Three years ago, full of piss and vinegar, I took Dodger Thoughts from its idyllic home at Baseball Toaster to the Los Angeles Times. I wrote a farewell to the Toaster that evoked my excitement of moving to a bigger stage, on which I had long dreamed of performing. While I wondered what I was leaving behind, I was filled with confidence.
The journey that followed was better for me professionally than for Dodger Thoughts itself. While I was taken more seriously than ever for my work on the Dodgers, and (in a welcome relief) compensated for it, the site itself suffered. The commenting community, which I valued immeasurably, broke apart. Readers remained, but despite joining a mainstream site with wide reach, the page views for Dodger Thoughts did not rise. Commenters, by and large, had other places to go.
For several months in 2009, I was hoping that improvements could be made at the Times that would bring that community back, but they were neither sufficiently fast nor user-friendly. I value those who have stuck around and who have come anew, but essentially, that Toaster wonderland was gone.
By the time I moved two years ago to ESPN Los Angeles, I was left to focus on doing the best work I could, hoping to at least retain readers if not commenters. As far as my professional life, I dreamed big again.
Well, now I’m back on my own. For now, anyway. The reasons, I think I can say without being indecorous, relate to shifting priorities over there in the big city. So what are you gonna do?
Start over. Reboot. So here we are. I could be here for 10 days or 10,000. Still figuring that out. Still figuring a lot of things out. There’s still so much I dream of accomplishing, but my path is still around a bend or two. I’m eager to see what happens.
So, if you’ve made it this far, here to home No. 6 (four more to catch Tommy Davis), thanks for stopping by. I’ll do my best to provide informative, meaningful and fun posts as much as or more than ever before. Hope you hang out a while.
Note: The commenting system should be up and running Tuesday morning.
Ken Arneson
Ok, testing the new comment system from Disqus.
Ken Arneson
That worked, but the layout isn’t exactly beautiful.
Greg Hao
disqus will never be confused with being beautiful. But it is functional.
Ken Arneson
All right, I’m going to bed now. Will play with the layout of these comments sometime in the morning.
Anonymous
Good night, Ken.
Channa Coggan
Just dropping in from Israel to wish you a hearty Mazel Tov on your move.
Anonymous
I’ve been with you from the beginning, Jon; no sense stopping now. Keep up the great work and I’ll see you out at the Ravine.
PS: Love the graphics!
Anonymous
Looks like you nailed it, Ken. Good Job!
Anonymous
We done bugged out!
G B
We’ve come full circle in a way. I’m looking forward to the return of vibrant discussions as well.
Anonymous
dodger thoughts forever
DXMachina
Still reading DT after all these years, and hope to for many more. Thanks for all your hard work at keeping this going.
Anonymous
Can’t get rid of me that easily.
See?
Anonymous
Whoa, that’s just way cool. Signed in with Facebook under my real name, easy, no problem. Then registered as LBB, again, easy as pie. Very nice Jon.
Anonymous
You can run, but you can’t hide! Good luck, Jon, you’re already bookmarked and I’m looking forward to what’s to come.
Anonymous
Hello again …
Anonymous
Congratulations on the move. I hope everything works out to keep Dodger Thoughts as vibrant, respectful, and informative as ever.
Anonymous
Keep up the great work, Jon.
Anonymous
Victory in the Occupy ESPN movement Jon! I also almost have my toaster name back
Rob McMillin
So, I take it the Baseball Toaster has come back to life? Sort of?
Anonymous
This is more like it Jon. following you since about 2005
Anonymous
Well done Jon. Like everyone else, I look forward to many great conversations here about the Dodgers, baseball and life in general.
terry austin
So long, Worldwide Leader.
Now, let Corduroy Thoughts commence!
Anonymous
I didn’t see a link here, but also checked Facebook, saw you have a presence there, and “liked” the site. I’m relatively new to Facebook, but I find to my chagrin that it does send me to sites I might not otherwise get to in a given day.
Bob Bartholomew
Keep up the good work Jon!!
Anonymous
Best wishes on the move, Jon. I’ve really enjoyed your site since the days at the Toaster, and I’ve missed the feeling of community that existed there before you left.
Anonymous
Love the new site. Nice work, Jon!
Anonymous
:)
Anonymous
Do I get to post the first complaint? Actually just a suggestion… It gets annoying having to click on “Load more comments” after every 5 posts; Anyway to eliminate that?
Anonymous
It’s a work in progress still …
Joseph
Well, I can attach pictures of my dog, so that works
Rob McMillin
Dog pictures are of vital importance to the overall health of DT, and are Highly Approved.
