Golden Boys – A Dodgers Dynasty

[ChicagoCubs720]

Thanks, CC720! I'll definitely finish this dynasty, but due to the average age of my players, there won't be a second season of "Golden Boys". :cool:

lol, yea they'll probably all retire

[sfgiantsflgators]

lol, yea they'll probably all retire

either that or Sabean will sign them while trying to convince everyone that they are in their primes.

[janitor06]

How do you post the pictures? The "image" button only lets me post from online, apparently. I'm running a Reds dynasty and want to post screenshots.

[sfgiantsflgators]

How do you post the pictures? The "image" button only lets me post from online, apparently. I'm running a Reds dynasty and want to post screenshots.

upload the pictures to imageshack (that's my choice of image hosting site - there are others), then they will give you an url to link to for the picture.

[xiberger]

Game 73: Dodgers (42-30) @ Angels (36-35)

Dodgers Lose Game And Rogers In Anaheim

Left: SP Horacio Ramirez almost pitched a complete game; Right: 3B Wes Helms connects for a two-run double.

The Dodgers experienced a complete nightmare at Anaheim as they were crushed by the Angels, 3-10. On the first pitch of his night, LA's starting pitcher Kenny Rogers was hit in the foot by Darin Erstad's ground ball. Rogers suffered a slight fracture and had to be replaced by fellow lefthander Mark Guthrie. "I don't know yet how severe the injury is", GM Jim Tracy told the press after being asked about Rogers' health. "We'll first have to take some X-rays before we know the details."

However, it is very likely that even with Rogers on the mound, the Dodgers could not have really challenged their LA rivals. The Angels were simply too strong that night, piling up a total of ten runs on 21 hits. In both the second and third inning, the home team scored four times, thus skyrocketing Guthrie's ERA from a microscopic 0.87 to 3.97 over just two innings. "It wasn't my game", the southpaw admitted later. "In the Majors, you need to play flawless baseball all the time, but I just didn't have it today."

Designated hitter Darin Erstad led the Angels' offense with a triple and three RBIs. Once more, starter Horacio Ramirez had a great outing, pitching deep into the ninth inning. Only one out away from his first complete game in 2005, Ramirez allowed an RBI double to LA's Fred McGriff, which ended his night. Craig Biggio added another run for the visitors by singling in McGriff from second base, but relief pitcher T.J. Tucker retired the next batter to end the game.

Boxscore: LAD 3 – ANA 10

[xiberger]

Update:

After being hit by a ball in his last start, pitcher Kenny Rogers has suffered a fractured toe. He'll be unable to play for 24 days because of the injury, but due to the upcoming All-Star Game, he won't miss too much of the action. I've already placed him on the 15-day DL and called up relief pitcher Mike Fetters (40) from AAA. Shane Reynolds will take Rogers' place in the rotation until he's healthy again.

[xiberger]

Game 74: Dodgers (42-31) @ Angels (37-35)

Sweet Revenge For Reed Against Former Team

Left: RF Gary Sheffield watches his 13th homer of the year; Right: 2B Jose Vizcaino dives and makes the catch.

Despite good pitching from starter Kevin Brown and reliever Mike Fetters, the Dodgers were beaten again by the Angels, 3-2. Brown stayed on the mound for 5 2/3 innings, allowing just two runs and striking out seven batters over that period. Anaheim's Endy Chavez opened the scoring in the third with an RBI double. Outfielder B.J. Surhoff came through in the fourth with a bases-loaded single that drove in the tying-run for the Dodgers. Julio Franco also tried to score on that play, but he was tagged out at the plate.

The Dodgers took the lead in the fifth inning on Barry Bonds' two-out RBI single which allowed Kenny Lofton to score the go-ahead run for the visiting team. In the bottom of the sixth, the Angels tied the game on Gary Sheffield's solo blast. Brown managed to retire the next two batters, but after Todd Walker and Wes Helms had hit back-to-back singles, he was replaced by Fetters. The 40-year-old right-hander, who had just been called up from AAA Las Vegas, pitched well in his first game for LA, but couldn't avoid the loss.

