Ned Colletti Chat

Dodger-Dogs was able to chat briefly with Dodger GM Ned Colletti on Ned's MySpace page. Here is how the chat went.

DD: Ned, why the MySpace site?
NC: It's a great place for me to see what's on the minds of today's youth.

DD: Kind of like a getaway from the baseball grind?
NC: Yep.

DD: Ok, do you mind if we talk a little baseball.
NC: Sure, baseball, football, mustaches, you name it.

DD: Mustaches?
NC: I'm a huge mustache fan!

DD: What constitutes a huge mustache fan?
NC: A mustache is like a fine wine. It gets better with age, and goes well with red meat.

DD: Excuse me! Baseball please!!
NC: Sure.

DD: The Juan Pierre signing, who dropped the ball on that one?
NC: Dropped the ball, what do you mean?

DD: It was a really bad signing. I mean, 5 years! I can see giving up all kinds of money, as salaries have gone crazy this year. But do the Dodgers really need five years of Juan Pierre?
NC: The guy has a ring.

DD: So do I.
NC: I'm not talking mood rings. I'm talking World Series bling-bling.

DD: Well, David Eckstein has two bling-blings.
NC: We tried to trade for him.

DD: You tried to trade for David Eckstein? Why would you want to do that.
NC: More bling-bling of course.

DD: Oh yeah, the bling-bling.
NC: The Cardinals told us the World Series MVP was off limits.

DD: Thank god!
NC: Your welcome.

DD: Do you plan on using Juan Pierre as your leadoff hitter?
NC: Of course, that's the plan. Just think of all the runs we will score with Juan getting on base and stealing second base and even third base.

DD: Too bad he can't steal first base.
NC: That's against the rules.

DD: Yeah I know, but too bad.
NC: Yeah, I guess so.

DD: Jason Schmidt, what does this guy bring to the table?
NC: Jason's great and a big mustache fan.

DD: Jason has a mustache?
NC: Nope. He's just a big fan. Do you have a problem with that?

DD: Of course not. Just don't see why you'd mention it.
NC: It's a free country.

DD: Some people think you loaded up on starting pitching for the purpose of trading it later for a big bat. Is there any truth to this?
NC: You can never have too much starting pitching. I mean, remember what happened to Crapodesta when he ran the club into the ground with all the injuries.

DD: He won a division title.
NC: So did I!!!

DD: Well, technically you were the wild-card.
NC: Try telling that to my face!

DD: So you just want to have alot of depth, in case a couple of the starting pitchers goes down with an injury?
NC: Hold on, I see Nomar is online.

DD: Nomar Garciappara?
NC: Yeah, but it's probably just Mia pretending to be Nomar.

DD: Mia pretends to be Nomar?
NC: Yeah, she wants to see if he is going Derek Lowe on her.

DD: Oh, that's not good.
NC: Yeah tell me. The other night she calls me up on my cellphone at 2AM and asks me if it's ok with me if she travels with the team.

DD: Isn't it common for wives to travel with the team.
NC: Only if they are big mustache fans.

DD: Well this is an interesting interview. One last question.
NC: Yep.

DD: What is your philosophy concerning all the talent the Dodger have in their farm system. Do you believe in giving them significant playing time?
NC: I don't really trust young and inexperienced players. In San Francisco, we always won with veterans. I am against "on the job training". That's why I signed guys like Pierre-bling, Nomar, Gonzo and Randy Wolf.

DD: Any last words?
NC: Yes, like the saying in our front office always goes. Once a Dodger, always a Devil Ray.

DD: Thanks for your time. Good luck this season.
NC: Buh-Bye.