Showing posts with label Phillies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Phillies. Show all posts
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Cubs Fan Gives All Fans A Bad Name
By now, you've probably seen the video of that stupid Cubs fan who doused Shane Victorino with a beer while the Phillies outfielder was catching a fly ball. There are so many adjectives one could use to describe this dumb, dangerous, cowardly act, and all of them may fall short of accurately describing this moron.
It is acts such as these that eventually give all fans a bad name. You wonder why athletes ignore your shouts of their name or seem standoffish when you approach them in public? It could be because they have experienced boorish behavior firsthand. Wouldn't that give you pause the next time you encounter an overzealous fan?
The thing that really irks me about this particular incident is that security got the wrong guy. Check out the video below. Pause it at the :20 mark and notice the fan in the hat and white t-shirt with sunglasses hanging from his collar. That's the actual guy who threw the beer, not the fan about three seats down who security eventually escorted out of the stadium.
This scene reminds me of what happened at the Palace of Auburn Hills when Ron Artest got plunked with that empty beer cup. The guy Artest went after was not the actual guy who threw the cup.
Say what you will about retaliation through violence, but I dare you to find anyone who wouldn't want to pummel some cat who threw beer on them. I'm not advocating violence against these type of jerks, but as Chris Rock once said, I understand!
Monday, April 13, 2009
Broadcast Legend Harry Kalas Passes Away
We often use the term "legend" a bit too loosely in sports, but that word may actually fall short of describing the longtime voice of Philadelphia sports, Harry Kalas.
While there may be no perfect way to die, how fitting is it that Kalas spent his last moments in a broadcast booth?
Here's the Associated Press story on his passing.
WASHINGTON (AP) - Longtime Philadelphia Phillies broadcaster Harry Kalas has died at age 73.
Team president David Montgomery announced the death Monday a short time after Kalas passed out in the broadcast booth before a game in Washington against the Nationals.
Montgomery's voice was cracking as he said that "we have lost our voice."
Kalas had been with the Phillies since 1971 and was known for his distinctive "Outta here!" home run call.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Dodgers Daily Notes And Lineups--NLCS Game 5
DO-OR-DIE TIME – The NL West Division Champion Dodgers will take on the NL East Division Champion Phillies in Game 5 of the NLCS at Dodger Stadium, with Philadelphia leading, 3-1. First pitch is scheduled for 5:22 p.m. PT.
WHAT HAS TO BE DONE – The Dodgers will have to win three consecutive games to advance to the World Series. During the 2008 regular season, Los Angeles won three straight games on 10 occasions then repeated the feat in the NLDS.
► The Dodgers will also need to win consecutive road games, something that they accomplished 17 times during the regular season and again in the NLDS.
THEY’VE BEEN THERE AND DONE THAT – Since the LCS became a seven-game series in 1985, 26 teams have taken a 3-1 advantage and six times, the team that trailed has come back to win – the 1996 Braves (with Greg Maddux), the 2003 Marlins (with Juan Pierre), the 1986, 2004, and 2007 Red Sox (with the latter two teams featuring Derek Lowe in ’04 and Manny Ramirez in both series), and the 1985 Royals.
► Five teams have overcome a 3-1 deficit in the postseason after losing Game 4 at home – the 1958 Yankees, the 1968 Tigers, and the 1979 Pirates all did it in the World Series, while the 1985 Royals and 2003 Marlins did it in the League Championship Series.
Source: retrosheet.org
IF AT FIRST – The Dodgers have scored in the first inning in four of their seven postseason games in 2008. In fact, the Dodgers are batting .330 in the first six innings of the LCS and just .111 from the seventh inning on. Source: STATS, LLC
HEADING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION – From 1995-2006, the Dodgers posted a 1-12 record over four postseason appearances. So far this year, Los Angeles is 4-3.
BUCKING THE TREND - The Dodgers and Phillies have played 12 times this season and Monday night marked the first game that was not won by the home team, with Philadelphia taking seven of the 12 games overall.
SEÑOR OCTUBRE – Manny Ramirez drove in a run in Game 4 for an eighth consecutive LCS game, extending his Major League record. He now has nine RBI during the 2008 postseason and 73 in his career, which ranks second all-time behind Bernie Williams (80). Ramirez has hit safely in 42 of his last 47 postseason games, with a .360 (63-for-175) average during that span. His teams are 59-43 overall in the postseason.
► Ramirez is batting .500 (6-for-12) during this series. The Dodgers’ NLCS record for batting average (minimum 10 at-bats) is Dusty Baker, who hit .467 (7-for-15) during the 1978 NLCS vs. Philadelphia.
► Ramirez’s six RBI this series is two shy of the Dodger series record held by Baker in the 1977 series, also against Philadelphia.
IN A YEAR THAT HAS BEEN SO IMPROBABLE… – On this date in 1988, an injured Kirk Gibson hit a two-run homer with two out in the bottom of the ninth inning at Dodger Stadium to give Los Angeles a 4-3 victory in Game 1 of the World Series over Oakland. The homer was later voted the Top Moment in Los Angeles Sports History.
LONE-STAR – James Loney is batting .308 (8-for-26) during the postseason with eight RBI, the second-highest total on the team behind Manny Ramirez (9). Loney has at least one hit in all seven of his career postseason starts.
AN ELECTION YEAR – Tonight marks the final presidential debate between Senators Barack Obama and John McCain prior to the November election. Los Angeles has reached the postseason in four of the last six election years (1988, 1996, 2004, and 2008), including their last World Championship just 19 days before George H.W. Bush won the 1988 general election. The Dodgers have also appeared in the World Series in the election years of 1956, 1952, 1920, and 1916.
BILLS BACK ON THE BUMP – Chad Billingsley takes the mound tonight at Dodger Stadium, where he has not lost since July 8. Since then, the right-hander is 6-0 with a 1.60 ERA in seven starts at home.
WHEN IT COUNTS – During the 2008 postseason, the Dodgers are batting .286 (20-for-70) with runners in scoring position, .342 (13-for-38) with RISP and two outs and .455 (5-for-11) with the bases loaded.
TOUCHING HOME – Rafael Furcal has scored five runs so far during the NLCS, two shy of the club record for a League Championship Series held by Steve Sax, who scored seven times against the Mets during the 1988 NLCS.
THE FIRST PITCH – Tonight’s ceremonial first pitch will be thrown out by Hall of Fame Manager and Special Advisor to the Chairman Tommy Lasorda. Lasorda guided Los Angeles to four National League pennants, eight division titles and two World Championships during an extraordinary 20-year career as skipper.
WHAT HAS TO BE DONE – The Dodgers will have to win three consecutive games to advance to the World Series. During the 2008 regular season, Los Angeles won three straight games on 10 occasions then repeated the feat in the NLDS.
► The Dodgers will also need to win consecutive road games, something that they accomplished 17 times during the regular season and again in the NLDS.
THEY’VE BEEN THERE AND DONE THAT – Since the LCS became a seven-game series in 1985, 26 teams have taken a 3-1 advantage and six times, the team that trailed has come back to win – the 1996 Braves (with Greg Maddux), the 2003 Marlins (with Juan Pierre), the 1986, 2004, and 2007 Red Sox (with the latter two teams featuring Derek Lowe in ’04 and Manny Ramirez in both series), and the 1985 Royals.
► Five teams have overcome a 3-1 deficit in the postseason after losing Game 4 at home – the 1958 Yankees, the 1968 Tigers, and the 1979 Pirates all did it in the World Series, while the 1985 Royals and 2003 Marlins did it in the League Championship Series.
Source: retrosheet.org
IF AT FIRST – The Dodgers have scored in the first inning in four of their seven postseason games in 2008. In fact, the Dodgers are batting .330 in the first six innings of the LCS and just .111 from the seventh inning on. Source: STATS, LLC
HEADING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION – From 1995-2006, the Dodgers posted a 1-12 record over four postseason appearances. So far this year, Los Angeles is 4-3.
BUCKING THE TREND - The Dodgers and Phillies have played 12 times this season and Monday night marked the first game that was not won by the home team, with Philadelphia taking seven of the 12 games overall.
SEÑOR OCTUBRE – Manny Ramirez drove in a run in Game 4 for an eighth consecutive LCS game, extending his Major League record. He now has nine RBI during the 2008 postseason and 73 in his career, which ranks second all-time behind Bernie Williams (80). Ramirez has hit safely in 42 of his last 47 postseason games, with a .360 (63-for-175) average during that span. His teams are 59-43 overall in the postseason.