Fetters struck out the first two batters he faced, but Darin Erstad took him deep in the seventh inning to regain the lead for the Angels. However, Fetters did not seem to be too impressed by Erstad's home run as he continued his strong outing. He finished the game with four strikeouts, but his teammates could not help him out. Steve Reed, who had been traded to Anaheim by the Dodgers, recorded his sixth win of the year, and closer Danys Baez earned his 18th save.

Boxscore: LAD 2 – ANA 3

[aaronuconn]

Impressive record for the ages your playing with. It would be cool to see next year a dynasty with just rookies. Lol

[xiberger]

Game 75: Dodgers (42-32) @ Angels (38-35)

Sparks Of Genius Lift Dodgers Over Halos

Left: Knuckleballer Steve Sparks dominated the Angels; Right: Barry Bonds drives in two in the seventh inning.

After a horrible start into the new season, knuckleball specialist Steve Sparks seems to have finally arrived in the Dodgers' pitching rotation. In the first start since his injury, Sparks completely dominated the Angels, pitching eight shutout innings and striking out six batters. He allowed just three hits and one walk in LA's 6-0 win at Angel Stadium. "I wanted everybody to see that I'm a winner", a smiling Sparks told reporters after the game. "The first months here have been very hard for me, but I've never questioned myself because I know what I'm capable of doing."

The Dodgers took early control, scoring three runs in the opening inning. Kenny Lofton started the game with a double and was driven in by Larry Walker, who hit another two-bagger. "Taking the lead in the first inning is always a good thing because it sets the tone for the rest of the day", Lofton said at the press conference. A fielding error by Angels shortstop Alex Cintron led to LA's second run of the game, and Greg Myers' RBI single made it 3-0 for the visiting team.

In the seventh inning, the Dodgers added to their lead with RBI hits by Barry Bonds and Julio Franco. Sparks was on his way to pitching his third career shutout, but a sore arm made an end to his day after eight fantastic innings. "It was a tough decision, but it was the right one", GM Jim Tracy commented later. Sparks was replaced by Tom Gordon, who retired the heart of Anaheim's lineup without any problems. The win over the Angels was LA's last interleague game of the season.

Boxscore: LAD 6 – ANA 0

[xiberger]

Game 76: Padres (28-48) @ Dodgers (43-32)

Vizquel's Solo Shot Enough For Dodgers

Left: Omar Vizquel smacks the game-winning homer; Right: Ace Roger Clemens pitched seven shutout innings.

A very close game at Dodger Stadium between LA and SD was decided by a single swing. Shortstop Omar Vizquel delivered a two-out home run in the bottom of the sixth inning, lifting his team to a 1-0 victory over the Padres. It was the sixth long ball of the year for Vizquel, who was 2-for-2 on the night. "It's always a great feeling to have scored the game-winning run", the 38-year-old infielder said. "Especially when it's the only run of the game and it comes in the form of a home run, too."

Starting pitcher Roger Clemens pitched seven shutout innings for LA, allowing just five hits and striking out six opposing batters. "I had a great night, but I was at the end of my rope after seven innings", the Rocket said after the game. In the eighth, setup man Tom Gordon took the mound for the home team. Flash struck out pinch hitter Bernie Williams to start the inning and retired the next two Padres on ground balls. He lowered his ERA to an impressive 2.33, which is currently the best mark in LA's bullpen.

In the ninth inning, the stage was all set for Trevor Hoffman to close the game. However, he once more struggled getting the three final outs. SD's Moises Alou opened the frame with a single and he advanced to third base on Adam Melhuse's one-out hit. With runners on the corners and two outs left, Michael Cuddyer hit an infield pop-up that was caught by second baseman Craig Biggio. Jody Gerut stepped up to the plate, but the Friar could not get the job done as Hoffman struck him out to end a thrilling battle.

Boxscore: SD 0 – LAD 1

[Bondownage]

This looks very good and I applaud you on your hard work. Keep up the solid work!

[xiberger]

Game 77: Padres (28-49) @ Dodgers (44-32)

Friars Rally Against Hoffman For Comeback Win

Left: B. Williams scores the go-ahead run in the ninth inning; Right: B. Bonds rips his 16th home run of the year.

