TORRE.

THIS IS NOT AN INTELLIGENT POST. THIS IS A RANT. DON'T EXPECT MERCY.

TORRE. YOU ARE A BITCH BANANA. I HATE YOU. HOW DO YOU LET BELISARIO STAY IN THAT LONG AFTER GIVING UP SO MANY HITS AND RUNS. THEN BROXTON. DID YOU JUST LEAVE HIM IN SO THE PHILLIES COULD CATCH UP AND END THE GAME? I THINK YOU DID. YOU OBVIOUSLY WANTED US TO LOSE. IF I EVER PUT IN BROXTON I WOULD HAVE SOMEONE UP IN THE BULL PEN ALREADY. BUT NO. YOU JUST. YOU LET HIM PITCH. AND LOSE. NO OUTS. IN THE BOTTOM OF THE NINTH. WHAT EVEN TORRE. I HATE YOU SO MUCH. I HOPE YOU GET FIRED. I DON’T WANT YOU TO QUIT. I WANT YOU TO GET FIRED. GO AWAY. YOUR MANAGEMENT SUCKS. YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT YOU’RE DOING. STOP FLUSHING MY DODGERS DOWN THE TOILET.


UNFUCKINGBELIEVABLE.

SO MUCH RAGE.

Kemp is looking disheartened.

(Photo courtesy of reddawg31 on Flickr)

And wouldn't you too if your coach sat you down two days in a row? Today the Dodgers didn't even do anything right offensively. Kemp could have done what the other guys did so why was he out for the second time in a row again? WHO KNOWS?

I know people are going to tell me that Torre wanted to keep in the hot hitters, but a couple of those guys are hitting just about as well as Kemp is. I just. I feel bad for Matt, because does Torre think that sitting him down for two consecutive games is gonna give him anymore confidence? If anything, it's just going to make him feel like a huge pile of crap.

I was reading the article on the Dodgers' official site and according to Torre, when Matt was told he was going to sit out of the game for the second time in a row, "He shrugged his shoulders and said, 'OK.'"

Um. Not OK. Does it sound like he was "OK" with that? No. It doesn't. So, don't get me wrong, though. I'll be the first to admit that Kemp hasn't been hitting well recently, but that shouldn't cause a second benching. What about Casey Blake? He hasn't been hitting all that great either but you don't see him sitting down for two games in a row. Matt has put so much effort into playing for this team and the way he swiftly moves about the outfield is great. I don't think he should be punished for struggling, that's all. If he's going to get better, don't we need him out there playing?

I just find the way that this team has been managed lately, completely and utterly horrid. I still stand by my word, saying that Joe Torre doesn't give a rat's bum about the team. He always seems so disinterested and I just...I don't know. It's becoming really tough to have to sit back and watch the Dodgers go downhill. Not just because of Torre, but because of so many other things. I want to keep believing. I really, really do. But I just don't know. If we can't beat out pitchers like Roy Oswalt, what makes anyone think we'll make it to postseason, let alone the World Series?

It's depressing but, I'm still going to keep watching and supporting and cheering them on. What kind of fan would I be if I didn't?

And we were swept off of our feets.

(Picture Courtesy of cooper.smith on Flickr)

The Dodgers beat the Phillies today in a 15-9 victory. Who were those guys in Dodger uniforms I saw tonight? Were those champions I saw? Well, I won't get too ahead of myself here, but tonight's game was incredibly exciting. The Dodgers offense was out of this world. The way they performed tonight is the way that they really need to perform in the remaining games because these kind of victories are the ones we need.

Jay Gibbons had his first MLB home run tonight in nearly three years. Andre Ethier, a.k.a. Captain Clutch; Dr. Dre, had a great night. He went 4 for 4 with a walk and was hit by a pitch (and luckily not hurt by it). Kemp came off the bench as a pinch hitter and got a hit. Loney and Blake also chipped in with the RBI's, Casey Blake with a two-run homer. Podsednik and Theriot got themselves on base a few times and George Sherrill had his first ever Major League at bat in the seven years he's been playing. He was walked.