► Ramirez is batting .500 (6-for-12) during this series. The Dodgers’ NLCS record for batting average (minimum 10 at-bats) is Dusty Baker, who hit .467 (7-for-15) during the 1978 NLCS vs. Philadelphia.
► Ramirez’s six RBI this series is two shy of the Dodger series record held by Baker in the 1977 series, also against Philadelphia.
IN A YEAR THAT HAS BEEN SO IMPROBABLE… – On this date in 1988, an injured Kirk Gibson hit a two-run homer with two out in the bottom of the ninth inning at Dodger Stadium to give Los Angeles a 4-3 victory in Game 1 of the World Series over Oakland. The homer was later voted the Top Moment in Los Angeles Sports History.
LONE-STAR – James Loney is batting .308 (8-for-26) during the postseason with eight RBI, the second-highest total on the team behind Manny Ramirez (9). Loney has at least one hit in all seven of his career postseason starts.
AN ELECTION YEAR – Tonight marks the final presidential debate between Senators Barack Obama and John McCain prior to the November election. Los Angeles has reached the postseason in four of the last six election years (1988, 1996, 2004, and 2008), including their last World Championship just 19 days before George H.W. Bush won the 1988 general election. The Dodgers have also appeared in the World Series in the election years of 1956, 1952, 1920, and 1916.
BILLS BACK ON THE BUMP – Chad Billingsley takes the mound tonight at Dodger Stadium, where he has not lost since July 8. Since then, the right-hander is 6-0 with a 1.60 ERA in seven starts at home.
WHEN IT COUNTS – During the 2008 postseason, the Dodgers are batting .286 (20-for-70) with runners in scoring position, .342 (13-for-38) with RISP and two outs and .455 (5-for-11) with the bases loaded.
TOUCHING HOME – Rafael Furcal has scored five runs so far during the NLCS, two shy of the club record for a League Championship Series held by Steve Sax, who scored seven times against the Mets during the 1988 NLCS.
THE FIRST PITCH – Tonight’s ceremonial first pitch will be thrown out by Hall of Fame Manager and Special Advisor to the Chairman Tommy Lasorda. Lasorda guided Los Angeles to four National League pennants, eight division titles and two World Championships during an extraordinary 20-year career as skipper.
LINEUPS:
Phillies:
Rollins. SS
Werth. RF
Utley. 2B
Howard. 1B
Burrell. LF
Victorino. CF
Feliz. 3B
Ruiz. C
Hamels. LHP
Dodgers:
Furcal. SS
Ethier. RF
Ramirez. LF
Martin. C
Loney. 1B
Blake. 3B
Kemp. CF
DeWitt. 2B
Billingsley. RHP
Rollins. SS
Werth. RF
Utley. 2B
Howard. 1B
Burrell. LF
Victorino. CF
Feliz. 3B
Ruiz. C
Hamels. LHP
Dodgers:
Furcal. SS
Ethier. RF
Ramirez. LF
Martin. C
Loney. 1B
Blake. 3B
Kemp. CF
DeWitt. 2B
Billingsley. RHP
Monday, October 13, 2008
NLCS Game 4 Lineups
The Dodger Daily Notes are basically the same as yesterday, but the big news today is that Juan Pierre is starting in centerfield in place of Matt Kemp. Pierre will bat 8th in the lineup. Here's a look at both lineups for Game 4.
Phillies:
Rollins. SS
Werth. RF
Utley. 2B
Howard. 1B
Burrell. LF
Victorino. CF
Dobbs. 3B
Ruiz. C
Blanton. RHP
Dodgers:
Furcal. SS
Ethier. RF
Ramirez. LF
Martin. C
Loney. 1B
DeWitt. 2B
Blake. 3B
Pierre. CF
Lowe. RHP
Phillies:
Rollins. SS
Werth. RF
Utley. 2B
Howard. 1B
Burrell. LF
Victorino. CF
Dobbs. 3B
Ruiz. C
Blanton. RHP
Dodgers:
Furcal. SS
Ethier. RF
Ramirez. LF
Martin. C
Loney. 1B
DeWitt. 2B
Blake. 3B
Pierre. CF
Lowe. RHP
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Dodgers Daily Notes and Lineups--NLCS Game 3
MAKING A RUN FOR THE PENNANT – The NL West Division Champion Dodgers will take on the NL East Division Champion Phillies in Game 3 of the NLCS at Dodger Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 5:22 p.m. PT.
► Tonight’s game is the first NLCS game at Dodger Stadium in exactly 20 years. Game 7 of the 1988 NLCS vs. New York was on Oct. 12, 1988. Orel Hershiser, who is broadcasting tonight’s game for ESPN Radio, shut out the New York Mets, 6-0 to capture the National League pennant for the Dodgers.
THE NATIONAL LEAGUE’S HOTTEST TEAMS – Since Aug. 30 when the Dodgers started an eight-game winning streak, the team has posted a 22-10 (.688) record, including their three victories in the NLDS. That is the second-best winning percentage in the National League during that period, behind only the Phillies (24-9, .727).
► The Dodgers and Phillies have played 10 games this season and each has been won by the home team, with Philadelphia taking six of the 10.
NO NEED TO PANIC – Prior to this season, the Dodgers had appeared in the National League Championship Series seven times and have never dropped the first two games. However, of the franchise’s 18 World Series appearances, the team has lost the first two games of a Fall Classic seven times. On three occasions have they lost the first two games and come back to win a seven-game series – during the 1955, 1965, and 1981 World Series.
► In all three of those series, the first two games were on the road and the Dodgers rebounded to win three straight at home.
HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS – The Dodgers were 23-9 (.719) at Dodger Stadium after the All-Star break for the best home record in the Majors in that span. The .719 winning percentage at home in the second half was the club’s second-best since coming to Los Angeles behind only the 1991 squad that went 29-11 (.725) at home after the break.
RECORD-SETTING INFIELD – Tonight’s ceremonial first pitches will be thrown out by Steve Garvey, Davey Lopes, Bill Russell, and Ron Cey, who played together with the Dodgers for a Major League-record 8 ½ seasons. The quartet appeared in four World Series, including the World Championship team of 1981. Lopes currently serves as the first base coach for the Phillies, Garvey and Cey work in the Dodgers’ front office, and Russell works for Major League Baseball’s umpiring division.
BATTLED TESTED – Nomar Garciaparra has appeared in the LCS twice with Boston in 1999 and 2003. The Whittier native batted .400 (8-for-20) with two homers and five RBI in 1999. In 29 career postseason games, Garciaparra is batting .318 (34-for-107) with a .380 on-base percentage, .598 slugging percentage, seven homers, and 23 RBI. He ranks seventh among active players with a .314 career batting average.
THIS DATE IN DODGER HISTORY – On this date in 1985, the Dodgers notched five doubles in Game 3 at St. Louis to tie the club NLCS record set on Oct. 7, 1977.
GETTING ON – Andre Ethier is batting just .222 (4-for-18) in five postseason games this year, but he has reached base at a .391 clip during the playoffs, as he’s drawn five walks. Since August 5, Ethier is hitting .354 with a .439 on-base percentage and .615 slugging percentage.
WHAT A RELIEF – A quintet of Dodger relievers threw 5.2 scoreless innings in Game 2. In five postseason games, the Dodger bullpen has posted a 1.65 ERA (3 ER/16.1 IP). During the regular season, the Dodgers’ relief corps ranked second in the NL with a 3.33 ERA behind only the Phillies (3.19).
BIG GAME JAMES – James Loney went 2-for-4 in Game 2 and has at least one hit in all six of his career postseason games, batting .360 (9-for-25).
SEÑOR OCTUBRE – Manny Ramirez drove in three runs in Game 2 to give him seven during the playoffs and 71 in his postseason career, which ranks second all-time behind Bernie Williams (80). Ramirez has hit safely in 40 of his last 45 postseason games, with a .351 (60-for-171) average during that span. His teams are 58-42 overall in the postseason.
► Ramirez has three homers in his first five playoff games this year. The only other Los Angeles Dodgers to accomplish that feat are Steve Garvey and Ron Cey, who homered three times in the first five games of the 1978 NLCS.
