Colletti's comments on the veterans

Great post, Brendt. To elaborate on your Nomar curiousity...

hunteralan:

Garciaparra: He is the one I have the least to go on. He’s a bit of an enigma to me. I know he had problems in Boston, but was that more due to him or to the atmosphere around him? And here, he’s done a lot of ‘character’ type things. Have we actually had quotes from him that lump him with these other three? I don’t’ know of any. This may be an unfair characterization of him. I need some other opinions on this one.

Based on what I've read and heard from Red Sox fans, Nomar basically did everything he could to get out of Boston during his last two years. He shut himself out from his teammates, he would sulk in the dugout, in particular during the 2003 ALCS, and just managed to completely alienate himself from the Boston fans. This was further escalated when during Spring Training 2004 he rejected a 4 year/$60 million deal and I think what really did it - and eventually led to his trade - was an achilles heel problem that developed that same Spring Training. He missed a few months and stretched out that injury as long as he could. And, when he did come back, he threatened to go on the disabled list that August, only when he got traded to the Cubs, he was suddenly fine. He was a complete malcontent.

Character guy alright, huh?

Matthew:

Great post, Brendt. To elaborate on your Nomar curiousity...

Based on what I've read and heard from Red Sox fans, Nomar basically did everything he could to get out of Boston during his last two years. He shut himself out from his teammates, he would sulk in the dugout, in particular during the 2003 ALCS, and just managed to completely alienate himself from the Boston fans. This was further escalated when during Spring Training 2004 he rejected a 4 year/$60 million deal and I think what really did it - and eventually led to his trade - was an achilles heel problem that developed that same Spring Training. He missed a few months and stretched out that injury as long as he could. And, when he did come back, he threatened to go on the disabled list that August, only when he got traded to the Cubs, he was suddenly fine. He was a complete malcontent.

Character guy alright, huh?

I knew there was something in Boston. Sounds like he can be a bit of a 'privileged' guy too, huh? But that just flies in the face of how he's been here. Always accomodating, none of the reclusive behavior, . . .

As I said before, he's still a bit of an enigma to me.

Thanks Matt.

hunteralan:

Colletti, taking the PC road (Part I):

"Colletti said he has not been able to put his finger on why a roster, built with chemistry in mind, spoiled, but he acknowledged that the wave of young players moving out the veterans was a tough trick by sheer quantity. Most of the unhappy aging veterans will be gone next year, leaving Little and the club hoping they take with them the bitterness that soured the clubhouse as the season unraveled."

I highly doubt Colletti is clueless on this subject, but just in case, here's my take on the subject:

The 'unhappy aging veterans' would have to include Kent, Gonzalez, Garciaparra, and Lowe. I can't imagine what Pierre would have to be unhappy about, and I haven't heard anything about Wells, Lieberthal, Seanez, Saenz, or Martinez saying anything or being spoken about as bitter. Haven't heard anything about Hillenbrand either, even though he's been known as a whiner, but if he has, he really has no leg to stand on as he was out of baseball until we brought him back to fill in. He should be nothing but grateful.

So on to our Flatulent Foursome: What makes them so unhappy?

Kent: How do I write this delicately? He's been a jerk wherever he's played (well, not very delicate, but by all accounts true), never had any kind of working relationship with his teammates off the field here or anywhere else, and has never felt the need to hold his tongue or explain/clarify his comments when he does sound off. I understand the frustration of his career winding down and not having a ring, but if he had any kind of working relationship with the kids then his comments probably wouldn't have been so pointed or they would have been taken as constructive. As it is, and also due to his refusal to discuss what he meant, the kids can get nothing out of what he said other than what they interpret themselves. There is never any chemistry with Kent because he will not make any personal inroads with his teammates. The only 'chemisterial' hope with him is that he doesn't pop off, but alas . . .