Anonymous
I’m a sucker for any dog that wears antlers
Ken Arneson
5 posts per page is an incredibly stupid default, Disqus. Changed it 250.
Anonymous
Thanks
Anonymous
Test from mobile phone.
Steve Finson
Followed you for several years but never have commented. Just a note to say thank you for all your hard work, and that I am looking forward to seeing what the future holds for all us Dodger fans when our new owner takes the reins. Your stories are some of the most thoughtful out there, so the name of your site is very appropriate. Congratulations!
Paul Dylan
Been following Dodger Thoughts since 2003, thanks for all the great work you’ve done over the years, Jon. I look forward to the new Dodger Thoughts. I have to admit, your work was always great, but I wasn’t a fan of the espn format. Glad to see a toaster-like reincarnation.
Gary Scott
I’m going to try to make it more of my daily routine to drop in over here and see what dissenting opinions have to say.
Gary Scott
Success!
Gary Scott
Is there an app I should be getting so I can follow you on the cellular device?
Greg Hao
Jon, as always, my love for your content, both Dodgers and (increasingly more) the tidbits about you and your family, has led me to follow you here.
I can only ask that you don’t truncate the RSS feed! Cheers.
Anonymous
Hey Jon,
Still reading, rarely commenting. I have to admit I’m less intimidated by this format to comment.
Best of Luck. – Jason in Canada
benchristen
Dodger Thoughts is the best! I’ll follow wherever you go! Thanks for keeping me plugged in as a fan and I’m excited for the new site and the new ownership of the Dodgers. Thank You!
Joseph
Checking out the new digs
Joseph
Oh the ever serious Joseph is just your friendly neighborhood HJ – will follow you to hell and back Jon. Your writing soothes the savage beast
Phil Gurnee
i will follow you
where ever you will go
Joseph
you get a noble beast too Phil
Anonymous
Hey Jon. Like many here, I’ve followed you through the many versions of Dodger Thoughts since 2002-2003. I don’t comment very often, and I hope to change that, but you are probably my one everyday, go-to site that I visit. I can’t wait to see what the new site brings. Thanks for all of your work. It’s much appreciated! Best of luck with the new site.
Daniel Renneisen
Best of luck with the switch, Jon. I’ve followed you at every stop and am confident you will continue to produce great content.
Anonymous
If you walkaway, walkaway
I walkaway, walkaway…I will follow
I will follow
I will follow…
/U2
Eric Stephen
Classic Xeifrank pop culture reference.
Anonymous
Wait…you got a space (between first and last name). How is that accomplished?
Jim Hitchcock
Jon does all the heavy lifting, all we have to do is pack the receiver!
Anonymous
How did you get the space (between first and last name)?
Jim Hitchcock
Space bar :)
Dave Pomerantz
I found DodgerThoughts at ESPN, but I’ll definitely be following the new site. Best of luck, Jon!
Anonymous
Best of luck, Jon.
Michael Green
It doesn’t look beautiful but in a way it does. It’s Dodger Thoughts, standing alone, and it’s all ours. It’s good to be here, and good luck, Jon!
David Weiner
Welcome back to independence. I love your blog and look forward to many more years of Dodger discussions
Anonymous
So you are, or aren’t, merging with Magics group…
Anonymous
So excited Jon. This will be great!
Vinny Castilla
Doesn’t matter to me where you post, Jon. I always enjoy your work. Good luck.
Anonymous
Best o’ luck in the new digs! We’ll keep reading!
Anonymous
Congrats on the move, Jon (I think). I am one of the postings that you lost over the last three years. It certainly was not due to the content of the site, but I somehow did not find the conversations as stimulating as they were at the Toaster. Anyways, no matter where you go, I will be 2-3 of those page views and will hopefully get back in the conversation more.
Chris Anctil
I rarely comment but never fail to read what you write, Jon. I hope you enjoy the new digs, and I’m sure I’ll continue to enjoy your commentary
Anonymous
And … we’re back….
Dane Pereslete
Well, Bob’s here now so we can officially start the party!
I came in about the last two years of the Toaster. Now this place looks warm and inviting, so I’ll give it a try. Congratulations Jon on your good work. It is greatly appreciated during the bleak winter of our discontent…
Joseph
I love seeing the parade of names, old friends and new. LONG LIVE DT!!!
Anonymous
At one point, after reloading, the site said that it was showing 35 of 30 comments.
Anonymous
Feels like a new fielders glove. Now let’s break it in! Congrats Jon.
Eric Stephen
Jon and Ken, back together again!
