Report From Chavez Ravine

by psk984 on Jun 26, 2006 2:56 AM EDT Comment 4 comments

Got to experience #11 live and in-person. Given that our seats, despite being excellent, were in direct sunlight on this 90-ish degree day, I had my first sober game since high school. Ergo, some observations:

The Dodgers didn't hit Kip hard, but they don't hit anybody hard. Not to toot the ol' horn too much, but after telling the little woman that the wheels would fall off eventually and the fourth's first single, I proposed we take a walk in the shade. "Why?" Because they're gonna single him to death. Four runs later, I hated being right.

It looked, at times, that a decent Legion team could have hit Kip. Unless something was off with the radar gun (possible - Gonzo kept showing up around 89), he was topping out at 88 or so and was relying on a fastball-changeup combitation that, obviously, wasn't striking anyone out. Does he even have an out pitch? Considering that he was pitching with a bloodless arm last year, I feel a little bad for calling him "gutless," among other things, but I really have doubts about his overall ability.

Jack Wilson would have caught that liner. I love Freddy, but there's difference between the two defensively, I think. I also think Jack would've started the missed double play with a sharper throw.

Burnitz looks terrible in person. I think Kip took better swings.

Dodgers fans are a weird group. Other times I'd been to the Ravine were pretty positive, and maybe it was the heat and whatnot today, but this had to be the most annoying crowd I've ever been around. The flying beach balls were by far the main attraction, they paid no attention whatsoever when the Bucs were batting, and there was some downright boorish behavior from weird sources: kids. There were maybe ten other Pirates fans in our general area, and when some pre-pubescent twerp started a personal "Pirates suck" chant, he was joined by other kids and at least two adults. I don't mind a good heckling normally, but, seriously, "adults," you're encouraging that? We're in the midst of a historic losing streak, it's a miserable day, and we're helping your bajillionaire owner pay for the future of the team by buying tickets - a little class, please? Weird day.

Dodger Dogs, though, are wonderful.

Someone needs to be fired over the way this team approaches its at-bats. Joe Friggin' Beimel comes into the game and his first two pitches are outs? Well done, scouting department. Or, hell, Joe Beimel's former teammates.

What happened that allowed Penny to leave after tossing a pitch to a batter? I thought that, unless injured, a pitcher has to finish the at-bat? Or do I need to watch more baseball with a 0.00 BAL?

I'm fairly certain they've given up on Tracy, or on the season at least. Lousy body language after Nomar's homer basically put it out of reach. But I don't think they've given up on each other. I enjoyed seeing Gonzo and Kip legitimately greet each other pre-game; Cota and Burnitz fooling around between innings; McLouth chatting at the latter and Jason Bay at the end of the first, taking out their gear. What the players said about making changes in today's P-G? I think they're pointing at management, not at each other. They just can't say it.

It's been fun, Sully. Good luck in Atlanta. See you in New York, Damaso. Are you next, Gonzo?

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of the managing editor (Charlie) or SB Nation. FanPosts are written by Bucs Dugout readers.

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the players

I think they're pointing at management, not at each other. They just can't say it.

I think you're right about this.

by Charlie on Jun 26, 2006 12:48 PM EDT reply actions

Just look at their home run totals

I do believe the graphic they flashed said Nomar lead(s) the team with nine. I guess they hit a pissload of doubles a la Freddy.

by psk984 on Jun 26, 2006 3:13 PM EDT reply actions

LA Offense

Nomar and JD Drew each have 9, Jeff Kent has 8 and Matt Kemp has 7 homers so far this season. The Dodgers lead the NL with 407 runs scored (the Pirates rank 12th with 346), and have hit their fair share of doubles (139 - same as the Pirates) and enough homers (70 - the Pirates have 86).

Where the Dodgers clearly outclass the Pirates is in OBP - the Dodgers lead the NL with a .359, while the Pirates lag behind at .325. Putting more runners on base means more opportunities to score and the Dodgers apparently do a good job of cashing in.

And for traditional stats fans, the Dodgers also have 62 stolen bases, versus 28 by the Pirates. So the Dodgers get on base more, seem to be more aggressive and those add up to more runs without the power.

by Greg Schuler on Jun 26, 2006 3:33 PM EDT up reply actions