Gonzalez: As much as he’s been lauded in the past as a great clubhouse guy and all around professional, he sure has been a whiner the last couple years. He whined when Arizona decided to go a different direction and let him walk and he whined this year when the kids started taking his playing time. In neither case did he really have any good reason to complain. It was Arizona’s perogative to go with the youth movement last year and they had no room for him in their planned outfield. This year he complains about losing playing time even when others are clearly outplaying him. My opinion is, he feels he’s owed something; He’s acting a little too privileged. He’s the established vet and he should be accorded playing time because of that. I wouldn’t be surprised if he rationalizes it by thinking he should be allowed to work through his slump, even if it has been over a month! He’s got the markings of one of those who hangs around too long and plays out his career as nothing more than a shell of himself. Maybe in the past he’s been a good clubhouse guy, but at present his whining (not to mention his sliding production and age) gives me enough reason to be glad he won’t be around any longer.

Garciaparra: He is the one I have the least to go on. He’s a bit of an enigma to me. I know he had problems in Boston, but was that more due to him or to the atmosphere around him? And here, he’s done a lot of ‘character’ type things. Have we actually had quotes from him that lump him with these other three? I don’t’ know of any. This may be an unfair characterization of him. I need some other opinions on this one.

Lowe: Like Kent, he doesn't need much reason. He's been a bit of a sourpuss and flake throughout his career. He's always gone out and done his job, but some of his personal decisions greatly bring his character, scruples, and decision making into question. And we all know he can easily be rattled on the field. I just don't have a very high opinion of his mental makeup. He comes across to me as a bandwagoner. And correct me if I'm wrong, but hasn't he been characterized as a bit of a loaner in the clubhouse too? Like when he started his affair with What's-her-name last year and basically said he didn't care what anyone thought? Certainly not much of a high character guy, and consequently not much in the way of positive chemistry either.

I don't think Lowe was one of the original dissenters. It seems that he spoke up in defense of the veterans, not that he was one of them with a beef. That's how I took his comments.

I can see Lieberthal being one of the guys who complained to Little about playing time, although there hasn't been a focus on that. We've only heard about the starters who were edged out by the young guys, not any of the bench guys. I'm not saying that he WAS one of them, but you could imagine him being disappointed. Lieberthal is another player who initially said he understood what his role was when he signed, and he didn't expect to get a ton of starts. He was just very pleased to be back home. However, players are always positive when they sign with a team, so they're not going to admit what they really might be thinking: "Yeah, my agenda IS to start a lot, and I won't be happy if it doesn't happen." He didn't sound hopeful of returning, and he acknowledged they were probably playing Moeller more because they thought of him as an option for 2008.

It would've been a good idea to rest Martin more, and like an article in Sunday's Times suggested, Martin might have to consider moving from his position down the road. Little needs to be the manager and not let eager players possibly harm themselves. Martin wants to play every day, and his attitude and energy are admirable, but you have to save him from himself, IMO. Otherwise, he could be burned out by the age of 28.

elysianpark62:

hunteralan:

Colletti, taking the PC road (Part I):

"Colletti said he has not been able to put his finger on why a roster, built with chemistry in mind, spoiled, but he acknowledged that the wave of young players moving out the veterans was a tough trick by sheer quantity. Most of the unhappy aging veterans will be gone next year, leaving Little and the club hoping they take with them the bitterness that soured the clubhouse as the season unraveled."

I highly doubt Colletti is clueless on this subject, but just in case, here's my take on the subject:

The 'unhappy aging veterans' would have to include Kent, Gonzalez, Garciaparra, and Lowe. I can't imagine what Pierre would have to be unhappy about, and I haven't heard anything about Wells, Lieberthal, Seanez, Saenz, or Martinez saying anything or being spoken about as bitter. Haven't heard anything about Hillenbrand either, even though he's been known as a whiner, but if he has, he really has no leg to stand on as he was out of baseball until we brought him back to fill in. He should be nothing but grateful.

So on to our Flatulent Foursome: What makes them so unhappy?