Anonymous
I like the new digs. I even registered a disqus profile, which I’ve been resisting for quite some time.
Anonymous
I love the new site. Dodger Thoughts forever!
Anonymous
Good luck Jon! I’ll follow where ever you go. Really enjoy reading your posts, especially since I live in New York and don’t get to read about Dodger baseball in other news outlets.
Jim Hitchcock
Wake up, Ken! Numbered comments!
Robert Daeley
Entreat me not to leave you, or to turn back from following you; For
wherever you go, I will go; And wherever you blog, I will comment; Your
people shall be my people, and your Dodgers, my Dodgers.
(With apologies to Ruth. ;)
Thomas Beatty
Well, for what it’s worth I’m commenting for the first time since Baseball Toaster in order to wish you luck Jon, and to say that I will follow you wherever you go! Here’s to a new exciting eria for Dodgerthoughts and the Dodgers!
Anonymous
Always nice to start a new chapter.
Jim Hitchcock
One hour in and I’m already making demands. Sheesh!
On a somewhat sunnier note, why not set up a paypal acct. for annual blogathons?
Anonymous
Perhaps I’m just being nostalgic, and I should probably give the new format here a chance, but I think it would be great to resurrect the format from the Toaster. I liked having the numbered comments, and being able to use brackets to refer back to previous comments. I feel like it’s harder to have a cohesive discussion using the “reply” button.
Also, it would be fun to do a Toaster reunion game thread this season.
Anonymous
You don’t need numbered comments when you can reply directly to another comment, right?
Anonymous
I remember when the Toaster closed there was a post with the 100 most frequent commenters. Can we do a roll call to see who is still around, and what screen names people are using these days?
Joey E
i like this better than espn
hopefully it allows for more commenters because with espn you have to be a member to comment
Ken Arneson
Well, as usual, the comments look way better on a Mac than a PC.
OK, I’m going to be fiddling with it a bit. So if the comments turn pink or something, don’t panic.
Ken Arneson
As for Toaster-like numbered comments, I don’t think I can hack Disqus enough to make that happen. Using Disqus mostly to avoid the overhead of managing a new set of users and keeping spammers out.
underdog
Yeah I think it’s worth not having numbers in exchange for using Disqus, which is pretty smooth. Thanks!
Anonymous
Is there a way to maintain continuity with this “reply” system? For example, if you reply to an early comment, it seems unlikely that anybody will see it since it’s automatically buried under the newer comments.
underdog
Hit refresh and then comments are put in the right order (underneath)…? Hm, wait, this one appears under yours automatically. Maybe depends on browser and OS?
Anonymous
Still here, best wishes on continued success.
underdog
Great to see the ol’ DT graphic up there, and to have DT independent again. Studio interference can counteract all the studio support. Look forward to hanging here for the 2012 season!
Will you invite Bronx Banter folk and Mr. Cardboard Gods and all them for the grand opening party? :D
Anonymous
Jon and Ken,
Long time lurker. So great to be back. This already feels like home again.
Anonymous
Nice place ya got here. Toaster-esque even. Congrats on the move, sir. Looking forward to the great writing and conversations to come.
Josue Hurtado
Jon,
I’ve been reading your work since the Toaster days. I don’t post too often, but check in daily. I’m happy to follow you to your latest version of Dodgerthoughts. Keep up the good work and best of luck
Go Dodgers and go (Stanford) Cardinal!
Anonymous
Congratulations on the new home, Jon, and pulling for you in all things.
Jim Hitchcock
To Ghost_of _Carlos_Perez:
Annnnddd underdog was the number one Toaster commenter. Since then he’s gotten a life!
Anonymous
Do you have a link?
Jim Hitchcock
No, sorry. Ken Arneson posted it after the toaster went dormant.
Ken Arneson
The Toaster is dormant, but it’s not gone.
http://fairpole.baseballtoaster.com/archives/1204218.html#65
Jim Hitchcock
Thanks, Ken.
Anonymous
Thanks for posting that–looking over the list brings back some fond memories.
underdog
Whaaaaat? I was the the most prolific commenter? I don’t buy it! I know I was top 5 or 10 though. Which is still someone in need of a life, regardless. ;)
Jim Hitchcock
Ah, shoot, you only came in third. I elevated you to new heights.
Anonymous
If I offered some Dodger Thoughts T-shirts on Cafe Press, would there be any interest? I haven’t used them before.
Anonymous
I would wear it proudly.
Rock Well
Yes Please!
DXMachina
I’d buy that.
Anonymous
Yup.
Jim Hitchcock
You bet.
