Russ and Del: Then and Now

Here's a Then & Now insert via 2008 Topps Heritage High Numbers featuring one-time PTSiA collecting mainstay Russ Martin and Braves' backstop Del Crandall.

Dodger connection? Crandall backed up Joe Torre, who would later manage the Dodgers and run Russ into the ground by not resting him enough.

Russell Martin: A Short Retrospect on Canada's Newest Shortstop.

I came across a fantastic Russell Martin lot recently and considered whether or not to take it down for the better part of a week. Though Russ is now on his second post-Dodger stop (Yankees, Pirates), he's still one of my favorite players and one of my favorite Dodgers of all-time.

I eventually decided to take the plunge on the free shipping auction and nabbed the four cards you'll see today, with the first three being new Martin additions. The first is a Buyback Autograph from 2006 Bowman Originals. The card was originally released as part of 2005 Bowman Draft and is the gold, non-numbered parallel.

With its re-release in '06 the card was hand-numbered out of 33 (33/33 for my copy) and signed by the former Blue Crew backstop. My copy was sent by someone to Beckett and slabbed an 8.5 with a 10 John Hancock. The card's biggest flaw - well, some would say the grading is the primary flaw, though it doesn't bother me - is a quite dinged back left corner. I've always loved this card due to Martin's stoic pose, as well as the combination of his Dodgers' cap and Futures Game World jersey with a prominently featured Canadian flag patch.

Speaking of Canada and baseball, Martin will likely be playing shortstop in the upcoming World Baseball Classic for our neighbors to the north. Martin laced 'em up at third on occasion (14 games between '08-'09) under Joe Torre - another of his bright baseball ideas, and what a way to rest your overworked catcher - but last played a position other than catcher regularly way, way back in 2002.

That year Russ was in Rookie Ball and spent 40 games at third and one at short. By 2006 nobody would think of Martin as anything but the catcher depicted on the above SP Authentic "Rookie Authentic Signatures" RC, numbered 326/399.

I've never watched the WBC and while it's clearly important to each country and probably the non-U.S. countries more so, it has that exhibition-y feel to it. If it wasn't at all gimmicky, I'm sure Canada could find somebody who had played shortstop more recently. Not that Russ is incapable of it in theory, as he's a really good athlete even as he just passed his 30th birthday. It just begs the question: is Canada really devoid of middle infield options with any non-Russ possibility being nothing more than a Turkey?

Terrible transition/tie-in? I know. Cool card? Definitely. From 2007 Topps Turkey Red comes my first Silk period, and it's numbered 88/99. The red hue is fantastic and the card feels pretty neat. More importantly, Martin is one of those rare guys who never has a bad picture on cardboard.

I'm rooting for my guy to succeed both in the WBC (on an individual level, obviously....'MERICA! 'MERICA! 'MERICA!) as well as with Pittsburgh in 2013 and beyond. He's one of the most successful catchers in franchise history, and though he wasn't Campanella or Piazza, he was tremendously better than a lot of your average fans will likely remember him being.

From the young man in Blue above to the 5-6 WAR player, Russ was the complete catching package for a few years, and his play was a joy to experience. The entire four-card lot ran me exactly the price of a blaster. In retrospect, I'm glad I decided to take the plunge and pull the trigger.

This Is NOT Matt Kemp

Matt Kemp, my favorite Dodger, has taken a lot of heat this season: from Ned Colletti, from Joe Torre, from fans, and from members of the media.

Now, even Yahoo has jumped in on the dog pile with it's caption of this old photo of James Loney.

Yahoo, some advice: Matt Kemp is ten times the player James Loney could ever hope to be, so please, do a better job next time. I'm a big fan of yours Yahoo Sports, I know you can do better!

Who Will Manage The Dodgers In 2011?

I posted this over at Memories Of Kevin Malone, and decided to post it here as well. Chad's follow-up to my post can be found here.

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Jon Heyman of SI gives his list of potential managerial candidates for the Dodgers in 2011.

The original plan was to let Torre manage one more year, and then turn the job over to batting coach Don Mattingly. Torre was given a contractual offer in spring training, but he's been deciding ever since whether he wants to stay. Most believe he will not.

This is what we all assumed would happen, but with Mattingly's mistakes in games he's managed this year - one in Spring Training, the other the infamous "double mound visit" - perhaps his stock has fallen, or the Dodgers simply don't want to pick from the Torre family coaching tree.

