre-game beef dip was paramount. Philippe’s didn’t disappoint.

From there, I drove up Ord to Hill to Sunset to Elysian Park, with a pronunciation correction of “Elysian” for authenticity, and succeeded in explaining about how, while yes, it’s a longer walk to the turnstiles from parking lot 23, it’s a much easier exit after the game. I pointed to the spot where Sandy Koufax’s bronze statue will one day stand, should the club ever take me up on my plan to raise six figure dollars for charity, while at the same time building a long overdue monument to the greatest Los Angeles Dodger of all time.

Then the game started and it was all downhill from there. Russell Martin had the night off and Andre Ethier drew the collar, so I couldn’t show off the lone bright spots. Kenny Lofton didn’t misjudge the first fly ball hit his way, so that prediction went south in a hurry, and not a single Dodger was thrown out stealing third for no apparent reason.

If it wasn’t for Danys Baez putting the game out of reach in the ninth, and right on cue I might add, my entire account of the 2006 Los Angeles Dodgers would have been a total loss.

After the game, I called another pal of mine, an admitted Cubs fan, and asked him point blank: “How in the world do you take all the losing, year after year after year!!??”

Cubs Fan: (Laughing) “Oh, c’mon. It’s only been 18 years for you Dodger fans. I’ve got ties that old. I can do 18 years standing on my head? 18 years? You call that suffering? Please.”

Me: “You’re a big help.”

CF: “Look, you’ve got to develop a sense of humor about these things.”

Me: “Well, that’s out, clearly. What else you got?”

CF: “Silver lining?”

Me: “Never occurred to me. Is there one?”

CF: “Odalis Perez is outta here. Does that help?”

Me: “Not really.”

CF: “You’re tying my hands here. You asked for my assistance. You want it or not?”

Me: “Fine.”

CF: “You can't top this: J.D. Drew’s contract expires in three years. You’ve got that to look forward to.”

And with a rosy 2010 to contemplate, I surrendered to the more experienced loser, and called it a night…

Talkback: Your comments are always encouraged…

HR: There’s no truth to the rumor that ESPN fired Harold Reynolds for a variety of transgressions involving the opposite sex. None whatsoever. Reynolds was let go for picking the Dodgers to win the National League West as recently as July 22…

Players Get Labels: Ever notice how once a player is described a certain way in the media, the label follows him around, whether it’s a fitting one or not? Like for example, for decades, fair or unfair, Eddie Murray has been dubbed “sullen.” You never see Murray’s name without “sullen” next to it.

Milton Bradley, and before him Gary Sheffield, was constantly referred to as “mercurial” by the Los Angeles Times. Jamie Moyer, and pretty much every soft-tossing left-hander with the possible exception of Odalis Perez, is known as “crafty.”

And while I don’t quite see it, the verdict is in on one young Dodger. “Willie Aybar can flat-out hit.”

Player Names, Addendum: The Tampa Bay Devil Rays have a guy in their system named Evan Longoria. That’s Evan Longoria. He’s a third baseman from Long Beach State, currently playing short for the Visalia Oaks. Longoria is hitting a team-leading .365, with eight homers and 23 RBIs in 85 at bats. No word from the Devil Rays about whether he’s to be included in the next deal with trading of mush partners in crime, your 2006 Dodgers of Los Angeles…

Free Advertising for Nonprofits: We’re re-designing BaseballSavvy.com as we speak, and as part of our effort to promote the curtain-raising, we’re donating free banner advertising space to all nonprofit organizations who ask for it. Free ads are available on all the main pages of the site, and throughout the archives.

There are absolutely no strings attached. Just drop me a line for more information. baseballsavvy@aol.com. And look for the re-launch in about a week…

Way to Go, Ford!!! Ford Motor Company has caved!! The Taylor Hicks commercial is completely off Dodgers telecasts. Now, it’s Kelly Clarkson at the half inning break, 18 times per game.

Apparently, Ford figured that since baseball is watched primarily by men, and since we couldn’t stand that “American Idol” dweeb to begin with, that the show's first winner made a lot more sense. So, thank you Ford. You da men. Now, if we can just get those annoying Wilson brothers off television…

Statue for Sandy: The Koufax in bronze campaign continues. Please Vote “Yes on 32.” And tell a friend…

Remember, glove conquers all….