Via MSTI


Regardless, I'm still a huge fan of grenade spam. There's nothing like the satisfaction of getting that little "+5" postmortem because you launched a pair of grenades aimlessly into the sky.

....Sign me up

I know this is going to blow Bill Plaschke's mind, but I dont think the Dodgers lost this series because they didn't have an "ace". In the 5 games, the Dodger starting pitcher was clearly outpitched only 1 time (Cliff Lee vs. Hiroki Kuroda). Hamels struggled in both of his starts, Pedro and Blanton were pitched to a draw by Padilla and Wolf. But someone has to take the fall for this debacle, and I'm blaming these things:

1) Where were the big hits with men on base? The Dodgers offense averaged only 3 runs per game, and a big part of that is their inability to hit with men on base. The Phillies outhomered the Dodgers 10-6 in the series (expected coming into the series) but seven of those were with men on base, and four of them were 3-run homeruns. The Dodgers had four solo home runs, and two 2-run homeruns.

2) The Bullpen (not just Broxton). If there was one clear cut advantage I thought we had in this series, it was the bullpen. Turns out, they were even worse than the Phillies bullpen. They end the series giving up 14 earned runs in 21.2 innings pitched. Ugh.....

3) Joe Torre. He left Kershaw in way too long in Game 1, and the Phillies took advantage of it. And why would you not pinch-hit Thome for Martin with the bases loaded in the 8th in Game 5?! Screw all that "you need to have an emergency catcher" shit, the season is on the line and you are down by 5 runs. It's now or never, and instead Thome sits on the bench, while Martin and his .693 playoff OPS strikes out.

4) Frank McCourt. I warned you about pissing off the baseball gods by drawing attention to yourself the day before the NLCS, and now look what happened.

I'm done venting. It was a good year that ended because of the Phillies again. This is probably going to be the same team next year (barring any major trades or McCourt slashing payroll due to his divorce), so our only hope of making it to the World Series, is if the Nationals win the NL East. Don't let me down, Stephen Strasburg!

Ferio's Corner

Here's the audio I grabbed of the bottom of the 9th called by Mr. Vin Scully.

He sums up the playoffs beautifully at the end saying,

"For the Dodgers another sad story with runners in scoring position. So when you think about it, you might very well have to say that for the Dodgers, their luck ran out. And if you say to a professional player you've been lucky, you might get a dirty look. But they were lucky, let's face it. When Matt Holliday lost that ball in the lights and the Dodgers pulled that one out. They were lucky when they were able to win game 2 at Dodger Stadium on a bunt that got between Chan Ho Park, and Ryan Howard. But there was no luck tonight on either side -- it was brute force, and it was the Phillies who came on strong to win it".

There's nothing I want more than to hear Vin call a World Series clinching game at Dodger Stadium, but it makes me sad to think that with the current state of affairs, I may not be so lucky.

The ship is going down. The lifeboats have been stolen by ex-Dodgers.
Please take this opportunity to say goodbye to your loved ones.
*the string quartet plays one last song*

Props to rokketride for the following videos - What to do with your Dodgers 2009 World Series Tickets.

MOAR HEARTBREAK

It's that time again.
It's Chente's time to shine for the 3rd time this postseason.

CLICK FOR THE ANIGIF




We have a lot of work to do before we can even contemplate sending this series to a game 7. I'll be watching with razor blade in hand.


Also, there's a cool interview you've probably already read by now with dat boy Diamond Leung over at LAist.

Ned Colletti's signed what appears to be a secret deal according to Ken Gurnick of MLB.com,

"It's a long-term deal and I'll be here for a long time and maybe here for longer than that," said Colletti."

Don't threaten me Ned, I'm in a volatile state.

"He said signing those core players to long-term contracts would be considered "in a case-by-case situation."

"It's got to be right for them and for us, too," he said. "We're not losing any of those players to free agency for a few years. It will be based on how hard they play and how hard they'll continue to play if they get a long-term deal."

So basically it's one year deals for Martin, Loney, Kemp, Ethier, Broxton, Bills, and Kuo (If I'm missing anyone, let me know). I highly doubt any long term commitments will be made for fear of Jamie McCourt taking Frank for all he's got in divorce court.

Even Lamar Odom's prenup sounds like a good idea right about now. In that scenario, his total payment to Jamie would be $15 mil based on $500k/year for the 30 years they were married...on second thought, that's way too much money. He's better off hiring a hitman.

