(Bob here, although Jon wrote the headline)
Back in 1988, I spent much of the baseball season living up in Berkeley, where I was attending library school. [No we didn’t have a class in shushing. That was for the doctoral candidates.] By the time I was done with my studies and moved back home, baseball season was nearly over.
On the Saturday before I started worked at my first ever fulltime job, I went to go see the Dodgers penultimate game of the year. The Dodgers beat the Giants 2-1 in a brisk 2:09.
Tim Belcher started for the Dodgers and went five innings before being pulled to give Fernando Valenzuela, who was recovering from a shoulder injury, four innings of work. Fernando gave up one unearned run in four innings and got the save.
I sat way up in the top deck and I recall it being a fairly hot day with some nasty air quality. I was showing off Dodger Stadium for the first time to a friend from Berkeley and he couldn’t see why the place was so special. There was a lone Giants fan behind me who chanted “OOOH-RE-BAY” nearly the ENTIRE GAME. (Jose Uribe went 0 for 3 in the game.)
But, I digress. I felt somewhat sad that Valenzuela, the Dodgers biggest star of the 1980s, had been shunted to the sidelines for the upcoming playoff run. Orel Hershiser and Kirk Gibson were the big stories. Fernando wasn’t the story of 1988, but he had been the story of 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1985, pretty much all the other times the Dodgers made the playoffs or came close. But not in 1988.
This leads me to think of the rehabbing Matt Kemp in Glendale. Kemp, who was derided by the media and fans for underachieving and/or having “bad attitude” from 2006-2010, only to have his reputation rehabilitated with his tremendous 2011, has been hurt much of this season (and last season too). He toils away in relative anonymity at Saddleback Cadillac Camelback Ranch (you know, the place in Arizona with the thing). And, for many fans, Kemp is now ready to be tossed to the side.
No one knows for sure if Kemp will even make it back up to the major league roster in the last three weeks of the season. Maybe he will get to make some token appearances in the Dodgers final two series, just like Fernando did in 1988. Or maybe we will just have to wait until 2014. Or face a long term future of: Andre Ethier, centerfielder. How many teams in the majors would be better off with a healthy Matt Kemp in the outfield? All of them.
KT
Go BLUE!!!!
Bumsrap
I am pulling for Kemp to make it back this year. This weekend was supposed to be the time where enough was known about his hamstring to take a guess when he would be back. Has anybody heard how Kemp’s weekend went?
KT
Actually BT it’s Camelback ranch
btimmer
I am glad I didn’t call it Cadillac Ranch.
btimmer
The Reds can move into 2nd with a win tonight. After picking up win 81, the Pirates have lost 4 in a row.
KT
well we are going have to help the Buco’s
John_from_Aus
well lets make sure they don’t !
KT
Dbags lose magic number 10
btimmer
If the Dodgers win tonight, they will eliminate the Giants from the NL West race
4d3fect
Agree, the prospect of Kemp being tossed on the scrapheap is very depressing.
btimmer
To put in perspective if tonight’s game goes Cincinnati’s way, the Braves were swept in a 3-game series in Philadelphia. And the Phillies, as we know, are just giving away players.
ASW1
Yes, thank-you – a lull in early September isn’t the end of the season to be sure.
btimmer
Tomorrow is also a Hello Kitty Bobblehead giveaway. They won last year’s 8-3. They won a Hello Kitty doll giveaway in 2011 by a 15-1 margin. They did lose a Hello Kitty blanket giveaway against the Padres this year. The key is to give out a roundish Hello Kitty, not a flat one.
btimmer
Immovable object vs irresistible force time
4d3fect
As soon as K picked Shoo off, he regained his concentration and dropped two killer curves there. Nice.
4d3fect
Youch.
Jack Dawkins
That one won’t require replay next year.
btimmer
Barry Larkin is making miss Curt Schilling. And Curt Schilling makes me miss food poisoning.
Jack Dawkins
We have had our last Collins/.Lyons game. Vin the rest of the way barring network games like this.
scooplew
I thought we were done with Cincinnati middle infielders who made the Hall of Fame and who are, at best, problematical as announcers.
WBBsAs
Well, Bob, we were in Berkeley simultaneously, as I was a doctoral candidate (received my Ph.D that year).
btimmer
I was the very thin guy. In grad school, I was 6’5″, 170.
The latter number has gone up.
KT
DP Time
scooplew
Should we be concerned, or is this just a small bump in the road?
KT
no balk…should be two outs
scooplew
Thanks. I didn’t see it. It sounds like he picked someone off and a balk was called instead.
