My Yardbarker Debut

Hey Yardbarkers, It feels good to finally have this blog up and running. I would have started a few days ago, but I haven't been able to get to my computer. I just bought a house in Arizona, where I'm at now, and there was a flood in the room where I usually keep the computer. They had to knock down two walls and replace the carpet in the downstairs rooms of my new house to fix everything. But everthing's back to normal now. It's all good. I've been involved in sports since I was a kid. Every time I watched a game, I 'd imagine what it would be like to actually talk to Nolan Ryan or Greg Maddux. Those are the guys I idolized growing up. That's what I want to do here. I just want to have fun with the fans and talk about my experiences. I was drafted out of high school in 2003 and I've spent the last few years climbing through the minors, trying to realize my dream of playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers. It's been tough at times. I started out the year in the bullpen, which was a real big change for me. I've never really done that before. You have to make adjustments and be prepared to pitch every day. As a starter, you have four days in between appearances. In the pen, you really have to keep your arm healthy because you could be called on to pitch back to back days. Now, I'm in the rotation. That's where I want to stay for the rest of my career. Today's an off day and tomorrow we start a three game set with the Padres. My next start is Sunday. It's a big series for us. Hopefully, we can come away with a few big wins down in San Diego.

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Comments (39)

FatMoon said August 30, 2007

No doubt in my mind you will be in the starting rotation for years to come. Welcome to the Yard Chad!
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fbkid15 said August 30, 2007

Welcome to the yard Chad! I live in Jacksonville and was fortunate enough to see you play in the minors. Good luck this year and in the future!
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TheDoggy said August 30, 2007

Yo Chad. How does it feel to be a Dodger, as opposed to, say, a Devil Ray? That franchise has such a legacy of unreal starting pitchers... do you feel like you're a part of that yet?
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connor said August 30, 2007

You are one of my favorite Dodgers dude. I saw you pitch against the Nats' the other day, you dominated. Nice work on your 9-4 record.
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RobinSports said August 30, 2007

Hey Chad...you can move to Arizona, but it's still hard to get away from the flooding! By that I mean your old stomping grounds in NW Ohio had a ton of flooding last week too....
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BuntCake said August 30, 2007

Alright! Dodgers in the yard!
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jubril58 said August 30, 2007

well good luck with the rest of the season. Enjoy your new home in suprise with a working computer.
Az is the place to be in the winter. If you are in town in november and you like basketball you should come to season opener vs lakers. I am gonna head to fox sports grill or something before the game.
Congrats the new home, what made you decide on that part of town vs sdale and stuff. or phx.
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mikeconleyfan said August 30, 2007

Ba ba ba boooya! Welcome to the Yard dude....the more athletes we have here the better...I'll be rooting for you unless you're playing the Mariners ;-)~

Best of luck to ya'!

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JohnnyBoy056 said August 30, 2007

Chad, you have been helping out my fantasy baseball team. Good job!
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Forechecker said August 30, 2007

Welcome to Yardbarker, Chad - it's great to have you on board!
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gaucho said August 30, 2007

Chad, first off, welcome. We're fired up that you're with us. Question, I have read that former Dodger pitcher Dave Stewart is your agent. He too spent some time in the pen before becoming a great starter. Has Stewart had any influence on you thus far?
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- CBillingsley replied September 04, 2007
  
  Dave has been an great influence for me. It's nice to have a guy who has been there, done that to go to if you have any questions. He helped me understand the preparation that you go through when you are a reliever.
dinabanina said August 30, 2007

Hey Chad! That little flood fiasco doesn't sound like fun, but we're glad you made it through that so you could join us in the Yard. Have you ever had the chance to meet some of your childhood baseball heroes?
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ursportspro said August 30, 2007

Welcome Chad. Looking forward to your take on the final month of the season.
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MMoorefield said August 30, 2007

Welcome to The Yard. What a race the West is shaping up to be! Good luck in the final stretch.
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General_Zod said August 31, 2007

Welcome to the Yard Chad...just know that you're a "Zod" guy...i had you on my fantasy team as far back as three years ago when you were a prospect...now you're getting it done in the majors...way to limit the walks, now you can stay n the game longer...you've really become more pitch-efficient...awesome work, looking forward to your take on the game on and off the field.
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lakeshoredave said August 31, 2007

Best of luck with your new blog. I'm sure we will be hearing about you on The Jim Rome Show since he is a Dodgers honk!
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Hobbes said August 31, 2007

The media keeps reporting sound bites from other players when it was going on.... but what do other pithers really think about Roger Clemens and his almost absentee-ok deal he got with the yankees?

