Scott Elbert optioned to Chattanooga

Prediction: These "viable" veterans that Tony is clamoring for will NOT be improvements. It's one thing to pitch effectively against AAA hitters in New Orleans (minor league pitchers' paradise). Good luck trying to throw their fringy stuff past big leaguers in a real ballpark.

Welcome home boys! Welcome back Weaver!
Emma
http://crzblue.mlblogs.com/

Marcel: New Orleans may well be a pitchers' paradise, but Milton, Weaver et al, have also had to pitch many hitters' paradises (including the home stadium in Albuquerque). I'm not saying they should or shouldn't be promoted, but you can't make the argument based solely on performances at Zephyr Stadium, just like you can't make it on performances at "The Lab," Isotopes Stadium. Milton also pitched a gem in Des Moines vs. the I-Cubs.

ABQDodger:

Iowa also slants towards pitchers (although not as heavily as NO).

Secondly, Milton has given up plenty of runs in his home park (which was predictable). Once he's able to throw shutout starts *there*, then maybe he'd be worthwhile. Right now, he's a pure retread of the Scott Erickson variety and will get pummeled if Dodger management is foolish enough to purchase his contract.

Milton will pitch in the upcoming homestand vs. Round Rock and vs. Oklahoma City. So we'll see how he performs. Perhaps he'll stink it up like he did in the previous home stand. But maybe he's found his groove and will pitch better.

Because the jury is still out, I don't advocate calling him up at this point. But I'm also agonizing over the fact that McDonald, Stults, Kershaw are also getting pummeled. So what's the solution? Keep sending them out there? Perhaps Kershaw, but not Stults and McDonald. Even in the games that McDonald has survived, his pitch selection and control have been suspect.

Sign Pedro Martinez or Mark Mulder? I'm not comfortable with that.

Yes, keep sending them out there.

As opposed to what? Sending Shawn Estes out there?

Safe to say the James McDonald audition is over?

Great job by Weaver.1BB, 3K. Is this the 3rd time JMack fails to complete 3 innings? I am at the stadium.

Hey, Tony.
I've never commented on your blog but I wanted to let you know that it was by far my favorite blogs. I would always check your blog first for any Dodger news. So, when i heard on Dodger Talk that you wouldn't be with your paper any more i was truly disappointed. Good luck and I hope you turn up some where soon.

Tony, just heard the news about you getting laid off. So very sorry to hear it. I enjoy your work very much and reading your blog was a daily ritual of mine. Hope we haven't heard the last from you in LA. Good luck.

we'll miss you tony...

What? He's getting laid off? Where the hell do I get news now wtf

Tony, I created an account just to thank you for the great reporting you have done for us on the Dodgers. I wish you the best on your future endeavors.

Frankly, I am getting tired of losing the people in this industry that are actually good at their jobs. I hope you are given another outlet to do your reporting, because you deserve it. You are extremely personable and always answer questions when asked. Plus, you offer some opinion and let us know a little about you, which a lot of writers do not.

Thank you for all you have done for us,
Andrew

Tony,

I also heard the news of your layoff when Josh Suchon said it on Dodgertalk. This is truly unfortunate. I may have given you a hard time occasionally, but I have always appreciated your writing, both in the Daily News and on this blog, and the insights you provided us with your access as one of the beat writers. As Andrew said above, you are good at your job and it is distressing that that is not enough.

Good luck with the next phase of your career. We will miss you until you reappear on our radars.

Dave.

Ironically it is blogs like this and our demand as readers for the most accessible and immediate feedback possible that is leading to the lay-offs in the newspaper industry. After all, why buy the Daily News and pay Tony's salary when you can read his blog for free? I know I don't pay for any newspapers and get all the news I could ever want faster than if I went and bought a paper.

Tony, you are the only writer I ever trusted for my Dodgers news. I wish you well. Good luck.

You gotta be kidding me. Tony, the Daily News just lost another subscriber. I'm sure you'll catch on somewhere else. Thanks for the fun times.

As GScott put it so eloquently above: "Tony, you are the only writer I ever trusted for my Dodgers news."

Tony!
I am so very sad to hear the news. Your positive and encouraging take on the Dodgers has been my first read every morning...! And many times throughout the day.
No matter what, you made my day! I love your ability to write intricate details of this amazing game, of this incredible team, while being witty and entertaining and, often, with jokes I felt were directed just to me.
You made us feel 'on the inside' of what was going on. And you love this game. Just like we do.

I especially appreciated your 'play by play' as you watched Camelback being built. The day they put the lights up, I envied you sitting in your new home with what I felt must be the best view in the world.
You are missed already.