RBI
Yup. Bad call.
scooplew
Got it. Thanks.
Jack Dawkins
The annoncers even say it wasn’t a balk. So whould be 2 outs and 1st only. And that hit barely made it through.
RBI
Anyone else see that horrible balk call? Jeeze!
RBI
Clayton is a little off, but probably also mad. He needs to take a deep breath.
RBI
Really need a DP here.
John_from_Aus
This is so unlike Kersh, I don’t remember his last balk or him hitting a batter
Jack Dawkins
In the silver lining department, Bailey spent the whole inning out on the base paths.
John_from_Aus
whew, now its time for the bats to wake up
RBI
Or that. Clayton has so much heart.
btimmer
If Brandon Phillips and Joey Votto were on the Dodgers would the average Dodgers fan be as clueless as the average Reds fan as to their respective value? Would Don Mattingly value Phillips more than Votto?
KT
Gonzo!
Jack Dawkins
Finally less interesting.
RBI
Gonzo! Yes!
KT
Hanley!!
RBI
Got the run back!
Jack Dawkins
Larkin goes to the well and bestows “professional hitting” upon Gonzo.
scooplew
I you use that term, you should also be required to use “amateur hitting” an equal number of times.
WinnipegDave
Just tuning in. The mistake the Reds made? Hitting an early HR to take the lead. At least, that was the Dodgers undoing in the first 2 games of this series.
Jack Dawkins
Wonder if Hanley was getting used to the idea of outfielders missing the cut off man.
btimmer
Hanley was likely giving himself up to make sure Gonzalez scored.
RBI
Certainly looked like that.
WinnipegDave
Ugh.
RBI
Man. Bruce is hammering Kershaw.
btimmer
Orel Hershiser assumed that Dusty Baker is from the South. I suppose Riverside is the South.
Bob_Hendley
Must be the toothpick.
btimmer
I believe Barry Larkin has made the point about swinging early in the count approximately 20 times so far.
RBI
Larkin is driving me nuts.
John_from_Aus
At least they were only both solo shots
RBI
Do these guys ever stop blathering? There is a game going on, right?
John_from_Aus
Nice AJ
RBI
About to turn off the sound and listen to the radio. There’s a GAME happening, guys!
scooplew
I turned off the sound and the game isn’t on radio where I am.
btimmer
Now Larkin has confused his Ellisii.
Jack Dawkins
Larkin now informs us that “It is a marathon, not a sprint.” We should have made cliche bingo cards for tonight.
KT
CC!!
KT
Come on Gonzo
RBI
Two on, one out. Let’s go, Blue!
btimmer
“Up jumps the devil.”
scooplew
I think they could have turned three on that ground ball.
RBI
According to Larkin, “As tough an at bat as Homer Bailey has faced in his big league career.” Really?
scooplew
Pretty short career then.
RBI
Just saw that the D-backs lost.
Bob_in_Vegas
Best news I’ve read all day.
RBI
Strike 5!
scooplew
OK, guys, let’s win one for the ace.
btimmer
It’s too bad that John Kruk got sick a couple weeks ago. Because he is a lot better than Larkin.
Bob_Hendley
Sad, but true.
Bob_Hendley
Hanley baby!
KT
HANLEY!!!!
scooplew
Hanley is remarkable. How long is he signed for?
Bob_Hendley
FA in 2015.
KT
they are already talking about an extension
Bob_in_Vegas
smart move — it’s always nice to know you’re appreciated and HAnley is DEFINITELY appreciated!
btimmer
Dear Barry Larkin,
Andre Ethier won’t sacrifice.
btimmer
Andre Ethier has one career sacrifice. It was in 2008. In a game the Dodgers won 13-1. http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/FLO/FLO200804300.shtml
KT
AJ!
KT
Help yourself Clayton
Spence
87 pitches for Kershaw I think I’d pinch hit for him with Michael Young.
scooplew
A day in baseball history (Nov. 24, 2005): The Boston Red Sox traded Hanley Ramirez, Jesus Delgado, Harvey Garcia and Anibal Sanchez to the Florida Marlins for Josh Beckett, Mike Lowell and Guillermo Mota.
Bob_in_Vegas
If Hanley & Bruce were both sitting down, this would be a scoreless game.
KT
DP Time
scooplew
How many batters has Kershaw lost tonight after getting ahead of them 0-and-2?
RBI
Wow, great sequence, Clay!
btimmer
Shin-Shoo Choo has tied Jason LaRue’s Reds record for HBPs in a season with 24.