The Padres may be last in the division, but they are far from being dead already. For eight innings, the Dodgers appeared to be the undisputed winners as they held the opposing side scoreless for the 27th inning in a row. However, three runs by SD in the ninth turned the game around. Placido Polanco, Jermaine Dye, Moises Alou, and Justin Morneau hit consecutive singles to tie the game, and Michael Cuddyer drove in the go-ahead run with another single. In the end, SD won 3-2 at Dodger Stadium.

Greg Maddux, who had started the game for the home team, could not pick up his fourth win of the season because he let the tying run get on base in the ninth inning. Prior to that, Maddux pitched perfectly for eight innings, allowing only five hits for the Friars while striking out as many batters. "I wanted my first shutout of the year", Maddux stated afterwards. "Sadly, it didn't work and sorta backfired." Closer Trevor Hoffman replaced Maddux on the mound in the ninth, but he could not keep the Padres in check and suffered his fifth loss of 2005.

Although the Dodgers did not have much to celebrate after the game, Barry Bonds seemed very much relieved after having recorded his 16th home run. The slugger had gone 24 (!) straight games without a long ball, one of the worst streaks of his entire career. "I had almost forgotten how good it feels to hit one out of the park", Bonds was joking at the press conference. His solo blast in the seventh inning and Larry Walker's RBI single in the eighth were the only runs for LA that night.

Boxscore: SD 3 – LAD 2

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Game 78: Padres (29-49) @ Dodgers (44-33)

Padres Prevail Over Dodgers In 11-Inning Shutout

Left: Jermaine Dye makes an amazing catch at the wall; Right: Jay Gibbons was 4-for-5 with an RBI against LA.

Two days after suffering a shutout at Dodger Stadium, the Padres struck back by blanking the Dodgers in a gripping extra-inning affair. In the eleventh inning, SD scored three times against the home team to win the game 3-0. Jay Gibbons, who had four hits on the day, opened the scoring with an RBI single. Adam Melhuse also singled in a run, and Michael Cuddyer added to the lead with a sacrifice fly. All runs came off relief pitcher Mike Fetters, who suffered his second loss in as many appearances for LA.

Shane Reynolds started on the mound for the Dodgers, filling in for the injured Kenny Rogers. He tossed 6 2/3 outstanding innings in which he recorded three strikeouts. His opponent, SD's southpaw Cliff Lee, was even better, striking out five batters over eight innings. In the bottom of the ninth, the Dodgers had a good chance of walking off with the win. They had runners on first and second base with no outs, but Julio Franco was picked off at second, and both Benito Santiago and Jose Vizcaino could not deliver.

LA only had five hits against the opposing pitchers, resulting in one of the bitterest defeats of the year. "It was one of those days when we could've played on for three more hours without scoring a single run", an angry GM Jim Tracy said at the press conference. "But now we need to let this game behind us and focus on the challenges that are ahead of us." Next up for Tracy's team is a three-game series at home against the D'backs, followed by a four-game set in Colorado.

Boxscore: SD 3 – LAD 0

[janitor06]

Can you post the current NL West standings?

[xiberger]

Can you post the current NL West standings?

I'm posting stats and standings every ten games, so you'll have to wait until game #80 (vs. Arizona).

[xiberger]

Game 79: Diamondbacks (46-34) @ Dodgers (44-34)

LA Tops Arizona In Dodger Stadium Slugfest

Left: Outfielder Barry Bonds hit his 17th home run of the season; Right: Starter Kevin Brown snares a line drive.

Four home runs paved the way for the Dodgers' triumph over the D'backs. The visitors from Arizona took the lead in the first inning on a fielding error by LA's shortstop Omar Vizquel. Larry Walker tied the game for the Dodgers in the bottom of the inning with an RBI single that scored leadoff hitter Eric Young from second base. In the third, Barry Bonds connected for a two-run shot to give the home team the lead, but Felipe Lopez's home run in the fourth brought Arizona within a single run.