MEDIA MADHOUSE – More than 800 credentials have been issued for the 2008 NLCS at Dodger Stadium. That includes more than 30 daily newspapers from around the country, several wire services and major sports websites, and media outlets from at least eight different countries – the United States, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Canada, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and Ecuador.
CATCHING SOME HITS – Russell Martin has a hit in all five postseason games this season and seven of the eight playoff games he’s played in during his career. He has a .313 career postseason average (10-for-32) with five RBI and six runs scored.
► Tonight’s game is the first NLCS game at Dodger Stadium in exactly 20 years. Game 7 of the 1988 NLCS vs. New York was on Oct. 12, 1988. Orel Hershiser, who is broadcasting tonight’s game for ESPN Radio, shut out the New York Mets, 6-0 to capture the National League pennant for the Dodgers.
THE NATIONAL LEAGUE’S HOTTEST TEAMS – Since Aug. 30 when the Dodgers started an eight-game winning streak, the team has posted a 22-10 (.688) record, including their three victories in the NLDS. That is the second-best winning percentage in the National League during that period, behind only the Phillies (24-9, .727).
► The Dodgers and Phillies have played 10 games this season and each has been won by the home team, with Philadelphia taking six of the 10.
NO NEED TO PANIC – Prior to this season, the Dodgers had appeared in the National League Championship Series seven times and have never dropped the first two games. However, of the franchise’s 18 World Series appearances, the team has lost the first two games of a Fall Classic seven times. On three occasions have they lost the first two games and come back to win a seven-game series – during the 1955, 1965, and 1981 World Series.
► In all three of those series, the first two games were on the road and the Dodgers rebounded to win three straight at home.
HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS – The Dodgers were 23-9 (.719) at Dodger Stadium after the All-Star break for the best home record in the Majors in that span. The .719 winning percentage at home in the second half was the club’s second-best since coming to Los Angeles behind only the 1991 squad that went 29-11 (.725) at home after the break.
RECORD-SETTING INFIELD – Tonight’s ceremonial first pitches will be thrown out by Steve Garvey, Davey Lopes, Bill Russell, and Ron Cey, who played together with the Dodgers for a Major League-record 8 ½ seasons. The quartet appeared in four World Series, including the World Championship team of 1981. Lopes currently serves as the first base coach for the Phillies, Garvey and Cey work in the Dodgers’ front office, and Russell works for Major League Baseball’s umpiring division.
BATTLED TESTED – Nomar Garciaparra has appeared in the LCS twice with Boston in 1999 and 2003. The Whittier native batted .400 (8-for-20) with two homers and five RBI in 1999. In 29 career postseason games, Garciaparra is batting .318 (34-for-107) with a .380 on-base percentage, .598 slugging percentage, seven homers, and 23 RBI. He ranks seventh among active players with a .314 career batting average.
THIS DATE IN DODGER HISTORY – On this date in 1985, the Dodgers notched five doubles in Game 3 at St. Louis to tie the club NLCS record set on Oct. 7, 1977.
GETTING ON – Andre Ethier is batting just .222 (4-for-18) in five postseason games this year, but he has reached base at a .391 clip during the playoffs, as he’s drawn five walks. Since August 5, Ethier is hitting .354 with a .439 on-base percentage and .615 slugging percentage.
WHAT A RELIEF – A quintet of Dodger relievers threw 5.2 scoreless innings in Game 2. In five postseason games, the Dodger bullpen has posted a 1.65 ERA (3 ER/16.1 IP). During the regular season, the Dodgers’ relief corps ranked second in the NL with a 3.33 ERA behind only the Phillies (3.19).
BIG GAME JAMES – James Loney went 2-for-4 in Game 2 and has at least one hit in all six of his career postseason games, batting .360 (9-for-25).
SEÑOR OCTUBRE – Manny Ramirez drove in three runs in Game 2 to give him seven during the playoffs and 71 in his postseason career, which ranks second all-time behind Bernie Williams (80). Ramirez has hit safely in 40 of his last 45 postseason games, with a .351 (60-for-171) average during that span. His teams are 58-42 overall in the postseason.
► Ramirez has three homers in his first five playoff games this year. The only other Los Angeles Dodgers to accomplish that feat are Steve Garvey and Ron Cey, who homered three times in the first five games of the 1978 NLCS.
MEDIA MADHOUSE – More than 800 credentials have been issued for the 2008 NLCS at Dodger Stadium. That includes more than 30 daily newspapers from around the country, several wire services and major sports websites, and media outlets from at least eight different countries – the United States, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Canada, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and Ecuador.
CATCHING SOME HITS – Russell Martin has a hit in all five postseason games this season and seven of the eight playoff games he’s played in during his career. He has a .313 career postseason average (10-for-32) with five RBI and six runs scored.
LINEUPS:
Phillies:
Rollins. SS
Victorino. CF
Utley. 2B
Howard. 1B
Burrell. LF
Werth. RF
Feliz. 3B
Ruiz. C
Moyer. LHP
Dodgers:
Furcal. SS
Ethier. RF
Ramirez. LF
Martin. C
Garciaparra. 1B
Blake. 3B
Kemp. CF
DeWitt. 2B
Kuroda. RHP
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Big Innings Are Killing The Dodgers
I know some Dodger fans are a bit panic-strickened today. That's understandable considering LA is down 0-2 to the Phillies.
However, as I have told some fans since that Game 2 loss, there's no need to panic until the Dodgers face an elimination game. Until then, anything is possible.
Don't believe me? Just ask Manny Ramirez. His 2004 Red Sox team was down 0-3 to the Yankees in the ALCS. Boston responded with 4 straight wins to advance to the World Series before sweeping the Cardinals in the Fall Classic. So again, anything is possible.
But if the Dodgers are going to make this comeback dream a reality, they will have to stop giving up the big inning. Their inability to limit the damage has been the main reason they find themselves in this 0-2 hole.
Even with Ramirez, the Dodgers simply don't have the firepower to overcome large deficits. During the regular season, LA went 15-41 in games in which the Dodgers gave up 3 or more runs in any one inning.
So what did the Phillies do in the first two games of this NLCS? They scored 3 runs off Derek Lowe in the 6th inning of Game 1, and then 4 runs in the 2nd and 3rd innings off Chad Billingsley and some help from the bullpen in Game 2.
If that trend continues, the Dodgers pursuit of their first World Series title since 1988 will have to wait until next year.
Dodger Daily Notes
MAKING A RUN FOR THE PENNANT – The NL West Division Champion Dodgers will take on the NL East Division Champion Phillies in Game 3 of the NLCS tomorrow at Dodger Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 5:22 p.m. PT.
► Tomorrow’s game will be the first NLCS game at Dodger Stadium in exactly 20 years. Game 7 of the 1988 NLCS vs. New York was on Oct. 12, 1988.
THE NATIONAL LEAGUE’S HOTTEST TEAMS – Since Aug. 30 when the Dodgers started an eight-game winning streak, the team has posted a 22-10 (.688) record, including their three victories in the NLDS. That is the second-best winning percentage in the National League during that period, behind only the Phillies (24-9, .727).
► The Dodgers and Phillies have played 10 games this season and each has been won by the home team, with Philadelphia taking six of the 10.
NO NEED TO PANIC – Prior to this season, the Dodgers had appeared in the National League Championship Series seven times and have never dropped the first two games. However, of the franchise’s 18 World Series appearances, the team has lost the first two games of a Fall Classic seven times. On three occasions have they lost the first two games and come back to win a seven-game series – during the 1955, 1965, and 1981 World Series.
► In all three of those series, the first two games were on the road and the Dodgers rebounded to win three straight at home.
HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS – The Dodgers were 23-9 (.719) at Dodger Stadium after the All-Star break for the best home record in the Majors in that span. The .719 winning percentage at home in the second half was the club’s second-best since coming to Los Angeles behind only the 1991 squad that went 29-11 (.725) at home after the break.
IT’S ALMOST HALLOWEEN – Former Dodger pitcher Jim Gott created Danny’s Farm last year, a non-profit organization designed to employ adults with disabilities and serve all children. Named for his son, Danny, who has autism, the farm will host a five-day Fall Pumpkin Festival from Oct. 26-30 and pumpkins will be free of charge to all kids with disabilities. For more information, call (626) 797-FARM or visit http://www.dannysfarm.com/
A SPECIAL BURGER FOR THE NLCS – Levy Restaurants will have a new offering in the Dugout Club and Dodger Stadium suites for the NLCS. The Lasorda Cabernet burger is made with Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, an old world style Italian red wine from the Tommy Lasorda Gold Medal Collection, and also features cabernet onions, whole grained mustard aioli, Swiss and cheddar cheese and baby arugula served on a Hawaiian roll.