Mattingly, while the heir apparent for the last few years, has learned directly under Torre, and looking at Torre's numerous bad decisions, his bullpen mismanagement, his poor lineup formations, his favoring of veterans over younger, better, more upside-laden players, it's a fair question to ask whether the apple has fallen far from the tree.

So who manages the Dodgers in the event they don't choose Mattingly, who hasn't exactly succeeded in his current role as Dodger hitting coach? While it's easy and somewhat true to say anyone would be better than Joe Torre, the decision should hinge on who gives the Dodgers the most sound-minded, level-headed man to lead this group. Heyman gives us two names to consider, one of whom many, including myself, have been pushing for all season long.

[Tim] Wallach may get the surprise call. He is well-respected as the Triple-A Albuquerque manager, and just as important for the cost-conscious Dodgers, presumably not too expensive, considering he's already in the organization and only got the Triple-A job a year ago.

Wallach was the Dodgers' hitting coach back in 2004 and 2005, and is very familiar with the organization, having played for it, coached in it, and with numerous sons having played in the minor league system at some point. He's cheaper than Mattingly and is the fast-rising candidate, gaining steam as Torre's decision and the end of the season draws nearer.

But then Heyman springs another name on us, one Dodgers' fans and doctors are all too familiar with.

There are unsubstantiated whispers that [Dusty] Baker, who has delayed taking a Reds extension after a big year, could wind up in L.A.. The ex-Dodger is a hot name right now and could take pressure off McCourt to sign big-name players at a time when he's spending so much on legal fees. Baker has said that he isn't interested in talking about the Dodgers job, but that only makes sense in that Torre's still there and Baker needs to be focused on the Reds' possible division title run. He hasn't rushed to re-sign with the Reds, though that doesn't necessarily mean anything.

The Reds are having a very good season, and many of Dusty's teams have had success, with the Giants reaching the World Series in 2002. I don't attribute much of this winning, both past and present, to Baker though, but that's a factor I'm sure Ned Colletti and Frank McCourt will find appealing, as they did with Torre. Dusty's long been criticized for ruining young arms by overworking them, and that should be enough reason to disqualify him from consideration for the Dodgers' opening after this season.

Let's quickly run down the reasons why Baker wouldn't be a fit with his former team:

1. Clayton Kershaw
2. Chad Billingsley
3. Chris Withrow
4. Zach Lee
5. Allen Webster
6. every other young pitcher in the organization

With the youth of the Dodgers' top two starters, and the dearth of reinforcements waiting in the system, there's no reason to bring in a man who has historically not handled pitchers of all ages well, especially young pitchers. The Dodgers have built their team around pitching for the longest time, and with tremendous talent currently on hand, Dusty Baker is the wrong man for the job.

When you factor in that Wallach would be cheaper, is already familiar with the players on the team, and was a good hitting coach during his tenure with the club, as the 2004 team sported five regulars with OBPs over .350 and three bench players with OBPs of at least .340, the choice is a clear and easy one.

Tim Wallach, the man Baseball America named the best managerial candidate in the PCL, should be the next manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

"Manage in the big leagues -- that is now a goal," he said. "I feel like I know what I want to do. I feel like I can. It was a great experience and you never know until you do it. You don't realize how quick things happen and you can get caught off guard. It's how prepared you are. I made mistakes early in the year and I learned from them. You have to be thinking ahead of the game. You can't be even with it."

Dodgers Notes From Monday's Game 6/28/2010

Dodgers 4, San Francisco 2


Box Score.

• Chad Billingsley, in his return from the DL and a strained groin, went 6 innings (2 ER, 5 Hits, 3 K, 2 BB, 98 pitches - 54 for strikes).
• Bullpen: 3 IP, 0 Runs, 4 Hits, 1 K, 1 BB.
• Casey Blake hit his 8th HR of the season.
• Rafael Furcal stole his 12th base of the season.
• Manny Ramirez (Double, 2 Singles, BB) reached base 4 times, Furcal (Double, Single, BB) reached base 3 times, while Blake (HR, Single) and A.J. Ellis (Single, BB) each reached base twice.
• The offense struck out 10 times, drew 3 walks, and had 3 extra-base hits.
• Jon Link continued his impression of Blake DeWitt circa 2009 as he was sent back to AAA to make room for Bills's return.
• The Dodgers signed aging lefty reliever Jack Taschner, assigning him to AAA (via Mike Scioscia's Tragic Illness).
• Joe Torre will decide his managerial future late in the season. Please, just be gone now.