After Vinny Castilla had started the bottom of the fourth inning with a single, Benito Santiago hit another two-run homer, making it 5-2 for the Dodgers. Bonds added to the lead with an RBI single in the fifth, but the D'backs scored twice in the sixth. Craig Biggio's home run in the bottom of the inning, and Castilla's long ball in the seventh restored LA's four-run lead. "Every time they [the Diamondbacks] put pressure on us, we seemed to come up with just the right answer", Castilla said later.

Pinch hitter Brad Hawpe gave Arizona some hope by hitting the game's sixth home run in the eighth inning. With two outs, he connected for the third two-run shot of the day, but the Dodgers replied instantly. Walker singled in Biggio in the very next frame for the final score of 9-6. LA's Kevin Brown recorded his seventh win of the year, and closer Trevor Hoffman earned his 23rd save by retiring the opposing side in the ninth.

Boxscore: ARI 6 – LAD 9

[xiberger]

Game 80: Diamondbacks (46-35) @ Dodgers (45-34)

Splendid Sparks Destroys Dizzy D'backs

Left: B.J. Surhoff goes yard in the third inning; Right: Starting pitcher Steve Sparks threw eight shutout innings.

A huge opening inning helped the Dodgers beat the Diamondbacks, 8-3. The home team scored six runs in the first against Arizona's starter Al Leiter. Julio Franco opened the scoring with an RBI ground ball, despite being thrown out at first base. Right fielder B.J. Surhoff then came through with a bases-loaded double that drove in a couple. Benito Santiago followed with another RBI two-bagger, and Craig Biggio capped a fantastic start into the game with his twelfth home run of the year. "I'm on fire at the moment", the second baseman was all smiles after the game.

Steve Sparks started on the mound for the Dodgers and the knuckleball pitcher continued his outstanding performance over the last few weeks. Sparks pitched eight shutout innings against the D'backs, recording four strikeouts in his fourth win of 2005. "It's easy to win a game when you're given a six-run lead after the first inning", the 40-year-old told reporters after the game. "Still, I'm very satisfied with the way I'm playing right now. At the beginning of the season, I made too many mistakes, but now I'm more concentrated and it pays off."

In the third inning, Surhoff smacked a solo shot out of the park, his second long ball of the year. Santiago then got on base with his second double of the night and Biggio's RBI single allowed him to score LA's eighth run. The D'backs finally got on the board in the ninth when Felipe Lopez singled in Aaron Rowand from second. Adrian Gonzalez managed to drive in two more on another bases-loaded hit, but the visitors could not prevent the second straight defeat at Dodger Stadium.

Boxscore: ARI 3 – LAD 8

[xiberger]

Standings, Stats & Scores:

Hall of Fame: SP Steve Sparks

Hall of Shame: SS Jose Vizcaino

[GEOLINK]

very nice.

[xiberger]

Game 81: Diamondbacks (46-36) @ Dodgers (46-34)

D'backs Rally Late To Avoid Sweet Sweep

Left: LF T. Long scores the go-ahead run for Arizona; Right: 2B C. Biggio went yard in all of his last three games.

The Dodgers could not complete the sweep of the Diamondbacks as they lost the final game of the series, 2-3. Roger Clemens tossed a little over seven innings, allowing just two runs on eight hits while striking out six batters. His opponent, Arizona's left-hander Mike Hampton, pitched six innings on the mound, also giving up two runs. "I felt pretty good today", Clemens said after the game. "The game didn't end as I expected, but nonetheless, I'm happy with my performance."

In the third inning, Arizona took the first lead of the game on Vernon Wells' two-out home run. The solo shot was the center fielder's 20th long ball of the year. LA tied the game in the fourth when Craig Biggio connected for his 13th home run. The second baseman, who batted fifth for the first time of the season, has now homered in three straight games. "He's really on a roll right now, so I moved him up and put Julio [Franco] in the eight spot", GM Jim Tracy commented on Biggio.