Ned's done an average job with this team, in my opinion and honestly, nothing which merits a half-decade extension (if that's the deal agreed upon). My expectations of this franchise are high. The history of this teams demands it not only be competitive, but win championships. With that said, twenty one years of futility are not erased with 3 out of 4 playoff runs.

I just hope Logan White's feelings aren't hurt with the news of this extension since unless a a pair of real shitty years follows, he's not in line for the number 1 spot for quite a while. The same applies for Kim Ng who's NedCo's crutch in contract dealings. I understand even great GMs need a good team around them, but without these people, Ned is back in San Fran massaging Sabean's prostate.

I seriously hope the guy's learned from past mistakes, and that he's given the money to make this team better, which speculation indicates is unlikely.

Really Broxton?!

Pitching around Matt Stairs was only the beginning of a meltdown that, to be perfectly honest, a lot of us saw coming. Fuck all that positivity bullshit, and man up and admit that a part of you had a feeling this was gonna go down. This is how we do things.

"This is Dodgers Baseball".

Trademark that shit and slap it on t-shirts with a picture of the Philly Fanatic pissing on a Dodger logo and a picture of Broxton on the back sitting Indian style.

I'd like to thank Kemp and The Beard for showing up to the NLCS. We've missed you. Too bad it's way too fucking late.

Does it surprise anyone that the TBS crew sounded like they had a smile from ear to ear after the game? Those fuckers have been slobbing on Philly cock since this series started.

It's times like these I wish I did hard drugs.

L-Ram's Corner

Unbelievable.  This is the exact opposite feeling of the Game 2 NLDS victory against the Cardinals.  For the 2nd consecutive year, Broxton has a chance to help seal a Dodger victory in Game 4 of the NLCS to tie the series at 2-2, and for the 2nd year in a row he fuckin blows it.  I'm not going to say he's a terrible pitcher and we need to get rid of him and all that shit, but this is not a good trend.  Season is practically over, I highly doubt the Dodgers are coming back from this.  I'm going to drink myself to sleep tonight.

Dodgers lose 11-0 last night. I dont want to talk about it anymore. Let's tie this series tonight!

Ferio's Corner:

I'm a man that continually jumps to conclusions so something tells me this series doesn't come back to L.A. My game 7 tickets will be forgotten and eventually show up in some far off land like the premade t-shirts of the losing team in a championship game.

Also, I think Vin Scully may just post on Dodger Blues. Last night as I was driving home, they played the "Under the Lights" promo and Vinny said something like, "You know, it's funny, this promo says to come run, hit, throw, and have fun. All things that the Dodgers are doing nothing of right now".

It's a bit more tame than what you see on DB, but it was said in a tone that made me laugh during a game where I usually pull my hair out.

So I wake up this morning ready to make my prediction for the series when I see the news about the McCourts breaking up. Really, guys? A day before the Dodgers best chance at reaching the World Series in 21 years, you decide to make this announcement? Not the best timing. Now, I'm worried about the future ownership of the Dodgers (and I guess we won't be seeing all those cool renovations to Dodger Stadium).

Before the news, I was going to pick the Dodgers in 6, due to the fact that both Wolf and Kershaw are in the rotation this year and Sherill and Kuo in the pen, would help neutralize Howard, Ibanez, and Utley (the Dodgers had no left-handed starters in last year's NLCS). Now, fuck that. The sports gods don't appreciate owners who draw attention to themselves in the middle of the playoffs (see Cuban, Mark). Phillies in 6.

Ferio still says the Dodgers in 4. Bless his little heart...

The McCourts Separate

Dodgers owner Frank McCourt and his wife Jamie, the team's chief executive, have separated, raising questions about the potential effect of their rift on the ownership of the franchise as the Dodgers prepare to start the National League Championship Series against the Philadelphia Phillies today at Dodger Stadium.

Now, I ain't saying she a gold digga'...

If Frankie got himself a prenup before his marriage to Jamie, then there shouldn't be any issues, but if he didn't, well then it's possible we'll have to start looking for a new owner. Here's a list of potential candidates.

• Arte Moreno: He wants L.A.'s real team. I'm sure he's dreamt of the opportunity.
• Marc Cuban: He's an asshole with a lot of money.
• Rush Limbaugh: He's an asshole with a lot of money (apparently).
• El Chapo Guzman: He needs a money laundering front.