What an incredible game to watch and it resulted in a big win. It's hard to believe that this is the team we were swept by in the postseason of 2009.

In other news, Rafael Furcal has now landed on the disabled list because of his recurring problems with his back. He didn't want to be there and fought it, but in the end, it is probably best for him.

So who is coming up? We know it's not Chin Lung Hu. And according to a few sources, it was said that Juan Castro was pulled from a game with the Isotopes after one at-bat. It is likely he will be coming up to backup Carroll, or perhaps play in the actual spot. Carroll has been doing a great job at SS, but I think it's best that we're bringing up Castro so that we have Carroll available to play another position just in case, you know?

Anyway, this win has made me happy. Like a little school girl.

But what was with that fight in Cincinnati? Epic. Slightly hilarious. Human. A link is needed, no? Here: [link]

Enjoy.

Dodgers, are you finally getting me through this heartbreak?

Today the Dodgers performed incredibly well. The best I've seen from them this season, in fact. This is the way Champions should play. If only we had started off playing like this at the beginning then we might not have been in this position. I am just hoping that this was an improvement in offense, and not just taking advantage of bad pitching. Either way, Dodgers beat the Nationals 8-3 today, and that just makes me a little bit happier.

We let go of veteran Garret Anderson.

The only thing I wonder is why we waited this long.

"Garret Anderson had the second-lowest batting average of any player with 100 at-bats or more this season, .181, and the Dodgers on Sunday decided it was time to part ways. The 38-year-old pinch-hitter and outfielder was designated for assignment, perhaps the end of a 17-year Major League career. Anderson hit two home runs and had 12 RBIs in 155 at-bats and 80 games..." (Official Site of the Los Angeles Dodgers)

Anderson had a good career. Just not with the Dodgers, and it was about time to go separate ways.

With that said, the Dodgers were able to buy the contract of Jay Gibbons and brought him up from Triple-A Albuquerque. He had his first major league at bat today since 2007 as a pinch hitter, and smacked an RBI single up the middle. I have high hopes for Gibbons.

Reed Johnson came in as a pinch hitter as well and amazingly hit a two-run single up the middle.

Jamey Carroll, in at SS for Rafael Furcal who is on day-to-day with back strain, went 3 for 3 today. Man, was he on fire or what? Carroll is such an incredible utility player. No matter what position he plays, he always seems to do well. I guess that's why he's a utility player.

And THIS GUY. A.J. Ellis! Where did that double come from?! So glad he hit that today. More than you know, really. I want so much for him to do well because with Ausmus apparently taking over as our dominant catcher, then we'll definitely need a backup for the old man.

In other news:

What was Ethier doing today? Well, I can tell you what he wasn't doing. Extending his hitting streak. This makes me pretty upset for him but, you know, no one is perfect. It just would have been nice to see the player whose jersey I constantly sport do well in such a great game. Oh well.

Matt Kemp. The "King of Swing" struck out in all four of his at bats. Yeah, "King of Swing" alright. Swing and miss, that is. He makes me sigh in frustration every day of my life. But the Dodgers are demanding the fans be patient with the slumping center-fielder, so that's what I'm doing. I just wish he would quit pulling his swing all the time. I'm not going to boo him like the jerks at Dodger Stadium. He's still a Dodger. I just want him to do better.

And I miss you. Stop hurting yourself, please.

Also.

JAMES LONEY WHAT WHAT.

Everyone's Skypin' now-a-days

So I "Skyped" for the first time ever with my friend Lilli/Lanaia from Canada last night. It can get a tiny bit awkward when your conversation goes to nothingness for a while, but we managed to stay on Skype for nearly eight hours. No sleep. Glorious. But it was fun. I met Lilli back in November of last year and ever since then we've become like real life friends. I can talk to her, laugh with her, confide in her, and not have to worry about her judging me for any of it. And honestly, who is she going to tell about my secrets?

