IGD: Padres @ Dodgers (15 Apr 07)

first pitch: 5:05 p.m. PT
television: ESPN
matchup: Chris Young (1-0, 2.13 ERA) vs Randy Wolf (1-1, 3.75 ERA)
preview: Padres.com

Major League Baseball is branding this as the “Jackie Robinson Game.” As such, it will be televised on ESPN at a time that makes no sense whatsoever. Every member of the Dodgers will be wearing #42 in Robinson’s honor.

Others have pointed out the absurdity of “unretiring” a number that was retired in perpetuity (unless that word doesn’t mean what I think it means). Robinson deserves every possible accolade we can give him, and then some. That said, there are probably better ways to celebrate one of the game’s true pioneers. None, of course, will generate as much revenue as this — think of the uniform sales.

Anyway, you may want to find an alternate feed today if possible. There’s a real good chance the ESPN broadcasters won’t even acknowledge the Padres.

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201 Responses »

  1. Two out solo homer time Adrian.

  2. For those of us who are new to the glory of Ducksnorts, could anyone explain what OG and NOG mean?

  3. 102: Orange & Non-Orange Giles

  4. OG=Old Giles
    NOG=New Old Giles

  5. If the phrase “Behind every successful man is a good woman” is accurate, Jackie Robinson had his. His wife is incredibly well spoken, passionate about the foundation and, unfortunately, is a Dodger fan.

  6. 103: Thanks for the info. I’ve been trying to figure that one out for a while.

    One run is a start. I hope CY can figure it out.

  7. OMG. I remember watching Hank Aaron play on our b/w TV with the rabbit ear antenea. I even had one of his cards.

  8. Hank Aaron is the greatest living hitter? Is Morgan just being nice because Aaron is there?

  9. Has every leadoff batter gotten on base so far?

  10. young’s at 72 pitches. Not good

  11. Two bad defensive plays and it’s 1st & 3rd with none out.

  12. I think karma is just on the Dodger side tonight

  13. Another stolen base. That’s getting annoying.

  14. Russel Martin with an infield hit and SB. Not good

  15. This isn’t faring too well for CY. Buddy needs to pull him.

  16. who was that in the ‘pen?

  17. yes, cameron

  18. 109: I don’t think that’s an unreasonable statement. The man has a career OPS 200 points higher than league average over 23 seasons. He at least has to be in the running.

  19. “Bout time…

  20. 120: It is unreasonable. Aaron was very good, but there is no way he’s the best living hitter.

  21. Hey Anthony – great stuff over at Friarwatch.com. the pitch charts were fascinating. one thing that stood out to me was how consistent the umpire was. everything that was called a strike was in a clear band and it was free of any “balls”… cool stuff.

  22. Did anybody else see Bowden touch the plate on that last out?

  23. Way to keep us in the game Cameron!!! I like this guy.

  24. c’mon guys . . . best living hitter is Tony the Gwynn!

  25. good rip KG!

  26. our bullpen continues to amaze

  27. He might not be the best but it’s not unreasonable to say he is. Looking at the career OPS list I don’t see too many living guys I’d say are better hitters. Mays was probably better.

    I don’t count active players unless they’ve played a long time and are much better than the league. I guess Bonds is better but I put less weight in his steroid years than his previous numbers.

    Longevity and consistency have to count for something and it’s not like Aaron’s peak years were mediocre. During the pitcher dominated late 60s he was putting up 40 HR .350+ OBP seasons.

    I assumed Stan Musial was dead, he might be the best living hitter.

  28. Good call leaving Cameron in there. Put Blum in and he’s gonna do the same exact thing.

  29. 123: Thanks. There’s a lot of interesting data in those Gameday XML files. Too bad they don’t make it a little easier to get at.

  30. Boy, am I glad that Hammerin’ Hank is out of the booth. Any more fawning by Joe Morgan and I was going to throw up. Are they even watching the game or is this a night for the guys in the booth patting each other on the arse.

  31. 132: The latter. Given the magnitude of the subject matter I’m willing to cut them a lot of slack.

    It’s almost unimaginable to me that within their lifetime the country was so different that a major league ballplayer couldn’t stay in the same hotel as the rest of the team.

  32. Kouz flashing the leather. What else is new.

  33. 134. exactly… wow, he is so obviously a butcher at third…*rolls eyes* Can’t believe everything you read, I guess. He may not be Brooksie, but he’s not sub-standard as we were led to believe.

  34. 132: I don’t think they ever pay attention to the game.

  35. It’s hard to watch this game with all of the interviews going on.

  36. 137: Yeah, if I wanted to listen to a sports radio broadcast I’d – damn it Kouz! If you’re gonna strike out, strike out looking cool!!!

  37. Only down by two now. We could still stun the Dodgers and come back to win this.

  38. As good as the Padres look so far, to date we are still 7-3. Runs: 44-37.

  39. 44-38 now.

  40. I’ll pop my head up long enough to ask, after yesterday and today, why is Doug Brocail on this team?

  41. Ball boy down!

  42. ESPN just f@$%^ up by not coming back to live play on time.

  43. What happened? He get hit by a foul ball?

  44. Yeah. Russel scalded a ball down the first base line. It hit the wall and popped right up into his face. Pretty ugly at full speed.

    Even better at slow-mo.

  45. Wow, he went down like he was shot. A Russ Branyan foul ball to the face has got to hurt. Took a weird hop off the wall.

  46. Yeah at first I thought he went down for theatrics. But then he didn’t move.

  47. 147: Damn me and my bladder!!!! I totally missed it!!!