KT
3 outs
KT
Let’s get some runs…get on CC
RBI
Speaking of remarkable…
btimmer
So, why was Neftali Soto pinch hitting for Bailey? The Reds actually have players with some noticeable MLB level hitting skill on the bench.
Linkmeister
Dusty Baker manages the Reds.
foul tip
Well. I’ve been able to watch only 3 segments of about 30 seconds each so far, which I hope to improve upon.
–First one was just in time to see Bruce’s first HR.
–Second one was just in time to see him cross home plate after his second.
–Third was just in time to see Clayton get out of last inning, holding a dangerous team to two runs on what was an obvious off night for him.
Maybe I’ve reversed a trend and established a new one…
Bob_in_Vegas
Avoided that walk!
KT
Nice Chris
Bob_in_Vegas
Get the K!
RBI
One more…
Bob_in_Vegas
Chris! Now get W the W!
RBI
Time for some runs.
Bob_in_Vegas
I’m hoping for at least one!
RBI
102?!?!!
ASW1
Hard to lay off that eye-high fastball, apparently.
RBI
wow
Bob_in_Vegas
I know this guy is good, but he’s not the only pitcher the Dodgers have faced lately.
Can the front office put the Dodger bats on some milk cartons so they can be found before the postseason . . . so there can actually BE a postseason?
RBI
Sorry,but I have to disagree. At least as far as Chapman goes.
Bob_in_Vegas
I conceded he’s good . . . probably great. But he wouldn’t have faced them if the bats had done their job. And there’s also the Boston series.
ASW1
Bailey is no slouch – over his last 4 games before this one he had a 1.25 ERA
RBI
Ah, I see what you meant. Misread.
Bob_in_Vegas
Or I miswrote. :)
ASW1
That’s as dominating as it gets.
scooplew
Ethier is 0-for-18 in his career, including tonight, vs. Bailey.
TAFKA_Gagne55
I think Jansen should get the ninth inning regardless of whether the Dodgers score. He’s suddenly underworked. Plus if it is a quick inning he can be stretched for two.
ASW1
In the understatement category : Reds have been very impressive this series.
RBI
True that.
RBI
Well darn. Glad the Braves have lost four in a row as well!
Spence
Swept! Eeek
ASW1
Two walkoffs in a row – now Dodgers get to go home and get healthy against the NL West – and have this series bothering them in the backs of their minds.
ASW1
Well – looks like Reds fans know to bring brooms to the ballpark for the 3rd game of a series when your team has a chance to sweep – good for them.
John_from_Aus
Deja vu
John_from_Aus
At least the Braves have their own 4 game losing streak going
scooplew
Most losses this season, Dodger pitchers:
Kershaw, 8
Belisario and Capuano, 7 each
Beckett and Ryu, 5 each
TAFKA_Gagne55
I’m sick of the no closet in a tie game on the road philosophy. Jansen hasn’t pitched in six days now.
Bob_in_Vegas
Agree . . . but if you don’t score, it’s just a tie. And if not for Hanley, these wouldn’t have been 1-run games.
Spence
Yep. Its like your managing for a meaningless individual stat at the expense of the team. Someday there will be an organization that does not have defined ‘roles’ or labels and they’ll have their manager just dispence relievers whenever they see fit
TAFKA_Gagne55
*closer. stupid autocorrect.
Bob_in_Vegas
the Dodger closer was in the closet
ASW1
Even a half-way-decent throw by Hanley on the relay and the winning run is out at home by 6 feet.
foul tip
Game day says Chapman threw 10 pitches, 9 strikes. Two at 99, two at 102, rest at 101.
G-day also says Homer Bailey threw numerous knuckle curves. Does G-day know what it’s talking about? And how could it know the difference between a knuckle curve and an ordinary one?
Spence
KT just abandons threads when the Dodgers lose. One can usually tell if the Dodgers are winning or have won by the frequency of his postings.
WBBsAs
So?
RBI
Didn’t we gain a game?
ASW1
Magic # now 10
ASW1
I honestly have no problem giving the opposition props when they earn it – Redlegs outplayed the Dodgers in every game, hence the sweep – you go into GAB and score 2,3,and 2 runs you’re asking to get swept. Dodgers pitching was fine for the most part – the hitting was lacking and a lot of that can be chalked up to great Cincy pitching.
Right now, at this moment in time, I’d rather not face Cincy in the playoffs – pitching-wise, St. Loo or Pitt would be a more favorable matchup for the Dodgers. Of course, this may change over the last few weeks of the season, but Cincy was the proverbial buzzsaw in this series.
RBI
Going to the game tomorrow. I’m hoping for a win. Also an understatement, ASW1.
btimmer
NPUT