WELL TRAVELED – After last night’s flight home, the Dodgers have flown more than 63,000 miles from the time they reported to Vero Beach until today. The team will have made 39 flights, including their historic trip to Beijing, China in March where they faced the Padres in the first-ever Major League games on Chinese soil.
THIS DATE IN DODGER HISTORY – On this date in 1978, rookie Bob Welch struck out Yankee slugger Reggie Jackson with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning to give the Dodgers a 4-3 victory in Game 4 of the World Series.
TAKE A BOW – The Dodgers will be honored as the Organization of the Year at the 24th Annual Asian Business League (ABL) Awards Dinner November 6 at the Omni Hotel in Los Angeles, it was announced yesterday.
WHAT A RELIEF – A quintet of Dodger relievers last night threw 5.2 scoreless innings. In five postseason games, the Dodger bullpen has posted a 1.65 ERA (3 ER/16.1 IP). During the regular season, the Dodgers’ relief corps ranked second in the NL with a 3.33 ERA behind only the Phillies (3.19).
BIG GAME JAMES – James Loney went 2-for-4 last night and has at least one hit in all six of his career postseason games, batting .360 (9-for-25).
SEÑOR OCTUBRE – Manny Ramirez drove in three runs last night to give him seven during the playoffs and 71 in his postseason career, which ranks second all-time behind Bernie Williams (80). Ramirez has hit safely in 40 of his last 45 postseason games, with a .351 (60-for-171) average during that span. His teams are 58-42 overall in the postseason.
► Ramirez has three homers in his first five playoff games this year. The only other Los Angeles Dodgers to accomplish that feat are Steve Garvey and Ron Cey, who homered three times in the first five games of the 1978 NLCS.
IN HIS FOOTSTEPS – The door to Joe Torre’s office still has the embossed words “ALSTON – MGR” from Walter Alston’s tenure as Dodger manager. During that time, he managed Philadelphia skipper Charlie Manuel in 1974-75.
THE HOME CROWD – Tomorrow night’s game is sold out. During the 2008 regular season, the Dodgers posted a paid attendance of 3,730,750, the third-highest total in the Majors behind only the Yankees and Mets, who were both closing down their stadiums. The Dodgers surpassed the three-million mark in paid attendance for the 13th consecutive season and a Major League record 23rd time overall.
► Tomorrow’s game will be the first NLCS game at Dodger Stadium in exactly 20 years. Game 7 of the 1988 NLCS vs. New York was on Oct. 12, 1988.
THE NATIONAL LEAGUE’S HOTTEST TEAMS – Since Aug. 30 when the Dodgers started an eight-game winning streak, the team has posted a 22-10 (.688) record, including their three victories in the NLDS. That is the second-best winning percentage in the National League during that period, behind only the Phillies (24-9, .727).
► The Dodgers and Phillies have played 10 games this season and each has been won by the home team, with Philadelphia taking six of the 10.
NO NEED TO PANIC – Prior to this season, the Dodgers had appeared in the National League Championship Series seven times and have never dropped the first two games. However, of the franchise’s 18 World Series appearances, the team has lost the first two games of a Fall Classic seven times. On three occasions have they lost the first two games and come back to win a seven-game series – during the 1955, 1965, and 1981 World Series.
► In all three of those series, the first two games were on the road and the Dodgers rebounded to win three straight at home.
HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS – The Dodgers were 23-9 (.719) at Dodger Stadium after the All-Star break for the best home record in the Majors in that span. The .719 winning percentage at home in the second half was the club’s second-best since coming to Los Angeles behind only the 1991 squad that went 29-11 (.725) at home after the break.
IT’S ALMOST HALLOWEEN – Former Dodger pitcher Jim Gott created Danny’s Farm last year, a non-profit organization designed to employ adults with disabilities and serve all children. Named for his son, Danny, who has autism, the farm will host a five-day Fall Pumpkin Festival from Oct. 26-30 and pumpkins will be free of charge to all kids with disabilities. For more information, call (626) 797-FARM or visit http://www.dannysfarm.com/
A SPECIAL BURGER FOR THE NLCS – Levy Restaurants will have a new offering in the Dugout Club and Dodger Stadium suites for the NLCS. The Lasorda Cabernet burger is made with Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, an old world style Italian red wine from the Tommy Lasorda Gold Medal Collection, and also features cabernet onions, whole grained mustard aioli, Swiss and cheddar cheese and baby arugula served on a Hawaiian roll.
WELL TRAVELED – After last night’s flight home, the Dodgers have flown more than 63,000 miles from the time they reported to Vero Beach until today. The team will have made 39 flights, including their historic trip to Beijing, China in March where they faced the Padres in the first-ever Major League games on Chinese soil.
THIS DATE IN DODGER HISTORY – On this date in 1978, rookie Bob Welch struck out Yankee slugger Reggie Jackson with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning to give the Dodgers a 4-3 victory in Game 4 of the World Series.
TAKE A BOW – The Dodgers will be honored as the Organization of the Year at the 24th Annual Asian Business League (ABL) Awards Dinner November 6 at the Omni Hotel in Los Angeles, it was announced yesterday.
WHAT A RELIEF – A quintet of Dodger relievers last night threw 5.2 scoreless innings. In five postseason games, the Dodger bullpen has posted a 1.65 ERA (3 ER/16.1 IP). During the regular season, the Dodgers’ relief corps ranked second in the NL with a 3.33 ERA behind only the Phillies (3.19).
BIG GAME JAMES – James Loney went 2-for-4 last night and has at least one hit in all six of his career postseason games, batting .360 (9-for-25).
SEÑOR OCTUBRE – Manny Ramirez drove in three runs last night to give him seven during the playoffs and 71 in his postseason career, which ranks second all-time behind Bernie Williams (80). Ramirez has hit safely in 40 of his last 45 postseason games, with a .351 (60-for-171) average during that span. His teams are 58-42 overall in the postseason.
► Ramirez has three homers in his first five playoff games this year. The only other Los Angeles Dodgers to accomplish that feat are Steve Garvey and Ron Cey, who homered three times in the first five games of the 1978 NLCS.
IN HIS FOOTSTEPS – The door to Joe Torre’s office still has the embossed words “ALSTON – MGR” from Walter Alston’s tenure as Dodger manager. During that time, he managed Philadelphia skipper Charlie Manuel in 1974-75.
THE HOME CROWD – Tomorrow night’s game is sold out. During the 2008 regular season, the Dodgers posted a paid attendance of 3,730,750, the third-highest total in the Majors behind only the Yankees and Mets, who were both closing down their stadiums. The Dodgers surpassed the three-million mark in paid attendance for the 13th consecutive season and a Major League record 23rd time overall.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Dodgers Daily Notes And Lineups--NLCS Game 2
MAKING A RUN FOR THE PENNANT – The NL West Division Champion Dodgers will take on the NL East Division Champion Phillies in Game 2 of the NLCS.
BASEBALL’S TWO HOTTEST TEAMS – Since Aug. 30 when the Dodgers started an eight-game winning streak, the team has posted a 22-9 (.710) record, including their three victories in the NLDS. That is the second-best winning percentage in Major League Baseball during that period, slightly behind the Phillies (23-9, .719).
► The Dodgers are 12-6 in their last 18 road games, including the NLDS.
NO NEED TO PANIC – Prior to this season, the Dodgers had appeared in the National League Championship Series seven times and have dropped the first game three times, yet come back to win on two of those occasions (1978 and 1988).
► Of the franchise’s six World Championships, the team has lost the first game of a seven-game Fall Classic four times and still come back to win – 1955, 1959, 1965, and 1981.
AN EYE FOR TALENT – Joining the Dodgers on the trip to Philadelphia are scouts Mitch Webster and Ron Rizzi, who served as advance scouts for this series. Webster, who played for the Dodgers from 1991-95, doubles as an amateur scout and is responsible for scouting and signing second baseman Blake DeWitt and left-hander Scott Elbert, both of whom made their big league debuts this season after being selected in the first round of the June 2004 First-Year Player Draft.