"Just so I don't hamstring this organization," said Torre, who is coming to the end of the three-year, $13 million contract he signed when he left the Yankees after the 2007 season. "I'm going to wait [to decide] until later in the season. I have to. It's not fair to them if I don't do that."

I feel for the guys," Torre said. "At that point, my managing is over with. You bring your closer in and your managing is done. That makes it tougher for me because there's nothing you can do. You just hope the result is better."

Joe Torre Should Be Fired. Immediately.

Joe Torre must be fired now if we are serious about winning, because he clearly isn't.

Torre brought in Jonathan Broxton to close out Sunday's game against the Yankees. The Dodgers led by 4 runs, Ronald Belisario had just thrown a measly 12 pitches the previous inning, and most importantly, Broxton had pitched or warmed up the previous 4 days. That's right, Sunday made it 5 days in a row of taxing Broxton's arm.

That is simply unacceptable, and Torre's decision is inexcusable.

Torre clearly doesn't care about Broxton's health, and putting in a clearly tired pitched doesn't scream "I'm trying to win this game" either.

I've never been a big Torre fan; he misuses his bullpen, puts together often horrific lineups, and favors veterans over younger, better, and more upside-laden players. This horrific decision is the final straw for me, and should be for every fan of the Dodgers. Jonathan Broxton will shoulder much of the blame from the traditional media and most Dodgers fans in all likelihood, but he was put in a position to fail. A tired pitcher against one of the best offenses in all of baseball? That's a clear recipe for failure.

Managing your bullpen properly: so easy, Caveman Torre still can't do it.

Fire Joe Torre Now. Before it's too late.

[Image via nomass.org]

Dodgers Notes From Sunday's Game 6/27/2010

JOE TORRE SHOULD BE FIRED. IMMEDIATELY.

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New York Yankees 8, Dodgers 6

Box Score.

• Clayton Kershaw went 7 innings (2 ER, 4 Hits, 5 K, 0 BB, 1 HR Allowed, 1 Hit Batter, 101 pitches - 63 for strikes).
• Bullpen: 3 IP, 6 ER, 7 Hits, 1 K, 2 BB [1 IBB], 1 HR Allowed.
• Ronnie Belliard hit his 2nd HR of the season.
• Rafael Furcal reached base 4 times via a double, single, and 2 BB.
• The offense struck out 9 times, drew 5 walks, and had 4 extra-base hits.

Joe Torre has now used Jonathan Broxton on 5 consecutive days: 4 of them in an actual game, and the 5th warming up. That is unacceptable. Broxton should have never been in this game, and now we have to worry about an increased risk of injury. Damn I'm pissed off.

[Image via nomass.org]

Dodgers Notes From Wednesday's Game 6/16/2010

Dodgers 5, Cincinnati 1

Box Score.

• Clayton Kershaw went 7.1 fantastic innings (1 ER, 7 Hits, 7 K, 1 BB, 110 pitches - 79 for strikes).
• Bullpen: 1.2 IP, 1 ER, 1 Hit, 1 K, 1 BB, 1 HR Allowed.
• Andre Ethier hit his 12th HR of the season, while Manny Ramirez hit his 7th HR.
• Matt Kemp stole his 10th base of the season.
• Ethier (HR, 2 Singles) reached base 3 times, while Manny (HR, BB), Russell Martin (2 Singles), James Loney (Double, Single), and Blake DeWitt (2 BB [1 IBB]) each reached base twice.
• The offense struck out 6 times, drew 3 walks, and had 3 extra-base hits.
• Travis Schlichting was recalled to take the place of the injured and DL'd Chad Billingsley. In his only appearance of the season, Schlichting threw 4 scoreless innings of relief on June 2nd.
• Claudio Vargas is back with Dodgers and in AAA with Albuquerque.

Joe Torre's bullpen usage, and usage of the pitching staff in general, frustrates me beyond belief. This is how I picture Joe when he thinks about what to do concerning the staff:

[Image via nomaas.org]

A Retrospect: Ramon Ortiz and Nick Green No Longer Dodgers

The baseball gods surely healed the Dodgers of some of what ailed them:



This is how I felt when I heard the wonderful news they had been DFA'd.