Barry Bonds blasted a monstrous 479 feet home run in the sixth inning to give LA a 2-1 lead. In the eighth, Clemens was replaced by Tom Gordon after giving up a game-tying RBI single to Wells. Flash managed to retire the side without further damage, but the D'backs scored the go-ahead run in the ninth off closer Trevor Hoffman. Luis Castillo's single down the right field line allowed Terrence Long to score from second base. The Dodgers could not strike back and Hoffman suffered his sixth loss of 2005.

Boxscore: ARI 3 – LAD 2

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Game 82: Dodgers (46-35) @ Rockies (46-36)

Magnificent Moyer Does It All For Rockies

Left: LF Pedro Feliz connects for a two-run shot; Right: Colorado's SP Jamie Moyer celebrates after the big win.

Rockies pitcher Jamie Moyer almost single-handedly defeated the Dodgers in a 9-1 shellacking of the visitors at Coors Field. Moyer pitched all nine innings, thus recording his first complete game of the year. The southpaw allowed just two hits for LA while striking out a total of seven opposing batters. Greg Maddux, who started the game for the Dodgers, had his worst outing of 2005. He gave up a season-high eight runs on eleven hits over 6 1/3 innings. Maddux refused to talk to the press after the game.

Colorado started the game with three runs in the first inning. Pedro Feliz, Chipper Jones, and Luis Gonzalez hit back-to-back-to-back doubles, and Jim Thome drove in another run with an RBI single. Feliz homered in the second inning, making it 5-0 for the home team. In the fourth, the Dodgers recorded both their hits and their only run of the game. Craig Biggio's single down the middle allowed Omar Vizquel to score from second base.

Moyer not only dominated the opposing side from the mound, but also proved that he knows how to swing the bat. His two-out single in the sixth inning off Maddux scored Todd Greene for Colorado's sixth run of the day. The Rockies added to the lead in the seventh by scoring three more runs against Maddux and relief pitcher Buddy Groom. "Today's game was a catastrophe", Barry Bonds said. "Maybe it was the thin air here in Denver, but that's still a poor excuse for our horrible performance."

Boxscore: LAD 1 – COL 9

[xiberger]

Game 83: Dodgers (46-36) @ Rockies (47-36)

Dodgers Win Thanks To Fourth Inning Explosion

Left: Jose Vizcaino drives in two runs with a single; Right: Starter Shane Reynolds pitched four shutout innings.

A fantastic fourth inning provided the Dodgers with enough runs to easily claim the win in the second game of a four-game series against the Rockies. LA scored seven times on eight hits to take an undisputed 8-0 lead after four. Shortstop Jose Vizcaino and outfielder Barry Bonds each drove in two runs. The visiting team did not only shine offensively, but also displayed strong pitching. Starter Shane Reynolds pitched four innings in which he did not allow a single run for the Rockies.

After four innings, Reynolds was replaced by left-hander Mark Guthrie. The relief pitcher gave up a two-run homer to Colorado's Chipper Jones in the fifth. After that, Guthrie dominated the home team, despite surrendering another long ball to pinch hitter Todd Greene in the seventh. Guthrie stayed on the mound for three innings, thus recording his fifth win of the year. "I didn't have my best day, but as long as we win the game, everything's all right", the hurler stated at the press conference.

In the meanwhile, rumors are flying about a possible blockbuster move involving starting pitcher Greg Maddux. The Mad Dog has supposedly asked LA's management for a trade after suffering a devastating loss in Denver one day ago. GM Jim Tracy did not want to comment on the matter. "Let's no talk about things like that now", Tracy said after LA's latest win. "I'm proud of my team's performance today, and that's it."

Boxscore: LAD 8 – COL 3

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Game 84: Dodgers (47-36) @ Rockies (47-37)

Hoffman Struggles Again In The Ninth Inning

Left: Fred McGriff hits his first homer of the year; Right: Austin Kearns scores the game-winning run in the ninth.

LA's closer Trevor Hoffman continued his current struggle in game three against the Rockies. With the game tied at 2-2, he took the mound for LA in the bottom of the ninth, but could not get the third out to end the frame. After Chipper Jones struck out and Vincent Sinisi flied out, Hoffman gave up three consecutive two-out singles to Austin Kearns, Jim Thome, and Henry Blanco. Kearns scored from second base on Blanco's hit to left field, thus recording the game-winning run for Colorado.

