Scene from Wednesday. © Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers 2012
Haven’t done a links post in a while … so let’s catch up.
- Nathan Eovaldi is headed to Los Angeles, but we don’t know yet whom he is replacing on the roster, writes Eric Stephen of True Blue L.A.
- The move is interesting in part because Todd Coffey and Ronald Belisario have begun their minor-league rehab outings, reports Ken Gurnick of MLB.com. Coffey can be activated Sunday, Belisario a week from today.
- As Magic Johnson prepares to officially become a Dodger co-owner, Michael Jordan’s 7-59 Charlotte Bobcats wrapped up the worst winning percentage for a team in NBA history, .106.
- J.P Hoonstra of the Daily News got a first-hand look at Dodger pitching prospect Zach Lee at Rancho Cucamonga, where the pitching coach is none other than Matt Herges.
- Guest-posting at Mike Scioscia’s Tragic Illness, Christopher Jackson offers a position-by-position update on the Albuquerque Isotopes. My favorite note: Luis Cruz’s “imitation of teammate Trent Oeltjen’s Australian accent is a sight to behold.”
- ThinkBlueL.A. has expanded from a forum into a full-fledged blog, led by friend of Dodger Thoughts and fellow Bluetopia co-star Ron Cervenka. Evan Bladh of Opinion of Kingman’s Performance is also contributing.
- ESPNLosAngeles.com had an interesting way of summing up Albert Pujols’ trials in a headline: “James Loney Has 1 HR.”
- Eno Sarris’ interview at Fangraphs with Stanford baseball “dean of stats” Dean Stotz is interesting. Sample: “Fifty percent of the time, the hitters take the first pitch. Twenty-six percent of the time, they hit it foul. Twenty-four percent of the time they put it in play —- and only 33% of those balls are hits. That means —- if you throw a first-pitch strike —- 92% of the time, you’ll get an out or an 0-1 count.”
- Jackie Robinson movie 42 is set to be released April 12, three days before the next Jackie Robinson Day, reports Dave McNary of Variety.
- As part of his 30 baseball books in 30 days series, Tom Hoffarth of the Daily News reviews Willie Mays Aikens: Safe at Home.
- For my TV-viewing friends, this post by Mitch Metcalf of Showbuzz Daily might be of interest: “What Does a Tenth of a Rating Point Really Mean?”
- Chess boxing? Chess boxing???
Anonymous
If Eovaldi falls into the stands and I catch him, do I have to give him to a child?
Anonymous
“Fifty percent of the time, the hitters take the first pitch. Twenty-six percent of the time, they hit it foul. Twenty-four percent of the time they put it in play —- and only 33% of those balls are hits. That means —- if you throw a first-pitch strike —- 92% of the time, you’ll get an out or an 0-1 count.”
What about the hitters who swing and miss?
Jon Weisman
I don’t know. Maybe it’s included in the 50%.
Anonymous
Or the 24%. Both of those numbers seem pretty high. But Nomar isn’t playing any longer, so maybe it’s true.
KT
that would result in a 0-1 count, strike 1 ^_^
underdog
We are the 92%! Occupy home plate!
Anonymous
My 2 cents on the foul ball debate.
If a grown man needs a foul ball to enjoy their experience at the ballpark, then I think they have some growing up to do. Would it be cool to take home a ball from the game? Of course. But would you really feel good about yourself that you had to do it at the expense of a crying child? It’s like sitting down in a seat on the bus or subway when a women or an older person comes on board. Sure you had a long day and you’re tired and could use the seat, but would you not give up your seat for them?Act like a man and give up the ball or seat
Jon Weisman
“If a grown man needs a foul ball to enjoy their experience at the ballpark, then I think they have some growing up to do.”
Faulty premise to begin with. No one has come close to saying a grown man needs a foul ball to enjoy the ballpark experience.
“would you really feel good about yourself that you had to do it at the expense of a crying child?”
No, which is why my dad would ultimately give up the ball. That’s not the question on the table.
Anonymous
As a father of 3 young children, I think I’m somewhat desensitized to crying children. A child may cry because they did not get a foul ball, but they would just as easilty cry due to not getting cotton candy. I don’t think crying is a good reason for giving a child what they want.
Anonymous
I didn’t mean to imply with my comment anything about your dad. I was just talking about older guys in general.
Jon Weisman
Understood, but whether speaking generally or specifically, I just think the comment is setting up a false straw man argument.
Anonymous
Just in case you west coast guys didn’t see this article in the NY Times, I thought it was a pretty good one.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/27/us/for-the-love-of-the-technology-san-francisco-is-reinventing-baseball-again.html?ref=sports
Wonder how the Dodgers are keeping up with the technological times
Anonymous
RIP Moose Skowron. His career as a Dodger was not great, one poor season in 1963, but he homered for the Dodgers against the Yankees in the World Series sweep.
Jon Weisman
Oh, sad.
underdog
Aw. My dad (being a Yankee fan since childhood) always talked about him. One of those late 80s baseball computer games we used to play together had a 60s Yankees team as an option, which he always played. Loved that guy.
DXMachina
That’s a shame. I heard Moose speak as a guest on sports talk radio several times over the years, and he was a terrific story teller. RIP.
underdog
So we still don’t know roster move for Eovaldi? Strange. Either Antonini is going back down, or someone’s getting DL’d. Or PhantomDL’d. Or not-so-phantom DFA’d.
Ramon
Off topic, but worthy of mentioning here… In a twist of irony, the law firm representing McCourt in banktruptcy court is rumored to be filing for bk protection itself as early as next week. The legal press is all over it.
Anonymous
Skowron, like current Dodger Josh Lindblom, attended Purdue. His nickname didn’t refer to his size, but rather for once sporting a haircut that made him look a certain Italian fascist dictator.
Jeffrey Thomas III
Soooo Bryce Harper is getting called up with Zimmerman going to the DL and is set to make his MLB debut this weekend at Dodgers Stadium…. interesting.
Last I read he wasn’t doing too great in the minors this season, in fact here was the last update from Rotowire I read on ESPN fantasy baseball:
“He’s still scuffling so far, hitting just .234/.300/.375, but he’s had slow starts before when breaking in at a new level and it’s probably only a matter of time before the offensive floodgates open. Don’t expect to see him in the majors any time soon, however.”
Jon Weisman
Eovaldi callup official, Antonini sent back to AAA
Anonymous
Dodgers counter.
Anonymous
Is there actually somebody out there that actually enjoys the shreiking of Petros & Money?
Anonymous
I can’t listen to anyone who yells.
Jon Weisman
NPUT
Anonymous
Hopefully Vinny will mention mr Skowron tonight.