Ten thoughts recorded while watching the Giants and Dodgers game on ESPN2 last night -- roughly in order, so you can get a little flavor for the interior dialogue's narrative flow. Notes taken on the back (and a little on the front) of a grocery store reciept, because that was the first thing I found to write on:
1. "Brett Tomko?"
2. "Wait -- who's playing right field?" [for the Giants]
3. "They renovated Dodger Stadium. Big deal."
4. "Omar Vizquel. Hmmm."
5. "Ricky Ledee's still in the majors?"
6. "Who's actually buying 'Chaser Plus' ?"
7. "Hey, they filmed this [La Quinta] commercial in Austin!"
8. "Hee-Seop Choi?!?"
9. "He's right, Tomko doesn't trust his stuff. Throw a damn fastball!"
10. "Motherfucking Jeff Kent!"
Television turned off shortly thereafter. Yawned. Went to bed.
Update! Check it:
Kent is on fire. Kinda makes you wish the Stros had kept him, huh?
Posted by: tom | 04/14/2005 at 10:47
For one, if Kent were still an Astro, where would your beloved Craig Biggio play?
For two, I couldn't care less about Kent leaving the Astros. Good riddance to bad rubbish.
For three, I've tried, but I just can't be an Astros fan. I mean, I like 'em, but... I am a Giants fan. [email protected], as a matter of fact. Can't shake it. Don't want to.
Posted by: very metal | 04/14/2005 at 11:39
1. Dunno. Good question. More makes you wish that Kent could play 3B or SS.
2. If you don't like Kent, you should say why. I'd be interested in hearing it. Kent is a great hitter, and would be an offensive upgrade at 2B for almost every team in baseball, so I can guess the reason you call him "rubbish" isn't based on playing baseball.
3. I like the Giants too, and for the past several years I've been eagerly awaiting the Bay Bridge Series -- a World Series between SF and Oakland. I feel like the Giants may be in trouble this year, however, and that the West is the Dodgers' to lose.
Who do you have winning each division in baseball, along with the wildcards? Who do you pick for the World Series this year?
Posted by: tom | 04/14/2005 at 12:04
Two good reasons to hate Kent would be (1) his ridiculous "Goose / gay porn" moustache and (2) his tendency to injure himself in ways that resemble "What's the last thing a redneck says?" jokes.
More importantly, how bad is the Dodgers' farm system if Ledee is playing for them? Games in Vegas and Jacksonville must look like tee ball, with the outfielders sitting down, playing with bugs, waving to their parents, etc.
Posted by: The Tartan Horde | 04/14/2005 at 13:46
I still can't get over the fact that Ricky Ledee is still playing pro ball. Does he even have any baseball-related skills? What the fuck Moneyball simulator told DePodesta the Dodgers needed a 31 year-old career .240 hitter who plays left? Not center or right, mind you. Just left.
Posted by: The Tartan Horde | 04/14/2005 at 14:07
What the Horde said.
Posted by: very metal | 04/14/2005 at 14:16
I've married into a family that unconditionally accepts and embraces ballplayer moustaches, so your first comment is completely invalid. Your second point is good; Alou, Kent, Berkman immediately spring to mind for this sort of stupidity. But (I think) Kent avoided those sort of mishaps while with the Stros, so I can't hate him over that.
Meanwhile, the short Ledee experiment has been a fair success (.429/.429/.714 w/ no homers or walks) and while it definitely won't last, its hard to argue with the results so far. He has already equalled his hits total (and surpassed his doubles total) in 14 AB that he had in 53 last year with the Giants.
Ledee's career (.242/.328/.413)? Weak. But I doubt DePodesta's excel spreadsheets have missed that. He is a lefty (although last year he bat much better against LHP). He has some value. Especially with C4 Bradley and DL Drew sharing the outfield with him.
Posted by: tom | 04/14/2005 at 14:27
8. Yeah, doesn't it seem like all Korean relievers are set up to take a fall. Seems like every time one of them takes the mound, they give up a game-winning homerun. Or maybe I just can't get Byung-hyun Kim's blowing consecutive saves in the World Series for the Diamondbacks in 2001 out of my head.
Posted by: Ojo Rojo | 04/14/2005 at 14:28
NEXT TOPIC!
Posted by: billy bonka | 04/15/2005 at 00:44