FOOTING THE BILLS – Tonight’s starter Chad Billingsley ranked fifth in the NL with 201 strikeouts and seventh with a 3.14 ERA this season. From June 17 through the end of the regular season, he went 12-3 with a 2.78 ERA, which tied him for the most wins in baseball during that period with Mark Buehrle, A.J. Burnett, Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Roy Oswalt, and CC Sabathia. At just 24 years of age, Billingsley became the youngest Dodger to notch 16 victories since Ramon Martinez won 17 as a 23-year-old in 1991.
► Billingsley allowed one earned run in 6.2 innings during his lone start in Game 2 of the NLDS at Chicago. In three career postseason outings, Billingsley is 1-0 with a 1.04 ERA (1 ER/8.2 IP) and has allowed just six hits while striking out 10.
OF COURSE HE PREFERS GENO’S – Tommy Lasorda has had two cheese steak sandwiches since coming to town earlier this week. The Italian skipper prefers Geno’s with provolone cheese, grilled onions, and hot peppers.
SEÑOR OCTUBRE – Manny Ramirez drove in his fourth run of the postseason last night to give him 68 for his career, which ranks second all-time behind Bernie Williams (80). Ramirez has hit safely in 39 of his last 44 postseason games, with a .353 (59-for-167) average during that span. His teams are 58-41 overall in the postseason.
BIG GAME JAMES – James Loney has at least one hit in all five of his career postseason games, batting .333 (7-for-21). He has a .391 on-base percentage and .524 slugging percentage.
THIS DATE IN DODGER HISTORY – On this date in 1920, in Game 5 of the World Series against the Indians, Cleveland second baseman Billy Wambsganss converts what is still the only unassisted triple play in World Series history.
KEEPING LEFTIES IN CHECK – Dodger pitchers have managed to contain left-handers pretty well so far in the postseason. Despite Chase Utley’s homer last night, lefties are batting just .184 (9-for-49) through four playoff games, compared to a .271 mark (23-for-85) by right-handed hitters.
WHAT A RELIEF – A trio of Dodger relievers last night threw 2.2 scoreless innings. In four postseason games, the Dodger bullpen has posted a 2.53 ERA (3 ER/10.2 IP) while holding hitters to a .205 batting average. During the regular season, the Dodgers’ relief corps ranked second in the NL with a 3.33 ERA behind only the Phillies (3.19).
► Dodger starting pitchers have been even better, posting a 1.85 ERA (5 ER/24.1 IP) in four games.
WELL TRAVELED – After tonight’s flight home, the Dodgers will have flown more than 63,000 miles from the time they reported to Vero Beach until Game 3 of the NLCS. The team will have made 39 flights, including their historic trip to Beijing, China in March where they faced the Padres in the first-ever Major League games on Chinese soil.
BACK HOME IN L.A. – The Dodgers’ front office will watch tonight’s game from the Third Baseline Box Club at Dodger Stadium. In addition, the Dodgers’ Home Base Network is hosting a number of viewing parties in Los Angeles for the NLCS, with former Dodgers Kenny Landreaux, Rudy Law, and Bobby Castillo in attendance as well as a chance to win tickets to Game 4 at Dodger Stadium. To find one of the 15 local restaurants/bars that are part of the Home Base Network, please visit https://www.fegmail.com/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.dodgers.com/homebase
BASEBALL’S TWO HOTTEST TEAMS – Since Aug. 30 when the Dodgers started an eight-game winning streak, the team has posted a 22-9 (.710) record, including their three victories in the NLDS. That is the second-best winning percentage in Major League Baseball during that period, slightly behind the Phillies (23-9, .719).
► The Dodgers are 12-6 in their last 18 road games, including the NLDS.
NO NEED TO PANIC – Prior to this season, the Dodgers had appeared in the National League Championship Series seven times and have dropped the first game three times, yet come back to win on two of those occasions (1978 and 1988).
► Of the franchise’s six World Championships, the team has lost the first game of a seven-game Fall Classic four times and still come back to win – 1955, 1959, 1965, and 1981.
AN EYE FOR TALENT – Joining the Dodgers on the trip to Philadelphia are scouts Mitch Webster and Ron Rizzi, who served as advance scouts for this series. Webster, who played for the Dodgers from 1991-95, doubles as an amateur scout and is responsible for scouting and signing second baseman Blake DeWitt and left-hander Scott Elbert, both of whom made their big league debuts this season after being selected in the first round of the June 2004 First-Year Player Draft.
FOOTING THE BILLS – Tonight’s starter Chad Billingsley ranked fifth in the NL with 201 strikeouts and seventh with a 3.14 ERA this season. From June 17 through the end of the regular season, he went 12-3 with a 2.78 ERA, which tied him for the most wins in baseball during that period with Mark Buehrle, A.J. Burnett, Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Roy Oswalt, and CC Sabathia. At just 24 years of age, Billingsley became the youngest Dodger to notch 16 victories since Ramon Martinez won 17 as a 23-year-old in 1991.
► Billingsley allowed one earned run in 6.2 innings during his lone start in Game 2 of the NLDS at Chicago. In three career postseason outings, Billingsley is 1-0 with a 1.04 ERA (1 ER/8.2 IP) and has allowed just six hits while striking out 10.
OF COURSE HE PREFERS GENO’S – Tommy Lasorda has had two cheese steak sandwiches since coming to town earlier this week. The Italian skipper prefers Geno’s with provolone cheese, grilled onions, and hot peppers.
SEÑOR OCTUBRE – Manny Ramirez drove in his fourth run of the postseason last night to give him 68 for his career, which ranks second all-time behind Bernie Williams (80). Ramirez has hit safely in 39 of his last 44 postseason games, with a .353 (59-for-167) average during that span. His teams are 58-41 overall in the postseason.
BIG GAME JAMES – James Loney has at least one hit in all five of his career postseason games, batting .333 (7-for-21). He has a .391 on-base percentage and .524 slugging percentage.
THIS DATE IN DODGER HISTORY – On this date in 1920, in Game 5 of the World Series against the Indians, Cleveland second baseman Billy Wambsganss converts what is still the only unassisted triple play in World Series history.
KEEPING LEFTIES IN CHECK – Dodger pitchers have managed to contain left-handers pretty well so far in the postseason. Despite Chase Utley’s homer last night, lefties are batting just .184 (9-for-49) through four playoff games, compared to a .271 mark (23-for-85) by right-handed hitters.
WHAT A RELIEF – A trio of Dodger relievers last night threw 2.2 scoreless innings. In four postseason games, the Dodger bullpen has posted a 2.53 ERA (3 ER/10.2 IP) while holding hitters to a .205 batting average. During the regular season, the Dodgers’ relief corps ranked second in the NL with a 3.33 ERA behind only the Phillies (3.19).
► Dodger starting pitchers have been even better, posting a 1.85 ERA (5 ER/24.1 IP) in four games.
WELL TRAVELED – After tonight’s flight home, the Dodgers will have flown more than 63,000 miles from the time they reported to Vero Beach until Game 3 of the NLCS. The team will have made 39 flights, including their historic trip to Beijing, China in March where they faced the Padres in the first-ever Major League games on Chinese soil.
BACK HOME IN L.A. – The Dodgers’ front office will watch tonight’s game from the Third Baseline Box Club at Dodger Stadium. In addition, the Dodgers’ Home Base Network is hosting a number of viewing parties in Los Angeles for the NLCS, with former Dodgers Kenny Landreaux, Rudy Law, and Bobby Castillo in attendance as well as a chance to win tickets to Game 4 at Dodger Stadium. To find one of the 15 local restaurants/bars that are part of the Home Base Network, please visit https://www.fegmail.com/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.dodgers.com/homebase
LINEUPS:
Dodgers:
Furcal. SS
Martin. C
Ramirez. LF
Ethier. RF
Loney. 1B
Kemp. CF
DeWitt. 2B
Blake. 3B
Billingsley. RHP
Phillies:
Rollins. SS
Victorino. CF
Utley. 2B
Howard. 1B
Burrell. LF
Werth. RF
Dobbs. 3B
Ruiz. C
Myers. RHP
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Lineups Announced For NLCS Game 1
Dodgers:
Furcal. SS
Ethier. RF
Ramirez. LF
Martin. C
Loney. 1B
Kemp. CF
Blake. 3
BDeWitt. 2B
Lowe. RHP
Phillies:
Rollins. SS
Victorino. CF
Utley. 2B
Howard. 1B
Burrell. LF
Werth. RF
Feliz. 3B
Ruiz. C
Hamels. LHP
Dodger Daily Notes--NLCS Game 1
A RETURN TO THE LCS – The NL West Division Champion Dodgers will take on the NL East Division Champion Phillies in Game 1 of the NLCS. This marks the first NLCS game for Los Angeles since Oct. 12, 1988.
