We had different plans, so this is frustrating
When you lose all three games, you can play the what-if game if you’d like, but when you drop all three, it’s no fluke. I mean, it’s frustrating for everybody. You kind of look back and wonder if I had done this differently or done that differently, if the series could have swung in our favor. Everyone takes it to heart when you get swept like this, but at the end of the day, it’s pretty clear: the Mets were the better team, and there’s no getting around that or disputing the fact.
To not win one game is frustrating, because you wonder if we could have gotten some momentum what could have happened. But they got off to an early lead. Yeah, there were balls, obviously, not hit hard, but they got hits and they got runs. 
So now our season is over, but you don’t get something like this taste out of your mouth overnight. It takes a lot longer than people think, especially if you watch baseball like I will, and I think it’s good to watch and see what happens and use it as a motivational tool.
Then, once the World Series is over, you give yourself time to unwind and get your mind away from it, and before you know it, the offseason goes by so fast that you start working out again.
I think we did so many good things, and upstairs they did so many things to give us an opportunity to win -- and they’ll do everything they can to continue that this winter. This isn’t where they ultimately wanted to get to. They want to win a World Series. This was just step one and we all want to go further. This series doesn’t just motivate players, it motivates an ownership. In the end, it didn’t work out, and they’re going to retool and give us whatever it is we need.
But this sure is a frustrating way for it to come to an end.
Hey man, stinks that yall lost. I'm a Cardinals fan, but I hate the Mets so I was rooting for you. Next year maybe yall can get it done...good luck man.
-Brady
http://inthecards.mlblogs.com
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True it was a tough loss and after seeing what you guys did all season it was hard to see it come to an end. From the tough losses to the incredible comeback wins, it was truly an amazing season. The tremendous effort the whole team put forth was beyond admirable. Thanks for a great season and here's to a great 2007!
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Derek,
It is frustrating that we did'nt get far into post-season play, but despite our ever changing roster since opening day, we got there. I am a proud of the team that Ned Colleti put together, and I commended him, when I had the opportunity to meet him in SF. I trust that next year our club will be even better. I enjoyed watching the team go through the motions together, but most importantly I LOVED the ROOKIES playing their HEARTS out. My favorite rookies were Andre Ethier, Russell Martin, James Loney and Takashi Saito. As part of the Dodger faithful, I am looking forward to the 2007 season. Cheers to you and your teamates!! I Love LA!!-Eva
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Derek,
Red Sox fan here. really wish you would have stayed. I know it wasnt your choice, but, hey. We still love ya. and you kick *** in my book.
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Derek, I think it's awesome that you took the time to write all of these blogs. I think I have high blood pressure after this season. What a crazy, yet exciting, season. Although we got swept, again, in the first round, what a difference coming from a 71-91 season, to 88-74. The Dodgers should be the Come Back TEAM of the year to go along with Nomar's award. I have confidence that Ned Colleti will fix are weaknesses, hopefully bring some power bats, and send us right back to the playoffs next year, but the results will be different. Hope you enjoy your off season. True Blue Thru and Thru!! Peace!
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Derek,
I just wanna say thank you to you and the whole team. Cause no matter what happen last night, im still and forever will be a dodger fan. I love the dodgers so much that yesterday i found myself crying as the last out was recorded, in part because we didnt make it out of the nlds like we all had hoped for, but mostly because im gonna miss this, going to the games with my family, cherring for you guys and having the biggest smile when we came away with a win, im gonna miss the smell of the stadium and the peanut guy. But, its only 176 days for opening day, so on behalf of every Dodger fan who shed a tear because it hurt to US lose as a team, i say THERE IS ALWAYS NEXT YEAR, thanks once again, and see you in April GO DODGERS!!!!!!!!!!
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Derek
Thanks for the blog and the season. The blog was very thoughtful. Your season was very productive. The new season starts today. Last night's frustration has already been replaced with today's anticipation. The Dodger faithful are looking forward to the off season wheeling and dealing, the continued growth of this year's rookies and spring training. You guys have earned a rest and will come back in February with more resolve than ever. Ned just has to add a few weapons. I think a good team attitude and spirit were developed this year. That had to come first. Have a great off season.