I'm full of shit, I know, all of this doesn't mean anything right now. The Dodgers are valued at $722 million dollars. I suggest one of you start up a site like this and we'll all get to make personnel decisions based on online polls.

We'll all get to be Billy Beane and have a puppet for a manager to do our bidding, and you can remove the "Fantasy" part of your GM entry on your resume.

MAKE IT HAPPEN!

P.S. I just noticed I entered into a photoshop battle with M. Brown.

A pair of ties, and a Honduras win closed out CONCACAF's World Cup qualifying stage. Mexico couldn't close the deal in Trinidad and had to come from behind twice just to tie 2-2. Meanwhile, the U.S. made a comeback of their own as they fell behind 2-0 as early as 20 minutes into the match and congratulations Honduras who celebrates their first world cup bid since 1982.

These results leave CONCACAF's seeds in the following order:
1.) U.S.
2.) Mexico
3.) Honduras
4.) Costa Rica*

*Playoff against Uruguay.

Costa Rica must be completely heartbroken. They had the ticket to South Africa in their hands, and let it slip in dramatic fashion. The final was a bitter sweet for me as it was one of my favorite players from Chivas USA, (who've I've neglected for a little while now, but continue to follow) Johnny Bornstein who came through to seal the tie in stoppage time. It was an emotional moment after the game as players and fans revealed their shirts, and banners in support of Charlie Davies who's now stable after a car crash he was involved in this past Tuesday. All rivalry aside, I wish him the best.

This final round of play had no implications for Mexico, so it was merely a formality, and it showed. What matters is we're in, and now we all await the FIFA group drawing on December 4th to see our rivals.

It was a wild ride, and one that I hope won't repeat itself. The shoddy planning that went into these past 2 years by FMF suits was unbecoming of a nation who's main sport is football. And while the final objective was reached, it does not excuse the fact that it took Javier Aguirre Part Deux to make it happen. I have a feeling he won't be around after 2010 to bail your asses out again so get to work.

It's been a cruel waiting period in between games and I've hated every minute of it. I wake up in cold sweats, wet dreams have ruined the sheets, and The Cure's "Friday I'm in Love" on repeat at late hours of the night is enough to safely say that if I continue this for another week, I'll soon be dead.

It's as if the tickets for Friday afternoon's game are taunting me at will-call. Calling me a tubby bitch, and threatening to take my mother out for a nice seafood dinner and never her calling again.

Yes, I'm keenly aware that the first game of the series is on Thursday, but goddammit I have tickets to Friday's game so that's more important in my life. I'll watch Thursday's game from my couch praying that our puppy doesn't shit in my lap (potty training isn't going well).

I have nothing left to do but wait. Wait for the Dodgers to begin to take that final step toward an achievement most of us younger fans haven't had the pleasure in celebrating, or at least vividly remember celebrating -- a World Series. The dream was stolen last year by these same Phillies, and I'd love nothing more than to destroy them as quickly and with as much pain as possible.

The wait continues one more day.

We owned the city of St. Louis today:

Los Angeles Dodgers beat the St. Louis Cardinals 5-1 to eliminate them from the playoffs.

Los Angeles Kings beat the St. Louis Blues 2-1 to continue their good start to their season.

Like Ice Cube said: "Today was a good day"

P.S. Fuck TBS for not showing more of the Dodgers locker room celebration. I wanted to see
champagne spraying, not listen to Eckersley analyze what's wrong with the Red Sox. Just
for that, I'm boycotting the Lopez Tonight show.

P.S.S. And Mexico clinched a trip to next year's World Cup with a 4-1 victory against
El Salvador! The 2nd best sports day of 2009 so far (behind the Lakers championship)

Me dicen "El Sapo"
Por Prieto
Feo
Y maton

That's a song from L.A.'s corrido scene and fits perfectly with Chente Padilla's demeanor.

Click the image below for the full 'Dilla Time experience.

I also loved this image of a psyched Juan Pierre after he scored the tying run from second base. DUDE'S PUMPED!!!

Since L-Ram likes to watch locker room postgame interviews on the odd chance he'll catch a glimpse of some weenus, instead he caught Adam Wainwright's postgame interview where he comes as a total douche.

When asked what he thought of Kershaw's performance, the asshole in him just had smirk and spout off a quick shot about some pitch that almost grazed him.