BASEBALL’S TWO HOTTEST TEAMS – Since Aug. 30 when the Dodgers started an eight-game winning streak, the team has posted a 22-8 (.733) record, including their three victories in the NLDS. That is the best winning percentage in Major League Baseball during that period, slightly ahead of the Phillies (22-9, .710).
► The Dodgers are 12-5 in their last 17 road games, including the NLDS.
A HISTORY WITH PHILADELPHIA – This series marks the fourth time that the Dodgers and Phillies will meet in the National League Championship Series. The two teams met in consecutive years in 1977 and 1978, with the Dodgers winning both best-of-five series in four games. In 1983, Philadelphia turned the tables and defeated the Dodgers in four games. Detailed recaps of those series appear on pages 183-187 of the Dodgers’ 2008 Postseason Guide.
LEFT HAS BEEN RIGHT – The Dodgers will face two left-handed starters in the first three games of the NLCS – Cole Hamels and Jamie Moyer. This season, the Dodgers went 31-21 against left-handers and batted .275 against them, compared to .260 against right-handers.
LOWE DOWN – Tonight’s starter, Derek Lowe, is the only Major League pitcher to win at least 12 games in each of the past seven seasons. Over his last 11 starts, including the NLDS, Lowe has gone 7-1 with a 1.41 ERA (11 ER/70.0 IP). In his career against the Phillies, Lowe is 4-1 with a 3.02 ERA and two saves in 11 games, including a 2-0 mark and 2.25 ERA at Citizens Bank Park, where he’s held batters to a .216 average.
► Lowe is 5-0 with a 0.85 ERA in his last seven starts and has not lost to the Phillies since 2001. STATS, LLC
INSIDE DODGERTOWN – The Dodgers have launched daily webisodes on dodgers.com, taking fans “Inside Dodgertown.” The four-minute vignettes are hosted primarily by Rick Monday and include exclusive footage, interviews, and behind-the-scenes access to the team and its players.
SEÑOR OCTUBRE – Manny Ramirez graces the cover of Sports Illustrated this week, his fourth SI cover and first as a Dodger. He has hit safely in 38 of his last 43 postseason games, with a .350 (57-for-163) average during that span. His teams are 58-40 overall in the postseason.
BIG GAME JAMES – James Loney has at least one hit in all four of his career postseason games, batting .333 (6-for-18).
► During the regular season, Loney went 12-for-32 (.375) with a team-leading five RBI against the Phillies. Loney has a .400 career mark (16-for-40) with a homer and seven RBI at Citizens Bank Park.
► Others to fare well against Philly in ’08 are Jeff Kent (.364, 4 RBI) and Matt Kemp (.324, 4 2B, HR)
THIS DATE IN DODGER HISTORY – On this date in 1988, Mike Scioscia tied Game 4 of the NLCS with a two-run homer in the ninth inning off Dwight Gooden before Kirk Gibson won it on a 12th inning homer. On this date in 2004, Jose Lima pitched a complete-game shutout in Game 3 of the NLDS.
KUO IN THE MIX – Southpaw Hong-Chih Kuo was added to the NLCS roster in place of Takashi Saito. Kuo had a 1.69 ERA as a reliever, the best mark in the National League and seventh best in the Majors. He held lefties to a .202 average during the year, including a .130 (3-for-23) mark since July 27.
BUILDING FROM WITHIN – Of the 25 players on the NLCS roster, 11 were drafted and developed by the Dodgers – Chad Billingsley, Jonathan Broxton, Blake DeWitt, Matt Kemp, Clayton Kershaw, Hong-Chih Kuo, James Loney, Russell Martin, James McDonald, Chan Ho Park, and Cory Wade. Andre Ethier was drafted by Oakland but reached the Majors for the first time with Los Angeles.
MANUEL LABOR – Charlie Manuel, a reserve outfielder with the Dodgers in parts of the 1974 and 1975 seasons, is the second former Los Angeles player to manage against the Dodgers in the postseason. Former Dodger infielder Willie Randolph managed the New York Mets against Los Angeles in the 2006 N.L. Division Series.
► Other Phillies with Dodger ties are coaches Milt Thompson and Davey Lopes, outfielders Jayson Werth and Shane Victorino and pitcher Rudy Seanez. Dodger players or staff with ties to the Phillies include coaches Larry Bowa, Mariano Duncan, and Ken Howell, injured catcher Gary Bennett, broadcaster Fernando Valenzuela, Chief Operating Officer Dennis Mannion and Premium Sales Executive Allyson Connolly.
BACK HOME IN L.A. – The Dodgers’ front office will watch tonight’s game from the Third Baseline Box Club at Dodger Stadium. In addition, the Dodgers’ Home Base Network is hosting a number of viewing parties in Los Angeles for Games 1 & 2 of the NLCS, with former Dodgers Kenny Landreaux, Rudy Law, and Bobby Castillo in attendance as well as a chance to win tickets to Game 4 at Dodger Stadium. To find one of the 15 local restaurants/bars that are part of the Home Base Network, please visit www.dodgers.com/homebase
BASEBALL’S TWO HOTTEST TEAMS – Since Aug. 30 when the Dodgers started an eight-game winning streak, the team has posted a 22-8 (.733) record, including their three victories in the NLDS. That is the best winning percentage in Major League Baseball during that period, slightly ahead of the Phillies (22-9, .710).
► The Dodgers are 12-5 in their last 17 road games, including the NLDS.
A HISTORY WITH PHILADELPHIA – This series marks the fourth time that the Dodgers and Phillies will meet in the National League Championship Series. The two teams met in consecutive years in 1977 and 1978, with the Dodgers winning both best-of-five series in four games. In 1983, Philadelphia turned the tables and defeated the Dodgers in four games. Detailed recaps of those series appear on pages 183-187 of the Dodgers’ 2008 Postseason Guide.
LEFT HAS BEEN RIGHT – The Dodgers will face two left-handed starters in the first three games of the NLCS – Cole Hamels and Jamie Moyer. This season, the Dodgers went 31-21 against left-handers and batted .275 against them, compared to .260 against right-handers.
LOWE DOWN – Tonight’s starter, Derek Lowe, is the only Major League pitcher to win at least 12 games in each of the past seven seasons. Over his last 11 starts, including the NLDS, Lowe has gone 7-1 with a 1.41 ERA (11 ER/70.0 IP). In his career against the Phillies, Lowe is 4-1 with a 3.02 ERA and two saves in 11 games, including a 2-0 mark and 2.25 ERA at Citizens Bank Park, where he’s held batters to a .216 average.
► Lowe is 5-0 with a 0.85 ERA in his last seven starts and has not lost to the Phillies since 2001. STATS, LLC
INSIDE DODGERTOWN – The Dodgers have launched daily webisodes on dodgers.com, taking fans “Inside Dodgertown.” The four-minute vignettes are hosted primarily by Rick Monday and include exclusive footage, interviews, and behind-the-scenes access to the team and its players.
SEÑOR OCTUBRE – Manny Ramirez graces the cover of Sports Illustrated this week, his fourth SI cover and first as a Dodger. He has hit safely in 38 of his last 43 postseason games, with a .350 (57-for-163) average during that span. His teams are 58-40 overall in the postseason.
BIG GAME JAMES – James Loney has at least one hit in all four of his career postseason games, batting .333 (6-for-18).
► During the regular season, Loney went 12-for-32 (.375) with a team-leading five RBI against the Phillies. Loney has a .400 career mark (16-for-40) with a homer and seven RBI at Citizens Bank Park.
► Others to fare well against Philly in ’08 are Jeff Kent (.364, 4 RBI) and Matt Kemp (.324, 4 2B, HR)
THIS DATE IN DODGER HISTORY – On this date in 1988, Mike Scioscia tied Game 4 of the NLCS with a two-run homer in the ninth inning off Dwight Gooden before Kirk Gibson won it on a 12th inning homer. On this date in 2004, Jose Lima pitched a complete-game shutout in Game 3 of the NLDS.