Anonymous
Absolutely. Also, check out customink.com. A great t-shirt making site. I’ve used them many times..great site, incredible customer service, good prices..
Jon Weisman
I’ll check it out. I’m concerned about the quality, sight unseen.
Anonymous
I’ll be honest, not sure how they stay in business with the quality they provide. Last time I used them for the top line tees, one color art, was around 6$ a piece for only 50. They also have no minimum which I found surprising. Good luck!
adamclyde
I made some shirts for work from customink.com. Came out great. Good quality tshirts… graphics worked really well. Totally happy…
Joseph
yes please,
Dane Pereslete
Yes, my old one is getting quite worn out. I could use a replacement
Anonymous
I’d buy one
Marty Barash
YES!
Michael
Good to be back at the toaster. I personally didn’t care for the ESPN thing. Thanks Jon
Anonymous
Congrats on the new digs, Jon. Nobody tell Colletti where we are – let’s hope he gets lost and just calls it quits.
Anonymous
Heck ya. My original D-Thoughts t-shirt is a bit of a disgrace at this point. I still wear it to ride my bike to work, but I don’t think it’s appropriate any more for fancy restaurants. Need a fresh one.
….
EDIT: Huh – that was supposed to be a reply to Jon’s query about Cafe Press. Didn’t end up in the right place.
Lamont is Hair
New to your work, looks like I will enjoy it as the season approaches and once the other big blue in my life wins us a superbowl!
Jason Ungar
Aloha Mr. Hand
Mr. LA Sports Fan
Good stuff, Jon!
Champ Kind
Jon, hopefully you realize that true Dodger fans will seek you out no matter where you land. And I hope to see even more informative, nuanced, and THOUGHTFUL analysis on a daily basis. Dodger fans are lucky to have you dude.
Anonymous
New ownership, new DT, let the season begin
Jon Weisman
Today in Jon SooHoo: Guzman, Broxton, Aybar, Martin, Kemp, Ethier in 2006 http://bit.ly/zzCdzF
Anonymous
Joel Guzman. There’s proof that not all highly regarded prospects pan out.
Anonymous
Keep up the great work Jon!
Anonymous
So far as I can tell, the comments do not refresh automatically.
Anonymous
F5’ing like the good ol days…
Jon Weisman
Test.
David Farinella
Does this mean my comments won’t end up on ESPN? Ha!
Good luck, Jon.
(This gives me the opportunity to change my screen name, which makes me very happy… Formerly bumpindonuts)
Anonymous
If you move it, we will come.
Jim Hitchcock
And you’ll forever be known as the fan with flaming red hair!
Anonymous
That is so 2002.
Jon Weisman
New post up top.
Daniel Paul
No matter where you go I will follow!
Anonymous
I like it!
carlm
For various reasons I never recovered from the death of the baseball toaster. I hope this season to visit Dodger Thoughts a little more frequently.
Anonymous
Best of luck in the new locale and continued thanks for all of the great content you provide.
Anonymous
My earlier post did not go through…Good luck with the new endeavor and I hope to be more frequent with my comments on the new site…
Anonymous
I discovered Dodger Thoughts when it moved to latimes.com and have been a daily reader ever since. Best of luck with the move Jon.
Anonymous
Looking forward to pure, unadulterated Dodger stuff. No more of that glitzy espn nonsense.
Patrick O'Connor
You da man, Jon. Follow you anywhere.
Andrew Shimmin
Feels like home.
Anonymous
I, too, haven’t posted since you left the toaster before, but here I am. Thanks, Jon, and glad to be here with you guys, and yes, I’d buy another t-shirt. Last time I wore it to a game, guess who I met? Ummm, that would be you. (And your wife, in her matching dodgerthoughts t-shirt).
Jon Weisman
Always nice to meet a customer :)
William Crain
Very,very cool
Already I’ve been LATed.
Anonymous
I’ve been a long-time lurker. Thanks, Jon, for all the work and passion you put into this site. I will definitely make sure i check in everyday and try to comment more
Anonymous
Oh, and thanks to Ken also
Anonymous
Not too bad for your first day with the new site, Jon!
Lucas Bauer
Hey Jon! Started following your blog daily when it was on the LA Times website, then made the switch to ESPN LA. Glad to see you are continuing the blog here. Will definitely continue to follow (and hopefully comment more)..
Thanks again and I wish you the best of luck!
Daniel Zappala
Awesome. I may actually come back!
David
Wow! This is Awesome! I wish you the best of everything Jon. Yes to t-shirts. I bought a long-sleeved one before, and one of the arms actually was so worn it came off in the washing machine about a year ago.