Kent: How do I write this delicately? He's been a jerk wherever he's played (well, not very delicate, but by all accounts true), never had any kind of working relationship with his teammates off the field here or anywhere else, and has never felt the need to hold his tongue or explain/clarify his comments when he does sound off. I understand the frustration of his career winding down and not having a ring, but if he had any kind of working relationship with the kids then his comments probably wouldn't have been so pointed or they would have been taken as constructive. As it is, and also due to his refusal to discuss what he meant, the kids can get nothing out of what he said other than what they interpret themselves. There is never any chemistry with Kent because he will not make any personal inroads with his teammates. The only 'chemisterial' hope with him is that he doesn't pop off, but alas . . .

Gonzalez: As much as he’s been lauded in the past as a great clubhouse guy and all around professional, he sure has been a whiner the last couple years. He whined when Arizona decided to go a different direction and let him walk and he whined this year when the kids started taking his playing time. In neither case did he really have any good reason to complain. It was Arizona’s perogative to go with the youth movement last year and they had no room for him in their planned outfield. This year he complains about losing playing time even when others are clearly outplaying him. My opinion is, he feels he’s owed something; He’s acting a little too privileged. He’s the established vet and he should be accorded playing time because of that. I wouldn’t be surprised if he rationalizes it by thinking he should be allowed to work through his slump, even if it has been over a month! He’s got the markings of one of those who hangs around too long and plays out his career as nothing more than a shell of himself. Maybe in the past he’s been a good clubhouse guy, but at present his whining (not to mention his sliding production and age) gives me enough reason to be glad he won’t be around any longer.

Garciaparra: He is the one I have the least to go on. He’s a bit of an enigma to me. I know he had problems in Boston, but was that more due to him or to the atmosphere around him? And here, he’s done a lot of ‘character’ type things. Have we actually had quotes from him that lump him with these other three? I don’t’ know of any. This may be an unfair characterization of him. I need some other opinions on this one.

Lowe: Like Kent, he doesn't need much reason. He's been a bit of a sourpuss and flake throughout his career. He's always gone out and done his job, but some of his personal decisions greatly bring his character, scruples, and decision making into question. And we all know he can easily be rattled on the field. I just don't have a very high opinion of his mental makeup. He comes across to me as a bandwagoner. And correct me if I'm wrong, but hasn't he been characterized as a bit of a loaner in the clubhouse too? Like when he started his affair with What's-her-name last year and basically said he didn't care what anyone thought? Certainly not much of a high character guy, and consequently not much in the way of positive chemistry either.

I don't think Lowe was one of the original dissenters. It seems that he spoke up in defense of the veterans, not that he was one of them with a beef. That's how I took his comments.

I can see Lieberthal being one of the guys who complained to Little about playing time, although there hasn't been a focus on that. We've only heard about the starters who were edged out by the young guys, not any of the bench guys. I'm not saying that he WAS one of them, but you could imagine him being disappointed. Lieberthal is another player who initially said he understood what his role was when he signed, and he didn't expect to get a ton of starts. He was just very pleased to be back home. However, players are always positive when they sign with a team, so they're not going to admit what they really might be thinking: "Yeah, my agenda IS to start a lot, and I won't be happy if it doesn't happen." He didn't sound hopeful of returning, and he acknowledged they were probably playing Moeller more because they thought of him as an option for 2008.

It would've been a good idea to rest Martin more, and like an article in Sunday's Times suggested, Martin might have to consider moving from his position down the road. Little needs to be the manager and not let eager players possibly harm themselves. Martin wants to play every day, and his attitude and energy are admirable, but you have to save him from himself, IMO. Otherwise, he could be burned out by the age of 28.

I think you might be off on Lieberthal. He's never complained about PT and every quote from him about Martin is total praise. Here is a subtle insight into how he is thought of, verbatim from Gurnick: "The popular Lieberthal hasn't played since Saturday night, when he had a jarring plate collision with Arizona's Mark Reynolds in the first inning, but finished out the game."

He previously stated that he would like to come back, but after Moeller has received all of the PT the past week, he pretty much knows that his contract will be bought out.

(sent from my Treo Phone)

Seasonls finally over, & I believe we're got a ways to go regarding any news on our vet's future.

