October 30th, 2007 by Top Dawg
Grady Little resigned due to personal reasons Tuesday night. Grady says that news of his demise had zero impact on his decision. Ned Colletti supposedly tried to persuade Little to reconsider, but Grady had enough.
Grady’s 2 year reign over the Dodgers had mixed reviews. Year one The Dodgers finished with the wild card and were a hot team in the second half. Although the Dodgers were swept by the Mets everybody in the organization felt good about where they were and the direction of the team. After the season everybody was looking forward to the next year. Year two was a different story. With high expectations after a strong 2006 and the addition of a “1″ pitcher the Dodgers got out of the gate strong. Midway through the 2007 season the Dodgers were in or around the lead for the best record in the entire national league. After the break the wheels fell off. The young players were brought up (and played well) and the infighting with the veterans began. Little was never able to mend the clubhouse. During the season Little was questioned on his ever changing lineups and his lack of effective game plans. He was also pledged by a down year (Garciaparra), injuries (Schmidt, Wolf, Garciaparra), and bad signings (Pierre, Gonzales). So although the team had a disappointing season the players, strength, training, and personnel staff need to shoulder a lot of the responsibility of the dreadful year.
Although I question his baseball moves, Grady Little deserved a better effort from his support staff and players. Whoever the Dodgers bring in as manager the character of the players must be overhauled. They gave up on the season and their manager, the Dodgers deserved better.
October 25th, 2007 by Top Dawg
ESPN’s Buster Olney is reporting that Joe Girardi may be in the running to replace Grady Little in 2008. Olney was at one time (may still be) a huge Dodger fan, so maybe he has some inside info on this one. If the Dodgers are thinking about making a change, then they should do it, don’t waste another year! Something has to be going on since none of Grady’s coaches have contracts right now. Joe Girardi is a no-nonsense manager that loves to run. The Marlins lost 7 more games without him at the helm with essential the same lineup. Defensively they were the worst in baseball without Girardi (2006 Marlins Stats). Girardi doesn’t fire me up as much as Torre would, but hey he’s better than Grady!
October 24th, 2007 by Top Dawg
With Joe Torre refusing to take the Yankee’s 1 year $5 million offer maybe the Dodgers should’nt delay the inevitable and fire Grady Little now. Grady is going into the final year of his contract with the chances of an extension being minimal. Bob Costas on Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel suggested that Torre may opt for the Dodgers after next season. My thoughts are why wait? Grady’s style has raised criticism and Torre’s record is unmatched. Plus if hiring Torre gives you an inside edge on Alex Rodriguez then you do it.
There are a few obstacles I can see in the way of this:
1. Does Joe Torre want to manage right away.
2. Frank McCourt is a Boston guy who loves the Red Sox, would he hire a long time Yank?
There is a sign that changes are coming…Grady’s staff is without contract and there has been no word on resigning anyone.
If I’m the Dodgers I make the change before the hot stove gets hotter. Why waste another year?
October 22nd, 2007 by Top Dawg
Ned Colletti panicked. Last year after losing J.D. Drew and now needing 2 outfielders (Kenny Lofton was a FA) he got desperate. He locked up Juan Pierre to a 5 year deal to man center field for the Dodgers. The FA talent in the outfield was very thin last year, but instead of picking up a 1 year stop gap or resigning solid veteran Kenny Lofton, Ned committed to Pierre, thus frustrating Dodger fans for 5 years.
The Red Sox are disappointed in the JD Drew signing with reason, he was well below his career averages in 2007. Dodger fans are disappointed in the Juan Pierre signing with reason, because he stinks. Pierre was at his career averages to think he would improve is ridiculous he is what he is, a weak armed slap hitter. This was a huge mistake by Colletti, the good GM’s admit there mistakes and move on. Ned you made a mistake get rid of it now, don’t let it fester or some other GM will be sitting in your chair getting rid of the mistake.
October 15th, 2007 by Top Dawg
Found a good article in the daily news about the off-season events for Dodger management. Sounds like the Dodgers are trying to lessen the damage of the horrible Juan Pierre signing by moving his weak arm to left field. He says he’d move for Andruw Jones, but everyone else ??? Hopefully he creates a big stink and criticizes the owner, the owner’s his mom, dog, and children so we can dump is behind.
The 2008 tenative schedule is out on the Dodgers site. At first glance May looks to be the toughest month. July appears to be the easiest. The Dodgers play San Diego 9 times in September!
October 11th, 2007 by Top Dawg
In the spirit of Halloween the Dodgers have added some stencils for your pumpkin. Get the kids started off on the right foot, make a Dodger pumpkin and show your Dodger pride.
http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/la/fan_forum/pumpkins.jsp?partnerId=2007hp_clubpromo_la_pumpkins&affiliateID=2007hp_clubpromo_la_pumpkins