I guess my one regret with this move is that LAT couldn’t be the first to get “LATed” here.
Ken, thanks for your part in this as well.
I got a lot of enjoyment just looking through these comments and seeing a bunch of names that I have not seen in years. I guess many of you were commenting but under different names because of the site.
Thanks guys! This is going to be a fun place.
Anonymous
Glade your doing OK and I look forward to following your new site
Anonymous
Glade to see your a survivor, will be following you every day. BTW, is Tony Jackson moving on as well ?
Jon Weisman
Tony will still be there. I’m the only ESPNLA castoff that I know of at this point.
adamclyde
Jon, great stuff. I know there’s a NPUT, but I’m commenting on this thread as it’s more relevant for the convo. This is my first comment SINCE you left Baseball Toaster. Used to comment quite regularly back then. The LA Times and ESPN platforms just kind of made me less interested in commenting. But… I still read every post. So I, for one, am happy you are back on your own, and plan to actually comment more. Congrats.
Gary Smith
test
Adam Luther
I loved the old Toaster…great fun following along with the ball game and comments. Keep up the great work Jon!
Marty Barash
Jon:
You da Man! Congratulations and keep up the good work. Viva Dodger Thoughts.
Anonymous
Following you from Mumbai India – it’s more fun to see you own site anyway and independent again!
2BeansInAPot
if u go to the moon…I will follow.
ESPN is boo boo anyways.
Tony
I’m actually glad to see you on your own again. “Back to the Future”.
Anonymous
Jon, I’m a long-time reader… but never a
participator of the comments section. I’ve always enjoyed reading some of the commenters’
opinions; but, had I known that perceived success of a web page was measured in
comments accumulated, I personally would have made an effort to regularly thank
you for insightful baseball analysis.
Now that it’s a new year, I’ll make it a point to
comment when the mood strikes right. Thanks for the quality work and keep it
up!
Frank Jones
Hi Jon, just tried to share your new location on Facebook, but ESPN still pops up in their auto-URLmangler. I don’t know if this is something you can yell at them about, but you should…
Glad to see you out of the ESPN cage.
Jon Weisman
Thanks. I don’t think that’s really on ESPN – I’m guessing it has to do with Facebook, its servers and what have you. However, if you put a specific DT post on there, like this one, it should work.
David Nims
Will read whatever the domain is. Good luck being back on your own and I’m sure Dodger Thoughts will continue to be great!
Anonymous
Good to see you back at the corner store Jon. Read you daily at the big warehouse sites, but this just feels better. Like so many others, I’ve enjoyed your musings about our Boys in Blue but it was always your willingness to share a slice of your life with us that made Dodger Thoughts the brilliant site that it is. Keep up the great work, you truly are a magnificent writer!!!
Anonymous
So, buh-bye to Jon from ESPN seems kind of like Fox buying the Dodgers — hire content you don’t know how to make the most of, but you don’t care because it establishes your new franchise, and you can dump it once it served its purpose? amirite commenters?
Well, this place looks a lot better than McCourt buying the Dodgers from Fox, so, good job Jon (and I see you there, Ken. Thank you.)
Steve
Come on Jon…if you ever want more people to take you seriously…proofread what you write.
“I wrote an farewell to the Toaster…”?
Really? And you call yourself a professional writer? Or does being a “blogger” give you permission to be sloppy? Ugh. Sorry man, because I know your heart is in the right place, but you’re a pro. You expect the players on the Dodgers’ roster to be their best…and put in the time…do the same and re-read your articles for the love of Vin.
Jon Weisman
Sometimes you can read a story a hundred times and miss a typo. I regret every single one of them.
Wil Huddleston
Yes!!! For some odd reason, I could never get into the swing of reading the blog on ESPN. I read the old blog, but for some reason the ESPN blog was just too overwhelming for me…maybe because there was so many other writers stuff mixed in with your writing. Now that you’re back on your own domain, I’m definitely making it a point to visit the site daily, along with my old standbys at MSTI and what I still like to call FNCN.
S. Garcia
I love your site, and if it wasn’t for twitter links I would hardly read your content when DT was on ESPNLA.
Glad you are once again independent, ESPN was too cluttered…
Hope to comment more
Mark Mattson
The new site looks great, Jon. While I am not at all certain about what the upcoming season will bring for the Dodgers, I AM certain that your writing will bring interesting and thought provoking insights to the season. Thanks for the labor of love service you provide for Dodger fans. BTW…I work with your brother on YJ. Go Dodgers!