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Derek,
Thanks for the great season. It was a liftime of memories for ALL Dodger fans. Thanks for the work ethic and strength you brought the team. It is veterans like you & Maddux that will be able to help our Future Dodger Players & pitchers be the best they can be. We, like everyone else, are dissappointed in the outcome of the NLDS, but we look forward already to next season. I hope you have a great off-season & come back even stronger than you were this year. Thanks again for the great season.
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Thanks Derek for the blog and the season. Big Dodger fan so I'm going to have to eat some dirt back at work. But I'm really proud of the team to get to the NLDS and I can't wait till next year. Have a great winter and thanks again.
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There should be no bad taste in YOUR mouth, Derek. It's been a pleasure to have you and your attitude and your efforts, and I hope we can keep them for many seasons to come. As the kids come of age, we can only get better, and you will be one of the leaders of the surge to dominance.
I saw that Dave Wallace got fired by the Red Sox. I hope there is someway that the Dodgers can get him back (I'm not criticizing Rick, but it sure would be nice to see Wally reunited with both you and the Dodgers, even though I know he calls New England home.
Have a great hiatus, and an even better season next year. You're a class act and a great example to your teammates and all of us wannabes!
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Derek,
Thanks to you and all the guys for a GREAT season. Although we are disappointed with the outcome of the NLDS, I want to thank all you guys for playing with such heart & soul.
I witnessed many incredible games this season including the 4 solo homers in the bottom of the ninth against the the Padres, the homer in the 10th by Martin to beat the gnats (I mean Giants) and the last regular game of the season.
I have been a true Dodger fan since before I was born and look forward to next season. Thanks for many great memories!! I will forever bleed Dodger Blue.
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D-Lo,
This was my last season at Dodger Stadium because I'm moving to Colorado. There is NO WAY that I am becoming a Rockies fan. I went to over 30 home games this season and I love all you guys! I will never go to the other side! All I wanted before I moved away was to see you guys in the post season one more time, and you did it! You guys played great ball this year. You came up from being in last place and frickin' tied for 1st in the division! I'm very proud of each and every one of you! So what you got swept in the division series....you got there! It wasn't Nomar that got you there, or Kent, or Saito...it was the team. *tear* I'm going to miss you guys and Dodger Stadium. You guys better kick the Rockies ***** next season cuz I'll see you at Coors field!!
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TY Derek for taking time to respond to your fans. As you can see from the response how popular this is. Have a great winter and let's start our preparations for next season.
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Thanks, D-Lowe.
It was an unforgettable season, to say the least. Any plans to continue the blog in the off-season to let us know how things are going? If not, we'll see you on Opening Day.
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Hey Derek,
I truly believed you guys would come back like you always do... and i still can't believe its over. But its ok, I still LOVE you guys and have complete faith in the great team Ned Colleti has put together and you guys have kept strong! I look forward to seeing you guys next season... the amazing rookies who im sure will be doing EVEN better than they did this year (like Russell Martin), the heroics of Kent, Drew, & hopefully Nomar too, and of course your amazing pitching! I see you cheering from the dugout and you are always the first to jump up when something great happens. so thanks for a great season and an even better one to come...
*Evelyn
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Hi Derek,
I am a life-long Dodger fan; always have been and always will be. I absolutely loved watching all of you this year. I love what Ned Colleti with the off- and mid-season changes. I loved to see how Grady Little worked with all the veteran and rookie talents to show a team as resilient as this one. I thank the Dodger organization as a whole (and if you can pass this sentiment to the entire team, I would really appreciate it) for a thoroughly enjoyable 2006 season. If I can ask you just one more favor I want you to specifically thank all of the Dodger rookies for their tremendous play this year. I must admit that Andre Ethier is my favorite but don't get me wrong, I am looking forward to seeing ALL OF THEM for many years in a Dodger uniform. Thanks for this blog and thanks for a great 2006; I look forward to an even greater 2007 season!