A little late (a lot late), but eh, the vigor with which I post this is still the same as when I heard the oh so glorious news that these gentlemen had been DFA'd.

What took Joe Torre and Ned Colletti so long? Green is useless on this team (and any other), while Ortiz is a veteran, and was a San Francisco Giant. Those two traits all but guarantee you a job and a semi-long to long stint with the Dodgers nowadays.

For what it's worth, Justin Miller is likely to not be much better, if better at all. And hey, what do you know, he's a veteran AND a former Giant.

Set for life I tell ya, set for life.

Dodgers News Round-Up

Russell Martin sat for two consecutive games earlier this week, finally getting the rest a catcher should be getting on the regular, as A.J. Ellis actually got a somewhat extended amount of playing time. He only received rest, however, because he's a bit banged up, to be expected for a catcher, but especially one that plays as much as Russell does. Joe Torre is a habitual over-user of certain players and positions (see: Ramon Troncoso's corpsy arm), so any rest for Russ is good rest in my book.

"Just getting another day and getting fully rested," Martin said. "It's just something that maybe one day can make me feel a lot better. I don't want to tell you what it is."

"Just watching him, his swing was getting bigger, longer," manager Joe Torre said. "You'd have to be in the dugout to experience the frustration sometimes when he comes in. It was just time I think to take a step back."

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Charlie Haeger was sent back to the DL, this time around with a sprained toe. Jon Link was recalled for the third time this season.

"I just don't think that I'm healthy yet," Haeger said. "I don't want to use it as an excuse."

"We'll just see if we can get this better," manager Joe Torre said.

Link was then sent right back to make room for the re-activated and still-goateed George Sherrill.

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Carlos Monasterios starts on Sunday.

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Kyle Russell has finally been promoted to AA. It's about time. Though of course this means I won't get to see him Sunday when I head to another Inland Empire 66ers game. And he's the guy I really was hoping to meet this weekend. Oh well.

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LSU head football coach Les Miles doesn't believe Dodgers first-round pick Zachary Lee will sign. I agree with Miles.

Dodgers Notes From Sunday's Game 6/6/2010

Dodgers 5, Atlanta 4

Had free tickets for the game that I got at the Ely signing yesterday, but work and generally being tired as all hell got in the way. I hate not going to a game when I have the chance. Oh well. Damn real non-baseball life. Always trying to ruin a good time.

Box Score.

• John Ely went 5 innings (4 ER, 9 Hits, 2 K, 2 BB, 2 HR Allowed, 93 pitches - 55 for strikes)

Ely's going to have starts like this, I hope no one honestly thought he was going to be dynamite all year, or that he was the best pitcher on the staff, or that he was the reason other guys were pitching well. Let's hope for the continued success of Ely, realizing he's no more than a Number 3, and regression is much more likely than progression. What we've seen is most likely the best Ely can be, and I'll happily take that 15-22 times a season, knowing there will be a decent number of mediocre to poor starts along the way.

• Bullpen: 6 IP, 0 Runs, 3 Hits, 5 K, 2 BB, 1 WP. 5 Relievers.
• Rafael Furcal hit his 1st HR of the season.
• James Loney stole his 8th base of the season, getting a huge jump on Tim Hudson.
• Blake DeWitt (2 Singles, BB) reached base 3 times, while Matt Kemp (2 Singles), Furcal (HR, BB) and Loney (2 Singles) each reached base twice.
• The offense struck out 5 times, walked 3 times, and had 2 extra-base hits.
• A.J. Ellis joined the walk-off party, though I would not have bunted with DeWitt.
  
• Joe Torre apparently has no qualms over completely putting an end to the usefulness of Troncoso and his right arm. We almost had to endure Ramon Troncoso's corpsy arm again, oh how surprising that would have been.

Dodgers Notes From Friday's Game 5/28/2010

Dodgers 5, Colorado 4

Box Score.

• Carols Carlos (someone wasn't paying attention, eh?) Monasterios, the temporary 5th starter, went 5 solid innings (4 Runs [2 ER], 5 Hits, 1 K, 1 BB, 1 HR Allowed, 1 Hit Batter, 1 WP, 68 pitches - 42 for strikes).
• Bullpen: 4 IP, 0 Runs, 1 Hit, 8 K, 2 BB [1 IBB], 1 Hit Batter.
• Matt Kemp hit his 10th HR, a bomb to just right of dead center, and Manny Ramirez added his 3rd HR.
• Reed Johnson was the only Dodger to reach base more than once, with a single and HBP.
• Rafael Furcal, aside from Monasterios, was the only starter to not reach base safely.
  