Jay, you seem to make very 'final' decisions based on such little info. Howwver, I'm not gonna do that with Kent. Unlike your assumption I will 'never see it that way,' I may yet indeed, but not until more info comes out about his feelings about next season, & what (if anything) he & Loney/Kemp are doing to work things out.

People say things like 1) character doesn't matter (unless it's Kent) 2) 'don't air crap to the media' (yet they want Kent to go back & explain himself now?), 'good riddance to Kent' for one lousy media comment (yet have no GOOD solution as to how to replace him).

As for the othwr vets, I honestly don't care, as they're much easier to replace (save maybe Lowe).

Elysian,
I have seen several positive comments from Lieberthal this year. Even when reporters tried to lead him down the road other vets had taken his answers were always something like - ya, I guess I would have like to have gotten more playing time, but I'm playing behind the starting catcher for the all-star team and maybe the best catcher in baseball right now. Or Martin's great and I'm happy to get in there whenever he gets a day off, but he's an ironman. I get the impression that even if Lieberthal were unhappy about his playing time that he's one of the few that was willing to keep it to himself.

[quote][cite] BluePastorKyle:[/cite](sent from my Treo Phone)

Seasonls finally over, & I believe we're got a ways to go regarding any news on our vet's future.

Jay, you seem to make very 'final' decisions based on such little info. Howwver, I'm not gonna do that with Kent. Unlike your assumption I will 'never see it that way,' I may yet indeed, but not until more info comes out about his feelings about next season, & what (if anything) he & Loney/Kemp are doing to work things out.

People say things like 1) character doesn't matter (unless it's Kent) 2) 'don't air crap to the media' (yet they want Kent to go back & explain himself now?), 'good riddance to Kent' for one lousy media comment (yet have no GOOD solution as to how to replace him).

As for the othwr vets, I honestly don't care, as they're much easier to replace (save maybe Lowe).[/quote]

Kyle, I'm sorry we can't agree on this, but I feel how I feel and yea, it's not going to change. If Kent is back next year, I'll pull for him, just like I did Daryl Strawberry and Gary Sheffield, and yes that is exactly the company he keeps in my way of thinking.

By the way, I have never said character doesn't matter. I think quality character does help you build a team as you hope players care more about the team than themselves. Maybe I'm naive in thinking that way of thinking actually exist any more, but I hope it does.

I'm with Beags on this one Kyle. Kent could have handled the situation very differently, but he chose this path. I don't expect he'll be back next year, and I think that will be his choice, one way or the other (retire or demand a trade). When it happens, I'll say good riddance to bad rubbish. If it doesn't, I'll say "Go Kent" with one arm raised in the air and the other holding my nose.

One more thing. As for as replacing Kent, I'm not completely sold on Abreu, and I doubt management is either. I also don't like the idea of replacing one bad defender with one that might be worse (if that's possible).
So, I'm thinking about signing Iguchi (sp). He's not the power threat Kent is, but he's a nice productive hitter.

The bottom line is this. Kent is far, far, far from the power hitter we need in the middle of the line-up any way. And with Kemp, Loney and Martin, we have our middle of the order, besides the one power hitter we need (which Kent ain't). So, where is Kent going to hit? Fifth instead of Kemp, Loney or Martin? That's the kind of thinking that screwed us this year. So, will Kent hit 7th? Yea, right. He'd rather sniff a tin of Barry Bonds' bacne than hit lower than 5th. His ego would never allow such.

So, if we have to add a power bat to the middle of the line-up, it means Kent would likely be asked to hit somewhere he wouldn't want to any way.

Furcal SS
Pierre CF
Kemp RF
Power Bat 3B/LF
Loney 1B
Martin C
Ethier/LaRoche LF/3B
Iguchi 2B

Think about it. Iguchi gives us improved defense up the middle and we should be able to sign him for no more than 3 years, $15. We could put Abreu on the block, giving us a nice trade piece to go along with Ethier or LaRoche and get us the pitcher we need without having to give up much more at all, if any.

ceyheyjay:

One more thing. As for as replacing Kent, I'm not completely sold on Abreu, and I doubt management is either. I also don't like the idea of replacing one bad defender with one that might be worse (if that's possible).
So, I'm thinking about signing Iguchi (sp). He's not the power threat Kent is, but he's a nice productive hitter.