The loss was Hoffman's seventh of the year and his third in only eight days, a fact not only the closer, but also his manager, Jim Tracy, was clearly not happy with. "From a guy with his talent and experience, I'm expecting a lot more", Tracy said about Hoffman. "One thing's for sure, I'm not going to put him into a tie situation anytime soon". According to Hoffman, the decline in quality of his appearances is related to general fatigue. "I can't wait for the All-Star break to come", the closer declared.

In the third inning, Jason Conti opened the scoring for the Rockies. His solo shot off LA's starter Kevin Brown was the center fielder's ninth of the year. The Dodgers remained silent until the eighth when pinch hitter Fred McGriff smacked a two-run home run off relief pitcher Frank Francisco. McGriff's first long ball of 2005 gave LA a one-run lead with only two more innings to go. However, Clint Barmes tied the game in the bottom of the inning with an RBI triple off Tom Gordon, thus setting the stage for the dramatic finale.

Boxscore: LAD 2 – COL 3

[xiberger]

Game 85: Dodgers (47-37) @ Rockies (48-37)

Super Sparks Rocks Rockies At Coors Canaveral

Left: S. Sparks pitched his first complete game of 2005; Right: A. Kearns makes a superb inning-ending catch.

Starting pitcher Steve Sparks only needed 78 pitches to earn his fifth win of the year for the Dodgers. The knuckleballer went the distance against the Rockies at Coors Field, despite giving up a total of twelve hits. Sparks held the opposing side to just two runs and struck out three batters. Colorado took the lead on Luis Gonzalez's RBI single in the first inning, but a big third helped the Dodgers gain control of the game.

Sparks started the third inning by drawing a walk, and Kenny Lofton followed with a single. Shortstop Omar Vizquel then singled to bring Sparks home from second base and tie the game. Larry Walker's sacrifice fly to left field allowed Lofton to score easily from third. Vizquel was driven in by Biggio's double, and Vinny Castilla capped a five-run inning with a two-run double. Catcher Greg Myers added to the lead in the fifth by singling in Biggio from second.

Colorado's starter Curt Shilling only lasted 4 2/3 innings on the mound before being pulled for reliever Dave Coggin. Shilling surrendered six runs on eight hits while striking out four batters. In the bottom of the ninth inning, pinch hitter Aaron Miles homered off Sparks for the final score of 6-2 for the Dodgers. "A couple of days ago, I had already been very close to pitching my first complete game, but today I finally accomplished it", a smiling Sparks stated at the press conference.

Boxscore: LAD 6 – COL 2

[xiberger]

Game 86: Dodgers (48-37) @ Astros (39-46)

Long Balls Sink Dodgers At Houston

Left: Benito Santiago was 3-for-4 with a home run; Right: Houston's Javy Lopez goes yard in the second inning.

The Dodgers dropped the opener of a three-game series against the Astros, 3-8. Texas native Roger Clemens started for LA, but he did not have his best day on the mound. The Rocket pitched seven innings in which he gave up five runs on six hits. Barry Bonds drove in the first run of the game with a two-out RBI double in the first inning. Houston's catcher Javy Lopez homered off Clemens in the bottom of the second to tie the game.

Derek Jeter's two-run blast in the third inning put the home team on top. In the fourth, the Dodgers were able to cut Houston's lead to a single run when Benito Santiago connected for his fifth home run of the season. The Astros were too strong for the Californians, though, scoring two more runs in the bottom of the inning. LA gained new hope on Santiago's RBI single in the fifth, which brought the Dodgers a bit closer to their opponents.

Houston's Ryan Howard finally broke LA's resistance by going yard in the eighth inning. The first baseman took reliever Roberto Hernandez deep for a three-run blast, thus extending his team's lead to five runs. "Today, we let too many opportunities slip by", Dodgers manager Jim Tracy explained after the game. "When you manage to get 14 hits, you simply have to score more than three meager runs."

Boxscore: LAD 3 – HOU 8