• The offense, with no extra-base hits in 3 of its last 4 games, had 4 extra-base hits tonight. The offense struck out just 3 times while drawing just 2 walks.
• Scott Elbert was recalled from AAA. Nick Green was designated for assignment. The useless veterans are falling quickly now. I'm sure it pains Torre and Colletti to their very cores. But for the rest of us: HOOOOOOORAYYYYYYY!!! Better watch out Garret Anderson: you should be next.
  

Dodgers Notes From Thursday's Game 5/27/2010

Chicago 1, Dodgers 0

Box Score.

• John Ely went 7.1 really good innings (1 ER, 4 Hits, 4 K, 2 BB, 98 pitches - 65 for strikes).
• Bullpen: 0.2 IP, 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 1 K, 0 BB.
• Russell Martin (Single, IBB), Casey Blake (2 Singles), and Reed Johnson (Single, BB) each reached base twice.
• Blake DeWitt struck out in 3 of his 4 plate appearances.
• The offense went down swinging 9 times, drew 4 walks, and had 0 extra-base hits for the third time in the last 4 games.
• Ramon Ortiz was designated for assignment, and Justin Miller was recalled from AAA.

"He [Justin Miller] can pitch every day. I saw him do that with the Giants last year," said Torre. "In Spring Training, we knew we couldn't take him, even though you want on your staff someone with durability."

So basically what Joe Torre is saying is that because Justin Miller wasn't on the team, he was obligated to burn through Ramon Troncoso. Lovely.

Blake DeWitt Could Be Heading To The Minors

When Rafael Furcal returns, we could very well see Blake DeWitt sent down to AAA, instead of the obvious choice of Nick Green. Don't believe me? Here are Joe Torre's words, which obviously carry a lot of weight:

"Got Green, who came up, or DeWitt, who has an option," Torre said. "DeWitt's done ... well, no question, just a matter of what road do you want to take in the immediate future? ... Please don't take the ball and run with this on this one."

Well Joe, if you don't want people taking the ball and running with it, don't float an entirely idiotic, ridiculously stupid idea out into the media firestorm that would obviously follow. Who cares if we lose Nick Green? I mean really, Nick Green? The same Nick Green who is 31 years old; has no upside; no room for growth; is a horrid offensive player; nothing special defensively at second base, where he would almost certainly see most of his playing time with Furcal back and DeWitt sent down (career UZR/150 of 0.9 at 2B); and has .307 career OBP? This Nick Green is worth keeping? Color me dumbfounded and utterly shocked.

Shocked that Nick Green is considered valuable, not shocked that it's the Dodgers that see value in keeping Nick Green, in keeping this type of over-the-hill, never good to begin with player, over a younger player with significantly more upside, who also happens to be playing significantly better now to begin with.

Blake DeWitt is young, can play 2 positions (third base especially well), and has potential, upside, and room to grow. Entering Saturday's game (in which he had a 2-run triple), he had a .359 OBP, and hasn't even been hitting the ball as well as we know he's capable of.

Nick Green is horrible, plain and simple. This isn't even a decision. Green's demotion, which could result in him returning to AAA if he clears waivers, or his loss if another team claims him, should be a matter of when, not if. It should be an unquestioned inevitability.

I'm going to give the Dodgers the benefit of the doubt and say that when Furcal returns, Green will be DFA'd and DeWitt will stay. But if Green is kept over DeWitt, the pattern of awful decisions by the Dodgers will have continued, in perhaps previously unseen idiocy.

Andre Ethier Injury Fallout

With the news that Andre Ethier fractured his pinkie, the likely, and smart outcome, is a DL stint. There's no reason to send Ethier out with an injured finger, which Dre himself has said would be affected when holding the bat (via True Blue L.A.):

"It's a flexion thing,'' he said. "I kind of position that pinky right above the knob, and it's a leverage point in my swing.''

The next question is who replaces Andre in the line-up. Garret Anderson, Reed Johnson, and Xavier Paul are the options. Though Paul has spent most of the year in AAA, this is an extremely easy decision.

Anderson's OBP .161, Johnson checks in at .233, and Paul sports the high-water mark at .323. Paul is also the best defender, has an absolute cannon for an arm, can play all three outfield positions well, and has upside, even though his best chance to start would be as a one-year gap filler until other prospects are ready to advance.