The bottom line is this. Kent is far, far, far from the power hitter we need in the middle of the line-up any way. And with Kemp, Loney and Martin, we have our middle of the order, besides the one power hitter we need (which Kent ain't). So, where is Kent going to hit? Fifth instead of Kemp, Loney or Martin? That's the kind of thinking that screwed us this year. So, will Kent hit 7th? Yea, right. He'd rather sniff a tin of Barry Bonds' bacne than hit lower than 5th. His ego would never allow such.

So, if we have to add a power bat to the middle of the line-up, it means Kent would likely be asked to hit somewhere he wouldn't want to any way.

Furcal SS
Pierre CF
Kemp RF
Power Bat 3B/LF
Loney 1B
Martin C
Ethier/LaRoche LF/3B
Iguchi 2B

Think about it. Iguchi gives us improved defense up the middle and we should be able to sign him for no more than 3 years, $15. We could put Abreu on the block, giving us a nice trade piece to go along with Ethier or LaRoche and get us the pitcher we need without having to give up much more at all, if any.

Abreu a bad glove...where did you hear that? Abreu is considered a very good defensive second baseman with excellent range and arm. Now, Delwyn Young is the one with defensive issues (iron hands, average range). The problem we have with Abreu is that he has played very little at second base and more at positions he is not as good at (short and third). I can think of one second baseman who will be available, but he has some issues - Kaz Matsui. His glove is very good, he has speed and he shows a decent bat. Plus, he is a free agent.

[quote][cite] grabarkewitz:[/cite][quote][cite] ceyheyjay:[/cite]One more thing. As for as replacing Kent, I'm not completely sold on Abreu, and I doubt management is either. I also don't like the idea of replacing one bad defender with one that might be worse (if that's possible).
So, I'm thinking about signing Iguchi (sp). He's not the power threat Kent is, but he's a nice productive hitter.

The bottom line is this. Kent is far, far, far from the power hitter we need in the middle of the line-up any way. And with Kemp, Loney and Martin, we have our middle of the order, besides the one power hitter we need (which Kent ain't). So, where is Kent going to hit? Fifth instead of Kemp, Loney or Martin? That's the kind of thinking that screwed us this year. So, will Kent hit 7th? Yea, right. He'd rather sniff a tin of Barry Bonds' bacne than hit lower than 5th. His ego would never allow such.

So, if we have to add a power bat to the middle of the line-up, it means Kent would likely be asked to hit somewhere he wouldn't want to any way.

Furcal SS
Pierre CF
Kemp RF
Power Bat 3B/LF
Loney 1B
Martin C
Ethier/LaRoche LF/3B
Iguchi 2B

Think about it. Iguchi gives us improved defense up the middle and we should be able to sign him for no more than 3 years, $15. We could put Abreu on the block, giving us a nice trade piece to go along with Ethier or LaRoche and get us the pitcher we need without having to give up much more at all, if any.[/quote]

Abreu a bad glove...where did you hear that? Abreu is considered a very good defensive second baseman with excellent range and arm. Now, Delwyn Young is the one with defensive issues (iron hands, average range). The problem we have with Abreu is that he has played very little at second base and more at positions he is not as good at (short and third). I can think of one second baseman who will be available, but he has some issues - Kaz Matsui. His glove is very good, he has speed and he shows a decent bat. Plus, he is a free agent.[/quote]

Delwyn Young was who I was referring to when I mentioned the bad glove; I wasn't clear at all. My point was that I'm not sold on Abreu overall, and while I love Young's bat, I don't want to replace one poor defensive 2B (Kent) with another (Young).

