Time not on Web site's side
by Tom Hoffarth
Los Angeles Daily News
October 11, 2004

At DodgerBlues.com, the alternative Web site that "celebrates the futility, disappointment and humor" of the team, a counter marks off the number of days, hours and minutes since the last great Dodgers moment -- Kirk Gibson's game-winning homer in the 1988 World Series.

And following the Dodgers' elimination from the postseason on Sunday night, the counter will continue, according to the site's disgruntled Web master.

"If you're satisfied just winning the division and consider that a great accomplishment, you're not much of a fan," he wrote.

Regardless, before Game 4 of the Dodgers-Cardinals series, a poll on the site asked voters: What would classify as a moment great enough to replace Gibson's home run (and thus, eliminate the counter)?

Winning with 51 percent of the vote: Dodgers win the World Series. Second, with 36 percent: Jason Grabowski makes contact. ...

The flip side to Milton Bradley's outrageous behavior over the course of this season: Twice he was clearly on the wrong end of umpire calls in Sunday's game. TV replays showed he made a diving catch in right field in the fourth inning (ruled a drop) and then beat out a grounder in the seventh inning (ruled out). Could Bradley afford to even show the slightest bit that he was upset with either call? Are the umps not giving him the benefit of the doubt? Why didn't Jim Tracy even come out of the dugout to protest? ...

Some suggest the key offseason move for the Dodgers and Angels is to simply swap outfielders Bradley and Jose Guillen. That would be like changing brands of aspirin from Excedrin to Tylenol. ...

Wonder where the Dodgers got the idea to hand out Thunder Stix for Sunday's game? ...

In the current "Best of L.A." issue, L.A. Weekly writer Greg Burk explains the best way "to be poor and wasted during a Dodgers game" involves taking advantage of the team's supposed lack of security outside the stadium confines. Though there are signs posted clearly stating that tailgating is not allowed, Burk writes: "Despite the cruising Dodgers Inc. spies, you can definitely get away with smoking hash in the parking lot, which should float you through at least the sixth" inning. "Plus: An intravenous injection of methamphetamine will keep you cranking for the whole game." Uh, yeah, super. We'll keep that in mind for next season. ...

Stephen King has co-authored a book about the Boston Red Sox called "Faithful." He had to pick that title since he's already used "Misery." ...

Since the Angels fell short in their series against the Red Sox, Anaheim mayor Curt Pringle has to send Boston mayor Thomas Menino a crate of oranges, a crate of Anaheim chili peppers, a bottle of California red wine and a keg of local pale ale. Had the Angels somehow triumphed, Pringle would have received four lobsters, 36 steamer clams, four pints of New England clam chowder, 11 pounds of coffee and 11 Boston Kreme doughnuts. And no spare left-handed relievers. ...

The worst athlete you'd want to endorse a product? Kobe Bryant, according to 14.8 percent of the people who made him No. 1 in response to an ESPN Sports Poll, published in a recent Sports Business Daily issue. Finishing second and third were Dennis Rodman (8.9 percent) and Shaquille O'Neal (7.5 percent), ahead of Mike Tyson (4.8 percent) and O.J. Simpson (2.9 percent). ...

Just so you know, the Los Angeles City Council unanimously endorsed a proposal last week to seek to host the 2016 Summer Olympics. The city has actually bid for the Olympics at least 10 times (winning twice), but most of us have stopped keeping track of such things. ...

Next Friday at Lowe's Motor Speedway: The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie 300. Or as Squidward would say, "Can we lower the volume please?"