KUO IN THE MIX – Southpaw Hong-Chih Kuo was added to the NLCS roster in place of Takashi Saito. Kuo had a 1.69 ERA as a reliever, the best mark in the National League and seventh best in the Majors. He held lefties to a .202 average during the year, including a .130 (3-for-23) mark since July 27.
BUILDING FROM WITHIN – Of the 25 players on the NLCS roster, 11 were drafted and developed by the Dodgers – Chad Billingsley, Jonathan Broxton, Blake DeWitt, Matt Kemp, Clayton Kershaw, Hong-Chih Kuo, James Loney, Russell Martin, James McDonald, Chan Ho Park, and Cory Wade. Andre Ethier was drafted by Oakland but reached the Majors for the first time with Los Angeles.
MANUEL LABOR – Charlie Manuel, a reserve outfielder with the Dodgers in parts of the 1974 and 1975 seasons, is the second former Los Angeles player to manage against the Dodgers in the postseason. Former Dodger infielder Willie Randolph managed the New York Mets against Los Angeles in the 2006 N.L. Division Series.
► Other Phillies with Dodger ties are coaches Milt Thompson and Davey Lopes, outfielders Jayson Werth and Shane Victorino and pitcher Rudy Seanez. Dodger players or staff with ties to the Phillies include coaches Larry Bowa, Mariano Duncan, and Ken Howell, injured catcher Gary Bennett, broadcaster Fernando Valenzuela, Chief Operating Officer Dennis Mannion and Premium Sales Executive Allyson Connolly.
BACK HOME IN L.A. – The Dodgers’ front office will watch tonight’s game from the Third Baseline Box Club at Dodger Stadium. In addition, the Dodgers’ Home Base Network is hosting a number of viewing parties in Los Angeles for Games 1 & 2 of the NLCS, with former Dodgers Kenny Landreaux, Rudy Law, and Bobby Castillo in attendance as well as a chance to win tickets to Game 4 at Dodger Stadium. To find one of the 15 local restaurants/bars that are part of the Home Base Network, please visit www.dodgers.com/homebase
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Dodgers Daily Notes
ON TO THE LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES – The NL West Division Champion Dodgers will take on the NL East Division Champion Phillies in Game 1 of the NLCS tomorrow. The Dodgers swept the Cubs in the best-of-five NLDS.
BASEBALL’S TWO HOTTEST TEAMS – Since Aug. 30 when the Dodgers started an eight-game winning streak, the team has posted a 22-8 (.733) record, including their three victories in the NLDS. That is the best winning percentage in Major League Baseball during that period, slightly ahead of the Phillies (22-9, .710).
A HISTORY WITH PHILADELPHIA – This series marks the fourth time that the Dodgers and Phillies will meet in the National League Championship Series. The two teams met in consecutive years in 1977 and 1978, with the Dodgers winning both best-of-five series in four games. In 1983, Philadelphia turned the tables and defeated the Dodgers in four games. Detailed recaps of those series appear on pages 183-187 of the Dodgers’ 2008 Postseason Guide.
LEFT HAS BEEN RIGHT – The Dodgers will likely face two left-handed starters in the first four games of the NLCS – Cole Hamels and Jamie Moyer. This season, the Dodgers went 31-21 against left-handers and batted .275 against them, compared to .260 against right-handers.
SPEAKING OF LEFT-HANDERS – One of the most famous left-handers in Dodger history, Fernando Valenzuela, is on hand to serve as an analyst for KHJ/La Ranchera 930, the Dodgers’ Spanish-language radio home. Valenzuela appeared in eight games (seven starts) while posting a 3.00 ERA for the Phillies in 1994, when he was a teammate of current Dodger first base coach Mariano Duncan.
BACK WHEN HE WAS A SCRIBE – Ned Colletti, the first Los Angeles Dodger GM to build two playoff teams in his first three seasons, covered the Philadelphia Flyers for the Philadelphia Journal from 1980-81 prior to joining the Cubs’ front office.
SEÑOR OCTUBRE – Manny Ramirez graces the cover of Sports Illustrated this week, his fourth SI cover and first as a Dodger. He has hit safely in 38 of his last 43 postseason games, with a .350 (57-for-163) average during that span. His teams are 58-40 overall in the postseason.
► Phillies manager Charlie Manuel served as Ramirez’s manager for Triple-A Charlotte in the Indians’ organization in 1993, as his hitting coach with the Indians from 1994-99, and as his manager in Cleveland in 2000.
BIG GAME JAMES – James Loney has a hit in all four of his career postseason games, batting .333 (6-for-18).
► During the regular season, Loney went 12-for-32 (.375) with a team-leading five RBI against the Phillies. Loney has a .400 career mark (16-for-40) with a homer and seven RBI at Citizens Bank Park.
► Others to fare well against Philly in ’08 are Jeff Kent (.364, 4 RBI) and Matt Kemp (.324, 4 2B, HR)
THIS DATE IN DODGER HISTORY – On this date in 1957, Dodger President Walter O’Malley announced the club’s westward move to Los Angeles. Since then, the Dodgers have won more games, more NL pennants and more World Series than any other team in the National League.
BIRTHDAY BOYS – Dodger massage therapist Ichiro Tani celebrates his birthday today. He shares his big day with Special Assistant to the GM Rick Ragazzo, Dodger gardener Ignacio Carrillo, and former Dodger Olmedo Saenz.
PHRONT OFFICE TIES – Dodger Chief Operating Officer Dennis Mannion worked for the Phillies from 1982-97, eventually serving as Vice President of Marketing and Sales for eight seasons. Premium Seating Sales Exec Allyson Connolly also cut her teeth in Philadelphia prior to joining the Dodgers.
MANUEL LABOR – Charlie Manuel, a reserve outfielder with the Dodgers in parts of the 1974 and 1975 seasons, is the second former Los Angeles player to manage against the Dodgers in the postseason. Former Dodger infielder Willie Randolph managed the New York Mets against Los Angeles in the 2006 N.L. Division Series. Two former Brooklyn Dodger players managed against the Dodgers in the postseason – Al Lopez (White Sox vs. Los Angeles in 1959 World Series) and Casey Stengel, who managed the Yankees against the Brooklyn Dodgers in five World Series in the 1940s and 50s.
THEY BLED DODGER BLUE – Two former Dodgers are on Charlie Manuel’s coaching staff – Milt Thompson, who played on the 1996 Dodgers and Davey Lopes, who played for Los Angeles from 1972-81, appearing in two NLCS and helping the Dodgers to the 1981 World Championship. Along with Steve Garvey, Bill Russell and Ron Cey, he was part of the famous Dodger infield of the 70s and 80s that played together for an MLB record 8 ½ seasons.
IF YOU’RE NOT IN PHILLY – The Dodgers’ Home Base Network is hosting a number of viewing parties in Los Angeles for Games 1 & 2 of the NLCS, with former Dodgers Kenny Landreaux, Rudy Law, and Bobby Castillo in attendance as well as a chance to win tickets to Game 4 at Dodger Stadium. To find one of the 15 local restaurants/bars that are part of the Home Base Network, please visit www.dodgers.com/homebase
BASEBALL’S TWO HOTTEST TEAMS – Since Aug. 30 when the Dodgers started an eight-game winning streak, the team has posted a 22-8 (.733) record, including their three victories in the NLDS. That is the best winning percentage in Major League Baseball during that period, slightly ahead of the Phillies (22-9, .710).
A HISTORY WITH PHILADELPHIA – This series marks the fourth time that the Dodgers and Phillies will meet in the National League Championship Series. The two teams met in consecutive years in 1977 and 1978, with the Dodgers winning both best-of-five series in four games. In 1983, Philadelphia turned the tables and defeated the Dodgers in four games. Detailed recaps of those series appear on pages 183-187 of the Dodgers’ 2008 Postseason Guide.
LEFT HAS BEEN RIGHT – The Dodgers will likely face two left-handed starters in the first four games of the NLCS – Cole Hamels and Jamie Moyer. This season, the Dodgers went 31-21 against left-handers and batted .275 against them, compared to .260 against right-handers.
SPEAKING OF LEFT-HANDERS – One of the most famous left-handers in Dodger history, Fernando Valenzuela, is on hand to serve as an analyst for KHJ/La Ranchera 930, the Dodgers’ Spanish-language radio home. Valenzuela appeared in eight games (seven starts) while posting a 3.00 ERA for the Phillies in 1994, when he was a teammate of current Dodger first base coach Mariano Duncan.