Are we really talking about replacing Kent (.302 20, 79) with Iguchi (.267 9,43) and claiming that it's an improvement? Look, Kent may be a total red-ass, but read Gurnicks latest piece and what he says about Kemp. Matt Kemp made an impact, too, although not all of it was good. He looked like he needed a GPS the way he sometimes ran the bases, his fundamentals were lacking and his cocky clubhouse attitude put off pretty much every veteran Doesn't sound like Kent was the only one with a problem with the kid. Now if we have to choose sides, I'm with the kids, but I can imagine if Drysdale/Gibson or Campy were on the team and some kid came up with a huge cocky attitude, you know he would be knocked down a notch or two. I disagree with how Kent went about it, but I can easily understand the frustration. Think about your line of work, you've been there for years and some kid comes in like his sh*t doesn't stink. That would sure piss you off wouldn't it?

Back to the topic at hand, if Kent does go we're gonna have some tough decisions to make. I thought about Roberts(BAL) also, but how many top of the lineup guys can we really have? I like Hudson, I think he'd be a great generation gap between the older guys and the kids. It doesn't hurt that he's also black, which would allow him to talk to Kemp about how to carry himself without sounding like an old cranky white guy. While he is another top of the order hitter, I doubt he would get Roberts $, and we wouldn't have to give up anyone to get him. Other than Hudson, I'd say give Abreu or Young the job, Iguchi was headed for Japan before he was traded, I have no desire for a streaky no power #8 hitter.

TBoneShelby:

Are we really talking about replacing Kent (.302 20, 79) with Iguchi (.267 9,43) and claiming that it's an improvement? Look, Kent may be a total red-ass, but read Gurnicks latest piece and what he says about Kemp. Matt Kemp made an impact, too, although not all of it was good. He looked like he needed a GPS the way he sometimes ran the bases, his fundamentals were lacking and his cocky clubhouse attitude put off pretty much every veteran Doesn't sound like Kent was the only one with a problem with the kid. Now if we have to choose sides, I'm with the kids, but I can imagine if Drysdale/Gibson or Campy were on the team and some kid came up with a huge cocky attitude, you know he would be knocked down a notch or two. I disagree with how Kent went about it, but I can easily understand the frustration. Think about your line of work, you've been there for years and some kid comes in like his sh*t doesn't stink. That would sure piss you off wouldn't it?

First off, is this reliable or is it just another hack job trying to stir up more crap? If it can be counted reliable, here's the difference I see. The veterans in this clubhouse do not engender any respect from the kids. If we had a Drysdale/Gibson type that would command that kind of respect I believe the clubhouse would be a totally different place. If the kids had someone they could look to for leadership they probably would. We haven't heard all this trouble as the kids came through the minors, so I tend to err on the side of the kids. They aren't malcontents or prima donna's; Just young, exhuberant and a little full of themselves. Yes, that kind of cockiness, if it indeed does exist, needs to be knocked out of them. But really, who in the current clubhouse would command the kind of respect necessary to hold the kids attention and bring them down a notch? Kent sitting in the corner in his own little world? Gonzalez griping about playing time when he's producing like Billy Ashley? There is no one.

Here's a quesiton: If Martin felt comfortable enough to assume that position in the clubhouse, who here believes the other kids would not follow his leadership? If Russell were to get in their faces about their attitude, anyone think they'd just blow him off? We have some leadership in place, we just need to get rid of the strong negative influences and let the young leadership take its place.

Back to the topic at hand, if Kent does go we're gonna have some tough decisions to make. I thought about Roberts(BAL) also, but how many top of the lineup guys can we really have? I like Hudson, I think he'd be a great generation gap between the older guys and the kids. It doesn't hurt that he's also black, which would allow him to talk to Kemp about how to carry himself without sounding like an old cranky white guy. While he is another top of the order hitter, I doubt he would get Roberts $, and we wouldn't have to give up anyone to get him. Other than Hudson, I'd say give Abreu or Young the job, Iguchi was headed for Japan before he was traded, I have no desire for a streaky no power #8 hitter.

