NLCS game-day routine
At least for Game 1. Spent the day doing touristy stuff in Philly with Daily News columnist Steve Dilbeck and Al Balderas of the OC Register. We took the Independence Hall tour, which was interesting, but what I found more interesting was a tour of Congress Hall, which is adjacent to Independence Hall. This was where the first House and Senate chambers were, and we visited both as part of the tour. The House chamber was allegedly where George Washington announced that he wouldn't seek a third term as President, and where John Adams was elected to succeed him (apparently, these things were done a little differently in 1796). Then we ate lunch at City Tavern, this old building where the wait staff dresses in Colonial period attire. It was all so fascinating that I kept forgetting we actually had a baseball game -- and a pretty big one at that -- to cover tonight. But we're all here now, and Citizens Bank Park is all dressed up in the requisite red-white-and-blue bunting. Not a perfect day, just a tinge of smog in the air, and it's expected to be a little cool tonight. But these are the playoffs. It's supposed to be crisp. ... By the way, as predicted here yesterday, Takashi Saito was left off the roster for this series to clear a spot for Hong-Chih Kuo. Broxton is now the unquestioned closer for this club. Makes you wonder whether Saito will even be around next year, giving that he will be 39 and is arbitration-eligible for the first time.
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About Inside the Dodgers
Tony Jackson has covered the Dodgers for
the Daily News since 2004 and has covered Major League Baseball on a
regular basis since 1995. He previously covered the Colorado Rockies
and Cincinnati Reds. He is a native of Springdale, Ark., and a graduate
of the University of Arkansas.
I hope this means that Kuo is really ready and won't blow out his arm by throwing hard.
It also makes me wonder whether Saito really is physically okay and not just a little off balance with his mechanics. I hope if the Dodgers make it to the World Series, that Saito is able to perform to the level of which gives him a spot on the roster. After what he has done for the team the past few years, he deserves a chance to play in the WS before he retires and returns home to Japan.
Broxton will also be arbitration eligible (3 years of service).
Marcel, you're right, but there is no question about them keeping Broxton. There IS a question about them keeping Saito, who will be 39 next Feb.