Online friends are honestly a blessing a lot of times, save for the creepy predators, because strangely enough they can be ten times easier to connect with. You can tell them a secret, knowing that someone else around you won't know about it. You can ask them for advice, and know they won't judge you for your situation. Best of all, when you need to get away from everyday life, they're fun to talk to and laugh with.

I, sometimes, find it easier to be friends with people I know online, rather than in real life. Perhaps it's because I'm not constantly caught up in their personal lives and situations. Sure, I have online friends that will tell me of their situations, but it's not the same as being around it. It's sometimes better to talk to online friends, especially the ones who can cheer you up pretty easily, because most of the time they aren't sick and tired of talking to you or seeing you. Real life friends can get tired of you and not want to be around you and avoid hanging out with you, which can sometimes end in a big blowout. Trust me, I know.

There is something about having online friends that I just love. Lilli really accepts me. Even when I talk too much about baseball or American stuff, she still likes me for me. Same with my friend Risa. Plus I can be a total nerd with them and they won't care because they are total nerds back. A lot of times, there are the online friends that stick around for a long time, and the online friends that don't. But the ones that do sit there and tolerate you because for some reason they actually enjoy talking to your weird self, are definitely friends to keep.

Love you Lilli. Love you Risa. You two are always and forever going to be a couple of the best friends I've ever had.

Lack of support, Lack of interest, Lack of hope

First, I would like to present this article from the Official Website of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Sarah's Take: Martin's given his all

This is an important article to me because it expresses just exactly how I feel about this situation. I could never explain how much seeing Russell Martin in this situation saddens me. Maybe you'll understand after reading that article.

What also saddens me is everyone's sudden lack of support. I know with an eight game deficit out of the division lead and a seven game deficit out of the wild card spot, that it is hard to keep on cheering on. It's hard to keep on believing, but you know what the fact of the matter is? It's not over yet. Sure, the Dodgers have struggled much more than they should have this year, but you have to consider that they have been going through a lot. The Frank McCourt divorce being one of the main sources of stress is there. With this, there is so much risk. Players like Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier, and James Loney could be headed to Free Agency because of this stupidity. There is just so much going on with the Frank McCourt divorce that involves the Dodgers and their "worth." We can only hope that with all of this, maybe, just maybe, we'll pick up a new owner. A better owner. One that won't put us in the hole like this again.

Then there is Joe Torre. What is he doing? Where is he going with all of this? We all know that this is most likely going to be his last year with the Dodgers, and honestly, I couldn't give a crap. I don't think he's done all that great of a job with the Dodgers. But that's just my opinion, and possibly the opinion of a ton of other people I've talked to. First of all, this team is not the Yankees. Not even close. The offense isn't the same so you can't treat it the same. That goes for pitching too. Every team is different and Torre doesn't seem to get it. Either that, or he just doesn't care. And Ed Yassa of the L.A. Times explains just exactly why this could all be effecting the team:

"Judging by the look of complete lack of interest on his face and his total disconnect from the team, Joe Torre has already given the Dodgers the answer about his future. He has checked out and the team has sensed it, there is no fire in the dugout and the players look defeated. Torre lost his passion in New York and a three-year vacation in Los Angeles has not helped."

There is nothing in Torre anymore. He's lost the ability to care so why should the Dodgers have to care?

As a fan of the Dodgers, watching this - watching the team destroy themselves - time after time, whether it be offense or pitching, is entirely frustrating. It seems that the fans care ten times more about the team these days than the coaches or the owner, and how are we suppose to improve anything if this is the case? Just cheering on the Dodgers isn't going to make much of an effect. We, unfortunately, need more than that. I feel like the team just has no motivation and feels no reason to try and do well. Honestly, how do we make the play-offs last year, and this year we're in fourth place, eight games behind?