Hudson is not a free agent. He still has one more year of arbitration. The 'Super Two' rule that someone alluded to does not apply here. That rule allows players to get to arbitration a year earlier, but it does not allow them to bypass the six years of service time neccessary for free agency. Orlando Hudson is not an option.

Roberts I highly doubt would be available. And as another top of the order hitter, he doesn't really fit here. Iguchi needs to be ignored and allowed to go back home. And with Kaz Matsui the best free agent available, I think we may be wiser to look to upgrade in another area and go with what we have at 2B (should Kent retire or be sent elsewhere).

As some of you l know I have season tickets at Dodger Stadium. The only games I missed this year were two when I had to take a business trip to Toronto. I regretted missing Jackie Robinson's Day but I had to leave Sunday morning. While in Toronto I caught a Blue Jay game against the Red Sox at night. Anyway, whenever I can uring the season I try to get to the stadium early to watch BP, walk around the stadium saying hi to employees and fans that I gotten to know thru the years.

I have attended the WIN (Women Initiative Network) Women's baseball clinics at the stadium that Jeff Kent has hosted since this was started three years ago. Another one of the WIN events has been the WIN Kids baseball clinic. I wish that someone from the media had attended any of those events to see that Kent is not the grouch that they make him to be. He has hosted those events and recruited other Dodgers to help with the events. One of those Dodger helping at the Women Initiative Network last year event was Derek Lowe. That year Derek was going thru his problems but there he was teaching us how to grip a baseball and the difference between pitches. He seemed kind of shy that day but friendly and helpful. Kent on the other hand was always friendly and gregarious.

I've seen Kent signing autographs for kids a lot. The same thing for Nomah who after he does his stretches he would go against the rail and sign for kids. My only complain with those two is that they signed mainly for kids. We adults are also kids! Still, I did get a ball signed by Kent in the Summer when I told him I had him in my baseball fantasy team and he was not playing that day. I also have a ball signed by Derek and also two balls that he threw in my direction _ once when I was watching him throw his in between practices in the bullpen and another one last year when I was in SF and I yelled his name when he came out of the bullpen (note that I am old enough to be Lowe's mom).

The games that I have been at the stadium, I noticed that Lowe eventhough he comes out of games losing after pitching well with no run support, he comes out with his arm wrapped up to cheer for his teammates. He has never made a bad comment during those games that he did not get no run support. I remember one comment he made where he said "that is the beauty of being me, I'll forget about this game".

Nomar. His interviews on the Dodger flag station have always included praises for his teammates. Of course we did not see many of these interviews this year but the ones that I heared ( I do carry my radio to the stadium) have always been "I am so proud of my teammates", He seemed like he would always divert the attention to the work done as a team. He has hosted "Nomar Carne Asada day" at the stadium posing for pictures with fans. He attended those events with Mia and this year with his twins.

Kent. Last week when he was signing for a lot of kids, and I got close I overheard him tell a kid that was walking away with his ball signed, "what are you supposed to say". His father told him to say thank you so the kid turned around and said it. All parents should teach their kids to say that.

I heard that last week there was a close door meeting where Kent and others addressed the team (this was after Kent spoke out to the media). As far as I know nothing was leaked out of the meeting and that is the way it should be. Kent should have known that the media would just extract what they wanted from his interview 'cause contraversary is what sells. In both his interview and "in my own words" he says "We have a set of good young kids here"

D.Lowe. I know he gets a bad wrap for his divorce and none of us know their personal problems. We only know what we read on the papers about his divorce. What I like he did not bad mouth his ex and when asked about that affair she was having (not sure if she still with him) with that married soccer player. At least I have never heard him say anything bad about her but I could be wrong. I do have seen Carolyn at the stadium with Derek's younger kids. Derek's older kid looks just like him. I've seen them at the stadium playing catch. When I was in SF for the 9/8/07 Saturday game, I saw both of them (D.Lowe and Carolyn) so they have been together for what 2+ years now, I know she has worked with him for the Dodgers Dream Foundation. Derek took over the Bowling event that Eric Gagne used to host. Derek also won the Roberto Clemente award this year for his charity contributions.