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JohnLowenstein said August 31, 2007

Say Hi to Alyssa for me.
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LATLAT said August 31, 2007

Hey, Chad, your claim should be covered by your homeowners insurance. No need to come out of pocket for it. Assuming the damage was more than a few hundred bucks its probably worth your while to submit a claim. Further, a standard homeowners policy should cover damage to your personal property as well as the house itself. Let me know if you need help-its what I do for a living
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LATLAT said August 31, 2007

Hey, Chad, your claim should be covered by your homeowners insurance. No need to come out of pocket for it. Assuming the damage was more than a few hundred bucks its probably worth your while to submit a claim. Further, a standard homeowners policy should cover damage to your personal property as well as the house itself. Let me know if you need help-its what I do for a living
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KyleFeller said August 31, 2007

Chad, tell my boy Stults that I said hi.
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rbaly79 said September 01, 2007

Good luck tomorrow Chad !!!
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ArrogantPencil said September 03, 2007

Remember that time you shut out the Padres through 7 innings allowing only 3 hits in order to gain a game in the standings? that was awesome. Can you get me Ethier's autograph?
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JoePierre said September 04, 2007

Hi Chad, I always thought you'd do well, and this year you were coming out of the bull pen like you really meant business and everybody wanted you to start. Well you started and you're doing great. Oh yeah, you're LOOOOking good. Keep it up BILZZIE.
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grumpy3b said September 04, 2007

throw 'em where they can catch 'em there Mr. Billz...we are all rooting for ya over on LakerDodgerFantics...

and oh yeah, throw more strikes please...ya make us crazy some night dang it! ;)
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dodgerdude17 said September 04, 2007

Chad, you should have never started the year in the bullpen. That was a bonehead move by dodgers management to put you in that position. Great to see you in the starting rotation again, and hopefully for the next decade or so, in dodger blue of course. Keep it going man, you're huge to our playoff push.
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greet_death said September 04, 2007

Chad, I've seen you pitch twice this season and both time you pitched like an Ace. I saw your last start in San Diego and I was completely blown away. I very close seats and I could hear the ball cutting through the air. Guys like you, Russell Martin, Matt Kemp, James Loney, Andy LaRoche and Jonathan Broxton are the type of players us Dodger fans have been waiting for for years. Good luck the rest of the year.
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bflo3422 said September 04, 2007

Hey bills it was good seein you today bro man its been 4 years since high school ball wish you the best and still hopin to catch a start of urs soon
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blueyedlady said September 04, 2007

Chad, you were outstanding in San Diego on Sunday and it was my privilege to witness it. I was also there for your first major league start, at Petco Park last year. Keep up the great work.
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OhioJim said September 04, 2007

Trust your stuff dude, don't get too picky. You were actually too good out of the bullpen and they had to keep you there. I'm happy that you are finally in the starting rotation. I am also from Ohio and have been a Dodger fan since 1965. It was fun to see you in Cincinnati Aug 8th. Keep up the good work.
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ArrogantPencil said September 04, 2007

ethier would have ran around in circles really fast, causing the water to be sucked up and splash down on some poor urban kids who are dying in this LA heatwave. what are YOU doing for the children Billingsley???
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joetorrey said September 04, 2007

Chad if you could put together the starting five for the dodgers next season who would it be? Now this is looking at anyone in the dodgers' organization and anyone the dodgers could get off free agency. also assuming every one is healthy for the start of the season. What moves would you make and who would be your closer if you had a choice?
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DHSteachers said September 04, 2007

Hi Chad! We have been following you since we were there for your debut in San Diego last June. You are doing awesome & all of Defiance is so proud of you! (p.s. I have a sister in Glendale, AZ, so hopefully we'll catch you at Spring Training---will try to make it to Dodgertown this Spring!)
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dodgerfan4life said September 05, 2007

you got a myspace lol?
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LadyWindermere said September 07, 2007

Chad, how about telling us the athletes you looked up to while you were growing up and which of them had the greatest influence on your career decisions?
5 Foot Fan
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Bluesince63 said September 16, 2007

Chad, you struggle, at times, when you're not being economical with your pitches. Did your time as a reliever help you with that problem? Also, how much did having Greg Maddux on the team last year help you as a pitcher?
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JoePierre said September 23, 2007

Believe me, I'm telling the truth, I can't think of any starter, at this moment I want to be starting today for this team. Bilzy*** you the man. Give it all you got and I believe you got plenty. If there is anything left to want this year, It's a .500 or better season. You can stop the bleeding.
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JoePierre said September 24, 2007

Chad my boy^^^^i told you, You the MAN****Nice 5.2 inning today, you put a turniket on and stop the bleeding. Today 9/23 we had a nice young team on the field, a great look into the future, including you Billzie Boy.
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