It's become painful to watch the games. To watch the looks on the players' faces. To watch them play baseball as if they have never played it before. It seems that what was once a competition in the game of baseball, has become nothing more than trying to get through the last fifty or so games.

I could go on, hoping that things will get better this season. I could say, "well, maybe we'll have a better season next year." But it's so hard to do this when we don't know what's in store for us. Losing Martin, Frank McCourt, Free Agency of some of our best players, and Joe Torre seem to be the main factors in what will effect the Dodgers organization and team next year. I am hoping for the best but it's not getting any easier.

Oh, Russ. What have you gotten yourself into this time?

I was debating putting this on my Dodgers blog but since it is a bit more...personal, I suppose, I decided to put it here.

This is the point where I reach sadness. Russell Martin, this used-to-be All-Star was one of the most loved players of the Dodgers and I might dare to say in the whole MLB. Well, it’s not hard to see how he’s changed over the years: basking too much in the Hollywood light - enough to become a crispy carrot orange. But you know, us fans of Russell thought that maybe he’d bounce back. Maybe he’d start being like the guy who once stole our hearts with his grace behind the plate, smart swings, and an unconditional love for the people who meant most to him in life - his mother and father. We thought that he was the foundation and future of the Dodgers just a few years ago, and now it’s likely that this career which had started off so bright and so full of promise could end with such a painful blow.

On Tuesday, August 3, 2010, Russell Martin suffered a season-ending injury to the labrum in his right hip. But who knew that just beyond this, might be the end of the Russell Martin Dodger Era? He had begun to go downhill in 2008 but even with that fact, he was still one of the best catchers in baseball, which brought enough confidence to the organization to trade their top catching prospect, Carlos Santana, to the Cleveland Indians, which brought the Dodgers 3rd baseman Casey Blake. Seems like that was one of the Dodgers’ biggest mistakes, but maybe back then, they didn’t think so because teammates, coaches, and fans alike all wanted to believe in Russell.

It’s safe to say that Russell Martin isn’t the player he used to be. His most recent seasons have come to be his worst, and it seems to be going downhill from there.

It is truly sad to have to see him go down like this because all-in-all, everyone wanted the best for him. Even now, I still want to believe in him. I want him to do better. I have been rooting for him all year long, but this season, he had only five homers and 26 RBIs in 97 games at the time of Tuesday’s injury. That’s pretty terrible and can definitely be what causes the Dodgers Organization to reach the breaking point and finally deem keeping the catcher around a lost cause. According to the L.A. Times, “With Martin expected to make at least $6 million next season in arbitration, the Dodgers could reasonably decide that he is no longer worth the investment, and the departure could be permanent.”

Russell Martin has gone down as one of the most used catchers in baseball in the past four years. Even when there was bad pitching and when back-up catcher, veteran Brad Ausmus, came in, he refused to stop playing. This includes Tuesday night, the night of his season-ending injury, when he stayed in to catch for five more innings until Hong-Chih Kuo was set to take place on the mound where Martin would leave the game confessing, “I can’t move enough to block his slider.”

“If that was Russell Martin’s last act as a Dodger, it was a noble and fitting one. He played until it hurt, hobbled away quietly, and played no more.” (L.A. Times) And I couldn’t have said it better myself.

It is quite painful, not only for Martin and the team, but for those of us who have only wanted for Russell to do well. It still feels like just yesterday when Russell Martin became that All-Star - that amazing ball player and person - that I grew to admire. For it to end so abruptly, and on a bad note, is so heartbreaking.

“‘I’m still part of this team, man,” he said, as if to remind us he was still Russell Martin. But then he sighed, paused, and his pained words confirmed that he’s no longer that Russell Martin. ‘I don’t know,” he said. ‘It’s going to be tough, man.’ Tough as in, this may finally be one plate that the Dodgers’ endearing catcher cannot block. Martin’s body may have betrayed him for the last time in blue…” (L.A. Times)