BTW, that Saturday night that I was in San Francisco, I ran into some Dodger players mostly kids at this whole in the wall bar. We (my brother and another season ticket holder) ended up there looking for a place to watch some sports. We left the place only because my friend Eric was getting hungry and they do not serve food there. Just before we left, two more Dodger players came in. After we lost the following day (Sunday), my brother was saying "They had no business being there". yeah, I was saying the same thing 'cause it was heartbraking having lost those two games in San Francisco. At least we attended the one that they won and we sang "I LOVE L.A." at the end with other Dodger fans joining us in the singing.

Also, I ran into Eithier Saturday morning, He is so cute!!! I have seen him many times at the stadium in uniform but that is the first time I see him in regular clothes. I also had a long chat with Lasorda who was very friendly and candid. I run into him at the stadium and he has also made appearances at the WIN baseball clinics.

Let me say also that I love the kids, especially Russell (have a picture of him and I as my background picture on my phone). Jonathan who I still see arranging the furniture in the bullpen prior to the game. I heard someone telling him "You don't have to do that anymore", He seems so shy. I think I embarrassed him on his birthday (June) when I told the crowd around when he was signing autographs to sing with me "happy birthdays". I also love Kemp, Loney and Either. If Etheir does not get traded, I hope that he works on his running. For a 25 year old guy, tall and thin, he should run faster.

One more thing, I was talking with this employee from Dodger stadium. . I recoginzed her as one that was helping out when I took the stadium tour in the offseason. I overheard her telling someone "I'll tell you who is friendly everytime he comes to the office, "Louis Gonzales" She said some players when they go to the office, they just look straight ahead not greeting anyone. I missed her hearing the name so I had to ask her "who is friendly?" Luis Gonzales she said.

Ok, having supported Kent and D.Lowe, if they can get traded and net us something better, I am all for it. I will just say "thank you" for your contributions to the team. It has been too long since I have celebrated at the stadium. One lone game when Lima was around does not cut it. I remember 1988 and 1981 but that was too long ago.

crzblue:

I heard that last week there was a close door meeting where Kent and others addressed the team (this was after Kent spoke out to the media). As far as I know nothing was leaked out of the meeting and that is the way it should be. Kent should have known that the media would just extract what they wanted from his interview 'cause contraversary is what sells. In both his interview and "in my own words" he says "We have a set of good young kids here"

Say it ain't so, CRZ!

Now you've done it. Now you've gone and suggested that fans might never get the satisfaction of knowing what was said behind closed doors. You've reminded them that he's said more positive things about the kids than negative things in the media.

Now you've done it. Now fans may have to rethink their position on what's happening in the clubhouse. Oh, how they will wish the Dodgers would air all this publicly, so they could KNOW. How dare he! How dare Jeff Kent speak ill of the precious kid-Dodgers, then have the audacity to make up with them behind OUR backs!!! Say it ain't so!!!

Oh, no!!! This means Kent might want to retire a DODGER after all! What shall we do? We were all set to replace him with Aaron Miles!!! What if we actually catch Kent smiling at Jimmy Baseball in the spring? What if Bison and Kent sit next to each other in the dugout??? My world is crumbling! If we sign A-Rod, that means we'd have the best offense in the National League!!!

Say it ain't so, CRZ!!! Say it ain't SO!

As soon as I hit "add comments" to the post (below, re-written), the board crashed. I take all the blame.

Can you imagine having the PROTECTION in the following possible lineup for 2008?

Furcal (s)
Pierre (l)
Kemp (r)
A-Rod (r)
Loney (l)
Kent (r)
Ethier (l)
Martin (r)

Did I just put Martin in the 8-hole??? Yes, I did. That's better than the Rox (2 holes). Better than the Mess (2 holes). It's the best offensive attack in the NL.

Now, for those of you not willing to have Kent and the kids work out their clubhouse differences, here's your possible lineup:

Furcal
Pierre
Kemp
A-Rod
Loney
Martin
Ethier
.280/10/60 (if we're lucky)

I'll take door #1, Bob.