That wasn't the best part however, toward the end of the interview when asked if they told Holliday anything in the dugout after his error he claimed it was unfair to have white towels waiving around and he suggested we have Dodger blue ones instead. Watch the interview for yourself below:


Also, this dude sounds exactly like Danny McBride as Kenny Powers. I'm serious. Close your eyes and listen. It's uncanny.

It's been more than 2 hours and I still can't believe the Dodgers won that game. Honestly, how improbable was that comeback? Wainwright dominates the Dodgers for 8 innings, only to have Matt Holliday drop the third out in the 9th inning on a catch he would normally make 98 out of 100 times, and then have the next 4 Dodgers reach base to win the game. I would not want to be a Cardinals fan right now...

Now the Dodgers head to St. Louis to try and finish the series and I hope they do it on Saturday and just end this already. Some big breaks in the first 2 games (Carpenter's terrible game 1 start, Holliday's error) have given us a comfortable lead, but a game 3 loss means they will most likely have to face Carpenter and Wainwright in games 4 and 5. Let's not push our luck.

I'm shocked at tonight's result, BUT I'M HAPPY IT HAPPENED!

Fuck Steve Perry!

I was going to write this in-depth, position-by-position playoff preview, but I don’t get paid for this and most Dodger fans (basically any non-cholo) are knowledgeable enough to know to make their own logical opinions, so here are my own quick observations:

Hitting: The Cardinals have that cyborg Albert Pujols, all-star Matt Holliday, and a bunch of guys with bad porn mustaches. The Dodgers have better depth throughout their lineup, but they can struggle to score runs sometimes and they don’t have anyone nearly as scary as Pujols. Advantage: Draw (unless Manny steps up and turns into our own version of Pujols, then it becomes an advantage for the Dodgers)

Pitching: The Cardinals first 3 starters will be Carpenter/Wainwright/Piniero, while the Dodgers counter with Wolf/Kershaw/TBD. The Dodgers have the best bullpen ERA in the NL, while St. Louis was 4th. I hope that TBD turns out to be a 5 inning shutout start from Bills, and then he gets taken out before the 6th. I wish Torre would have thought ahead and juggled the rotation to have Kershaw start Game 1 to put a righty between Wolf and Kershaw. I thought he would since Joe is an old-school guy Advantage: Cardinals (because of Carpenter)

Conclusion: Not good. Honestly, I would have preferred to face the Phillies starting on the road, than the Cardinals at home. Carpenter has been dominant this year and in 2 starts against the Dodgers this year he pitched 15 innings while allowing 3 runs. The Dodgers will probably see him twice, which I’m counting as 2 losses, so they will have to win the other 3 games against Wainwright/Piniero/maybe Wainwright again. I don’t like those odds. Prediction: Cardinals in 5 (also, TBS announcers will say that St. Louis has the best baseball fans at least 500 times)


I like how Ferio did not make a concrete prediction. Where is the fun in that? Tanaka says you have no marbles!

I wanted to post about the Dodgers clinching the NL West, but I got caught up in watching Peyton Manning's masterpiece, and then watching Tony Romo suck (again). I wonder when Ferio will just admit that he is not that good. Probably never....

Anyway, I'm glad that the Dodgers clinched the NL west, but I'm not thrilled about facing the Cardinals. Ferio and I will probably make (incorrect) predictions tomorrow....


P.S.

This movie had some moments that had my partially clogged arteries' blood racing. The damn Paramore concert cancelled (don't judge me) so we caught the 1AM showing last night/this morning at the Arclight Hollywood and I highly recommend it.



It's slow moving, and if hand-held camera work makes you dizzy I suggest you stay away, but nonetheless, it gave me the creeps. The majority of the audience was into it so screams and gasps and the occasional dude yelling out "Oh! Fuck that!" were the norm. GO. SEE. IT. Unless you're one of those douchebags that don't like things because other people do. If that's you, well...fuck you.

I know there's this little thing called the NL West up for grabs, but since I've already custom made a shirt that says "2009 National League Playoff Participants", I'm not concerned about it too much. The Dodgers will have something to be embarrassed about, however, if they let the West slip away. Me, on the other hand? Life goes on. I'll be at Knotts Scary Farm guiding through the mazes, and watching the monsters chase teenagers around because I get a kick out of that.