I work at a fabulous hotel in Southern California. If you need a few days away to relax and regroup, let me know. I'd love to offer you my friends and family rate, as you have been such a good friend to so many of us for so long.
Looking forward to what's next for Tony Jackson,
Julie
julieannhibbard@yahoo.com

This layoff is just awful news. I rarely commented here, but I read this blog each and every day all year long. Thank you for all of your great work, humor and insight on the team over the years, Tony. I assure you, it isn't just lip service when I say you will be sorely missed. Best of luck to you, my man.

OH NO!! Tony: I will miss reading you here and on the paper. I will no longer get this paper. I had this blog in my favorite links on my blog and always clicked from there. Tony: I will miss seeing you and talking to you at the stadium and on the road. You are a very personable person. The best of luck to you. I will sorely miss reading your columns and the blog. Like I said, I am done with this paper.
Emma
http://crzblue.mlblogs.com/

Tony... I'm absolutely shocked to see you're gone! The good a public relations man that Josh Rawich is, I got tired of his "toe the company line" blog rather quickly and your page filled the void. Your news was prompt, you kept us informed, and you never failed to give your opinion even when it wasn't always the "popular" one. Thank you so much for your time and devotion to this page. You deserve better. Now where will we go?!!?

You'll be greatly missed, Tony. You're a class act and your next employer will greatly benefit from having you. The Daily News was a small time operation anyway. Wishing you the very best!

I, too, have been an infrequent poster but multiple daily reader of your blog, Tony. You have been a ray of sunshine in the otherwise dreary world of Dodger reporting, and we will miss you terribly. I had the pleasure to meet and chat with you in Vero Beach last February, and was thrilled to be able to put the person with the writer. I know you'll find a new venue quickly, and hope you're able to find a way to let all of us know where you are. Since I'm far away from SoCal in Ohio, perhaps you can let me know by email: ebbetsfld@gmail.com
Take care, be well, and keep the faith!

Tony. What a bummer! Perhaps I precipitated this by reading your blog instead of the Daily News online.
We're losing all the quality Dodger reporters. First Diamond Leung. And now you. We'll miss your reports Best wishes.

Let me echo everyone else's sentiments and add an "Oh crap!" of my own. Take care Tony, and please let us know where you land.

Tony -- an absolute shock to hear of your layoff, one which makes me terribly sad. Your reporting on the Dodgers has been terrific, and I can only take this as a sign that the LANG is near to Chapter 7. Best of luck to you and your family in these dreadful times.

Sad? - Yes

Shocked? - No

That's the state of the newspaper industry these days.

Best of luck Tony.

Tony
I too must add to the list of shocked well-wishers. I always clicked on your blog first thing every morning and was rarely disappointed and usually always entertained.

Can't believe they are letting you go in April of a baseball season. Things must be really tough there!

You will be sadly missed, yet we know you will be back to us soon. Good luck and great thanks!

Hi Tony,

I too was one that gave you the business every now and then for your republican leaning ways, but your reporting on the Dodgers was top notch and I will miss clicking the link on my toolbar, dead center of the browser, and reading the latest update on my beloved Blue.

This really brings things down to earth and sheds truth on the sad fact that despite the fan's desire to own the essence of the Dodgers, and this includes Vin Scully, Ross Porter, Tony Jackson, etc.., this is all a business and it can be taken from us in a heartbeat. It saddens me that the bottom line is more important than the public good and trust, but then again, why should baseball be different than anything else?

Again, you will be missed Tony and the next paper, blog, magazine, or baseball team to hire will lucky to have you. We in Los Angeles will truly envy those lucky readers as well.

P.S. - If possible, please keep/add me to an email list so that I may receive and update on your whereabouts.

Enrique Arteaga
earteaga31@gmail.com

Tony Jackson laid off--Snuffy02 revenge! You shouldn't have messed with the snuffster--another Vero Beach Curse victim bites the dust, but I will miss you Tony. Best of luck.

Tony,

I read a *lot* of blogs, and your blog wasn't just the best baseball blog, it was the one of the best blogs, *period*.

I don't live in LA and have never bought the Daily News, which is probably part of the problem, but I would have happily paid a subscription fee just for your blog.

You get exactly how to write a blog and how it compliments the match reports and stories that you wrote for the main paper.

If you catch on somewhere else let us know. I'd read your writing on any team not just the Dodgers.

Best of luck.

Tony:

This totally sucks. Hope you're back writing sports soon.. Went bike riding with Tina Burch today who just took the buyout and we were wondering when it would all end.. Good luck, really enjoy your reporting, I've learned a lot about baseball!