Carol
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hey man youve been one of my favorites since u came to the dodgers.it ***** knowing our seasons over but wel get the championship next year. i wanna thank you and the team for all the effort and heart u put in to this season. DODGERS R #1 FOR LIFE
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Hey Derek,
I just wanted to say thanks for an exciting 2006 season. And yes it is very hard to see this ride come to an end but I am sure we all have something great and even more excitiong to look forward to. We've got fantastic rookies as well as vets. and that is always a great combination. I look forward to an upcoming 2007 season and i hope it comes fast. Cant wait to see you and the rest of the team back at Chavez Ravine. Thanks for the great season and I'll see you guys in the Spring.
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You did YOUR part, unlike some of your teammates who didn't show up to play and some who couldn't show up to play because they had other things on their minds before the playoffs. Anyway, next year the team has nowhere to go but up. I'll be counting down the days until you make your 3rd straight opening dad start for us.
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D-Lowe,
Thanks for your kind words to the LA fans and also thanks for all of your hard work this season. You had a great year and your second half was really Cy Young worthy.
Things definitely didn't end up how we wanted them to, but there were a LOT of great surprises this year that helped get the team to where they were.
Here's to next year!
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Like Kalhil Gibran says
"When you are joyous, look deep into your heart and you shall find it is only that which has given you sorrow that is giving you joy.
When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight."
Oh, yes, it was a rollercoaster of Joys and Sorrows but it was a great ride!. Thank you players for providing us with the thrills and since they go hand in hand, we'll take the sorrows too.
I was there for the Back-to-Back-to-Back to-Back night, I was there on 6/6/06 when D.Lowe beat Pedro Martinez, I was there the night that D.Lowe came in Relief. The Saturday that we clinched the WC in SF, I was also there for Opening day, the games when we were so behind but always hoping for a comeback, I was in St Louis for all the four games we lost there, Yes, Joys and Sorrows go hand-in-hand.
Can't wait for the season to start but in the meantime, Let the Hot Stove Season begin!
Emma (crzblue)
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Big thank you to everybody and the hard work put in. Next year, we take it a step further, yes? Yes, of course.
Looking forward to supporting you guys again next year!
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Hi Derek, your participation here in the post season was a real treat for us fans !! You made us part of the team and brought a lot of people closer together as fans and for that I thank you. I for one think you guys really looked adversity in the face and pushed on. A lot of teams folded this season with far less issues to deal with then the Dodgers. We're proud to be Dodger fans and we'll continue being Dodgers fans. Keep up the good work and enjoy your off season !! And come spring training I for one will see you in Vero Beach !!
Go Ned !!! Get us the guns we need to complete this climb to the top !!
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D-Lowe, pitching wasn't up to the task! I was hoping all the experienced pitchers would bring stability to the playoffs. You, Penny and Maddux couldn't handle it. Did it have something to do with the Beimel incident?
It was a fun regular season, but in reality...another failed season when compared to 1988.
If we can just get you guys to play up to your abilities then we have a chance. But, it was a very sloppy attempt. Sloppy fielding, sloppy pitching, sloppy base running and sloppy lead off hitting. Acceptable for a rookie team, not with as many vets as we had. Overall the total season is a C-
Have a good off season, come back strong next year.
Love to the Dodgers!
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Saturday was devastating from the very onset. What was up with Maddux? Very sad.
The highlight of the night was the Yankees loss.
I do hope management won't dismantle this lineup too much and I look forward to next year and seeing you, Martin, Lofton, Loney, Kent and familiar faces! Go Blue!
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D-Lowe,
Thinking about it, I wouldn't hand it to the Mets as being the better team, but I would say they played better. Neither team was perfect, but the Mets capitalized on the Dodgers' mistakes. It was frustrating to watch, as it no doubt was for you, but this team had enough talent to win that series. But hey, all the more reason to make another run at it next year.
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Derek,
Just wanted you to know that no matter how frustrated we all are, you guys should be very very proud of just getting into the postseason.
That guy who wrote earlier was right---blood pressures fluctuated a LOT this year over the Dodgers, but we all stuck with you for every pitch.
Best wishes and have a great off-season. See you in the spring!
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To Mr. Derek Lowe.
There's not much I can say you about.
You stands still with one of the successful case converting from reliever to starter, even in LA, your worth shines more.
Getting Win isn't easy of sure,.
Also next year, you will prove you hurls your own I bet on. Of sure.
On you, Kian.
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