Johnson is a decent 4th OF, and Anderson is, of course, awful. He's a bad defender, can't hit, doesn't get on-base, has never walked, and is a walking corpse of a man.

Do the right thing Joe, and start Xavier Paul, assuming his injury suffered the same day as Ethier's wasn't serious. And if by chance it was bad enough to prevent him from coming up and playing, start Johnson.

Ned Colletti Trusts Garret Anderson

And this is a prime example of why I don't trust or believe in Ned Colletti.

"I see a player struggling to adjust to a new role," general manager Ned Colletti said. "One at-bat five times a week, it's very tough."

 Joe Torre decided to chime in as well:

"We're trying to get him as many at-bats to make it easier on him. I see a timing thing. Is he the same player he was at one time? No. But he comes out of the dugout with a couple men on base and he'll scare the heck out of me. That's a big part of having him as a weapon."

Joe, you're the only one scared of him. You should be scared of playing him and wasting plate appearances on him.

I can guarantee you of one thing: no one, and I mean no one, is remotely scared of Garret Anderson doing anything of value while at the dish. His OBP this year, coming into Tuesday, was a truly frightening (and fright-inducing, for Dodgers fans) .154, and his career OBP is .325, hardly warrior-like or productive.

He's barely been an average player for his career, and now, he's DONE. Finished, over, out of the game.

Put him out to pasture already.

Dodgers Notes From Sunday's Game 5/9/2010

Dodgers 2, Colorado 0

Box Score.

• Clayton Kershaw, coming off of an awful start, went 7 fantastic innings (0 Runs, 2 Hits, 9 K, 3 BB, 103 pitches - 65 for strikes). A lot of pitches in the first inning for Clayton, but he got out of the jam. He was also squeezed on at least half a dozen pitches, so all in all a fantastic outing for the young southpaw.

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I wrote the above after the 7th, hoping Clayton wouldn't be brought out for the 8th due to his pitch count. 100 pitches is enough for me when it comes to a 22-year-old, but Joe Torre loves to send Clayton out after reaching the 100-pitch plateau, then pull him after 1 batter. I would not have sent him out for the 8th, even as well as he was pitching, with 4 trustworthy relievers available in the pen. Clayton was up to the challenge and his final line ended up as: 8 IP, 2 Hits, 9 K, 3 BB, 117 pitches - 73 for strikes. He had a fantastic Game Score of 84.

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• Bullpen: 1 IP, 0 Runs, 2 Hits, 1 K, 0 BB.
• Russell Martin hit his 3rd HR of the season.
• Matt Kemp had a stolen base taken away by a bad call from the 2nd base umpire, the second time this season a 2nd base umpire has made a bad call and cost Matty a stolen base. 
• Manny Ramirez (BB, HBP) and Casey Blake (2 BB) each reached base twice.
• Manny was hit on the hand, and hopefully the results are not as bad as they were when he was hit on the hand last summer.
• The offense struck out 7 times, drew 4 walks, and had 2 extra-base hits.

Was Garret Anderson A Cast Member On Fresh Prince Of Bel Air?

In the comments section of my post on Garret Anderson somehow, most likely through dark sorcery and blackmail (dirty pictures or stories of Joe Torre?), keeping his job, commenter Dusto_Magnifico opined that Garret Anderson, in the below baseball card from some time in the 1990s, looks strikingly similar to Carlton Banks, the iconic character from the Fresh Prince Of Bel Air.

 I have to agree.

And right when I saw his comment, I knew what I had to find and post:

I do love me some Tom Jones. Almost saw him in concert once. One day, I hope. One day.

Joe Torre Rumor

The NSFW kind of rumor, courtesy of the always entertaining Deadspin.

I'd explain the rumor, but I really just want to forget I ever read the story. True or not, that's an image I don't need.

Ever.

Rafael Furcal, Dodger Rotation Updates

John Ely gets himself another start, this one coming this Thursday.

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Rafael Furcal will apparently hit the DL after all, and unfortunately, it's looking more and more likely it won't be Chin-lung Hu, excellent defender, taking his spot. Instead, Nick Green, awful defender, will get the call. Neither can hit a lick, but Green is a veteran! Oooh, veterans, so sexy and productive.

That last line is a direct quote from Joe Torre and Ned Colletti. At least I imagine that's what they would say.