Bill

laid off? Well, ummm...that just flat sucks! I finally find a "commercial Dodger's blog where not only is the author great and accurate, the posters know the game. And now ya up and leave...you bastard, you killed Kenny!! hehehe...sorry, humor is my coping mechanism. ;)

Dude, screw 'em...just start your own sports reporting news group. I am sure there are enough of your fellow reporters who are out there and would be interested in a from ground zero thing. I know the reporters from the Santa Barbara News Depressed did the same basic thing thanks to a horrid owner and did well for themselves. Retain that access to the game and move it to the web the right way. Tag team coverage can eliminate the travel needs and expenses if you get enough people involved. I'm only half-joking here...

Otherwise, thanks for the short time I have come here to read excellent commentary, and forever will be imprinted in my brain is the great Camelback Hot Dog Condiment Conspiracy. I STILL chuckle over that one and will probably do so until I croak.

tony,
you have been AMAZING.. i will miss reading your insights and information.. i doubt i will ever understand why they would do this to you, and in the middle of a season.. but i know you'll bounce back.. you're an incredible reporter and i have truly enjoyed reading you for the past couple years.. i wish you all the best.. take care..

Tony,

We'll really miss your reporting. Your blog was literally the first thing I read most days. I'm certain you'll land on your feet.

I love how these media companies seem to think that the answer to their problems is less content.

Best,

Brian

Hi Tony,

I've never commented here before, but I wanted to thank you for all of the time and energy you have put into this blog. Visiting this site is as much a morning ritual for me as brushing my teeth and putting my shoe on the right foot first. That may sound silly, but I love my Dodgers, and this has always been the best place to get information about the team, thanks entirely to the time and energy you put into keeping us informed.

So, a huge thank you to you for all that you've done over the years. I hope you're not out of work for long, and that the next job is as good or better than this one (and hopefully that you're not writing for the Giants).

Good luck,
- Scott
Winnetka, CA

Just wanted to chime in about the news about Tony. Many, many thanks for all of the hard work that you've put in... this was always the first place that I'd look for any Dodger news. It's things like this that really remind me how hard the newspaper industry is getting hit... Here's an article on Tony's release (and a pretty funny picture of him passed out in the dugout at Shea Stadium). http://www.viewfrommyseats.com/?p=1382

Best of luck Tony! I'm sure we'll be seeing you around soon! :-)

Tony,

I'm not a commenter usually, but I have read your blog pretty regularly for a while now. I'm very sorry to hear about your termination. It's really sad that newspapers, in their last dying gasp for life, rid their pages of the content that brought readers there the first place. Your former bosses and other newspaper heads really screwed the pooch with the internet explosion and their outdated beliefs on what news was and will be sealed their industry's fate.
I really enjoyed your site. It was the first place I went to for Dodger news. Short, concise snippets of the games I can't watch here in San Diego were perfect. You gave me the highlights in word form. I really hope you continue the blog in some fashion. Best of luck to you in the next step.

Tony,

I really enjoyed reading your blog. You were an excellent beat writer and provided us Dodger fans with great news. It's really sad to see you go. Hope you can find some work elsewhere (and soon). Good luck to you.

This sucks man. I wish you the best. I always appreciated your blog, and honesty when covering the Dodgers. Take care, and at the very least take pride in the fact that you have had an awesome job, and experienced some great things while doing just that. And I'm sure you'll have no problem finding work again.

So now the question lies, where does this blog go from here and who will be covering the Dodgers for the Daily News? There's no info on their website.

As GScott said: "Tony, you are the only writer I ever trusted for my Dodgers news."

I just created account to wish you luck. I'm sure someone will catch on soon

This is terrible news. The Daily News has already lost so many great journalists in the last couple of years, and now this.

Tony, thank you for the great Dodgers coverage. The blog has been a must-read for fans, and the stories in the paper have been really top-notch. You have a great way of turning a standard game piece into a rich story about a theme or a personality, and it's always been really enjoyable to read.

Best of luck to you in the future, and best of luck to everyone who's left at the Daily News, striving against all odds to make the most of a wretched situation.

wtf, now where do I get my news from? None of the other sites give me as much info as this one.

Like so many others, this has been the first place I've gone to get my Dodger updates. The cream rises to the top, so I have no doubt that you will come out of this standing tall on both feet. It wouldn't surprise me in the least if this turns out to be a serendipitous event, and you move on to bigger and better things. Best of luck!

Hey Tony, we loved reading your posts over at DailySportsPages.com

Lots of die-hard Dodgers fans who will really miss the work you do for the city of LA and the Dodgers.

If you ever want to stop buy and say hello to some of your Dodgersfans readers, scome visit our dodger forum.
http://www.dailysportspages.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=32

Anyhow, thanks for all your good contributions to the Azul... your work will be missed.

Tony,

I wish you all the best. I read your blog first thing in the morning, all year round. I'm very sorry, but not shocked.. I enjoyed all your writing, even when I disagreed with it. Take good care.