BACK WHEN HE WAS A SCRIBE – Ned Colletti, the first Los Angeles Dodger GM to build two playoff teams in his first three seasons, covered the Philadelphia Flyers for the Philadelphia Journal from 1980-81 prior to joining the Cubs’ front office.
SEÑOR OCTUBRE – Manny Ramirez graces the cover of Sports Illustrated this week, his fourth SI cover and first as a Dodger. He has hit safely in 38 of his last 43 postseason games, with a .350 (57-for-163) average during that span. His teams are 58-40 overall in the postseason.
► Phillies manager Charlie Manuel served as Ramirez’s manager for Triple-A Charlotte in the Indians’ organization in 1993, as his hitting coach with the Indians from 1994-99, and as his manager in Cleveland in 2000.
BIG GAME JAMES – James Loney has a hit in all four of his career postseason games, batting .333 (6-for-18).
► During the regular season, Loney went 12-for-32 (.375) with a team-leading five RBI against the Phillies. Loney has a .400 career mark (16-for-40) with a homer and seven RBI at Citizens Bank Park.
► Others to fare well against Philly in ’08 are Jeff Kent (.364, 4 RBI) and Matt Kemp (.324, 4 2B, HR)
THIS DATE IN DODGER HISTORY – On this date in 1957, Dodger President Walter O’Malley announced the club’s westward move to Los Angeles. Since then, the Dodgers have won more games, more NL pennants and more World Series than any other team in the National League.
BIRTHDAY BOYS – Dodger massage therapist Ichiro Tani celebrates his birthday today. He shares his big day with Special Assistant to the GM Rick Ragazzo, Dodger gardener Ignacio Carrillo, and former Dodger Olmedo Saenz.
PHRONT OFFICE TIES – Dodger Chief Operating Officer Dennis Mannion worked for the Phillies from 1982-97, eventually serving as Vice President of Marketing and Sales for eight seasons. Premium Seating Sales Exec Allyson Connolly also cut her teeth in Philadelphia prior to joining the Dodgers.
MANUEL LABOR – Charlie Manuel, a reserve outfielder with the Dodgers in parts of the 1974 and 1975 seasons, is the second former Los Angeles player to manage against the Dodgers in the postseason. Former Dodger infielder Willie Randolph managed the New York Mets against Los Angeles in the 2006 N.L. Division Series. Two former Brooklyn Dodger players managed against the Dodgers in the postseason – Al Lopez (White Sox vs. Los Angeles in 1959 World Series) and Casey Stengel, who managed the Yankees against the Brooklyn Dodgers in five World Series in the 1940s and 50s.
THEY BLED DODGER BLUE – Two former Dodgers are on Charlie Manuel’s coaching staff – Milt Thompson, who played on the 1996 Dodgers and Davey Lopes, who played for Los Angeles from 1972-81, appearing in two NLCS and helping the Dodgers to the 1981 World Championship. Along with Steve Garvey, Bill Russell and Ron Cey, he was part of the famous Dodger infield of the 70s and 80s that played together for an MLB record 8 ½ seasons.
IF YOU’RE NOT IN PHILLY – The Dodgers’ Home Base Network is hosting a number of viewing parties in Los Angeles for Games 1 & 2 of the NLCS, with former Dodgers Kenny Landreaux, Rudy Law, and Bobby Castillo in attendance as well as a chance to win tickets to Game 4 at Dodger Stadium. To find one of the 15 local restaurants/bars that are part of the Home Base Network, please visit www.dodgers.com/homebase
Monday, October 6, 2008
Dodger Daily Notes: Workout Day - October 6
ON TO THE LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES -- The NL West Division Champion Dodgers will take on the NL East Division Champion Phillies in Game 1 of the NLCS on Thursday. The Dodgers swept the Cubs in a best-of-five series.
BASEBALL'S TWO HOTTEST TEAMS -- Since Aug. 30 when the Dodgers started an eight-game winning streak, the team has posted a 22-8 (.733) record, including their three victories in the NLDS. That is the best winning percentage in Major League Baseball during that period, slightly ahead of the Phillies (22-9, .710).
A HISTORY WITH PHILADELPHIA -- This series marks the fourth time that the Dodgers and Phillies will meet in the National League Championship Series. The two teams met in consecutive years in 1977 and 1978, with the Dodgers winning both best-of-five series in four games. In 1983, Philadelphia turned the tables and defeated the Dodgers in four games.
* In the 1977 NLCS, the Dodgers dropped the first game at Dodger Stadium before coming back to win three in a row and win the series in Game 4 in front of 64,924 fans at Philadelphia's Veterans Stadium. Los Angeles lost the World Series that year to the Yankees in six games.
* In 1978, the Dodgers captured the first two games at Veterans Stadium before dropping Game 3 to Steve Carlton. Los Angeles wrapped up the series at Dodger Stadium in Game 4 with a 4-3,
10-inning victory.
* In 1983, the Dodgers dropped the opener at home before winning Game 2 behind Fernando Valenzuela. Los Angeles then lost Games 3 & 4 in Philadelphia but the Phillies went on to lose to the Orioles in the World Series.
Detailed recaps of these series appears on pages 183-187 of the Dodgers' 2008 Postseason Guide.
SENOR OCTUBRE -- On Saturday night, Manny Ramirez went 1-for-2 to finish the NLDS 5-for-10 with two homers, three RBI and four walks. He has now hit safely in 38 of his last 43 postseason games, with a .350 (57-for-163) average during that span. His teams are 58-40 overall in the postseason.
BIG GAME JAMES -- James Loney had two RBI in Game 3 of the NLDS, finishing the series with a Dodger-record six RBI and a Dodger NLDS career mark of nine. Loney has a hit in all four of his career postseason games, batting .333 (6-for-18).
*During the regular season, Loney went 12-for-32 (.375) with a team-leading five RBI against the Phillies. Loney has a .400 career mark (16-for-40) with a homer and seven RBI at Citizens Bank Park.
*Other Dodgers to fare well against Philly are Jeff Kent (.364, 4 RBI) and Matt Kemp (.324, 4 2B, HR)
PHRONT OFFICE TIES -- Dodger Chief Operating Officer Dennis Mannion worked for the Phillies from 1982-97 while Sales Exec Allyson Connolly cut her teeth in Philadelphia prior to joining the Dodgers.
THIS DATE IN DODGER HISTORY -- On this date in 1959, the largest World Series crowd in Major League history (92,706) attends Game 5 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, as the Dodgers lost 1-0 behind Sandy Koufax. On this date in 1963, the Dodgers completed a four-game sweep over the Yankees to win the World Series -- the club's last series sweep in the postseason prior to this year's NLDS.
LARRY LEGEND -- Dodger third base coach Larry Bowa played for the Phillies from 1970-81, winning two Gold Gloves (1972, 1978) and appearing on five All-Star teams. He faced the Dodgers in the NLCS in 1977 and 1978 and is the franchise's all-time leader in games and fielding percentage at shortstop (1,667, .991). He ranks among the franchise leader in numerous offensive categories.
*Bowa managed the Phillies from 2001-04, compiling a 277-308 record.
MANUEL LABOR -- Charlie Manuel, a reserve outfielder with the Dodgers in parts of the 1974 and 1975 seasons, is the second former Los Angeles player to manage against the Dodgers in the postseason. Former Dodger infielder Willie Randolph managed the New York Mets against Los Angeles in the 2006 N.L. Division Series. Two former Brooklyn Dodger players managed against the Dodgers in the postseason -- Al Lopez (White Sox vs. Los Angeles in 1959 World Series) and Casey Stengel, who managed the Yankees against the Brooklyn Dodgers in five World Series in the 1940s and 50s.
THEY BLED DODGER BLUE -- Two former Dodgers are on Charlie Manuel's coaching staff -- Milt Thompson, who played on the 1996 Dodgers and Davey Lopes, who played for Los Angeles from 1972-81, appearing in two NLCS and helping the Dodgers to the 1981 World Championship. Along with Steve Garvey, Bill Russell and Ron Cey, he was part of the famous Dodger infield of the 70s and 80s that played together for an MLB record 8 1/2 seasons.
*Among the Phillies who hold ties to the Dodgers are Jayson Werth (2004-06) and Rudy Seanez (1994-95, 2007). Shane Victorino was drafted by the Dodgers in the sixth round in 1999 but was taken in the Rule 5 draft in 2002 before being returned the organization and taken again in 2004 by the Phillies.
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