So here we are again in the playoffs and the jokes and quips are flying in the air, but this year not directed at the Dodgers. Picking up Blake and Manny has made the Dodgers a real threat to take it all this year.
Oh there were the countless doubters, mostly from the windy city boasting how there Cubs time has come and would steamroll the Dodgers back to the weak west coast. SURPRISE!! These aren't the same Dodgers who floundered at mid-season, But are the same Dodgers who started to climb early in the season with Furcal leading the way, with no help from Jones. Now it's that same team with Manny who's Jones X2!!! The presence the Dodgers were looking for and the leadership of a winner has finally arrive at the arrival of Manny in Los Angeles, and to ensure his safety they sent Jones to pick him up from the airport since Jones couldn't hit anything if he tried so we were safe there.
Then there was the merry-go-round at third base where Nomar was suppose to help our existing third baseman grow into the position, instead both were hurt and we found a diamond in the rough in Dewitt. He was so talented that once we were able to secure Blake before the trading Deadlin we sent Dewitt down to learn to play second and he did to the point that now furture hall of famer Kent is on the bench rather than the field.
Our young players much like Colorado and Toronto have found the glue to bind them, and that glue is Manny. No longer is it the pressure inforced by Kent to act like ridgid professional, but instead the laid back attitude of Manny who shows you can get the job done and still have fun.
I can only imagine what other Managers must think when they see these Dodgers take the field and know that they have the likes of Kent and Nomar to call on in a pinch. Our outfield has also been stableize when Torre decided enough was enough with the platooning and the arrival of Manny. Eithier has stepped up and shown he can hit either in front of Manny or behind him making the decision of a Kemp, Manny, Eithier outfield easy to make.
That of course leave us with a speedster in Pierre to come off the bench and not be in the field where his arm can become a liability. Though when Furcal was hitting earilier in the year Pierre was just finding his stroke, but folded when the pressure build when Furcal went down for a few months, and of course Jones was there..........and that was about all he was. I can't count the times he struck out with men on base and when he did make contact hit into a rally killing double play. Hopefully the summer will bring a better Jones to LA next year or he'll be just another heavy contract which we must eat.
Then there is the Pitching which was suppose to be our usual strong suit. Instead it went south early. Can anyone remember the last time Schmidt pitched........anyone.......(chirp)(Chirp). Then there was Penny who seemed to forget every other appearance how to pitch, and he was our ACE for godness sake. Yes the Dodgers of old would of folded up even in the weakest division and went through the motions to contend and then blame each other. No more!
It was step up time and boy did they. Billingley wouldn't give up and became a solid No. 2 if not No.1 pitch and Lowe how has been there before return to his Boston Days to Lead the Dodgers to the divisional Title while being a stingy as preschooler when it came to giving up runs. K-man joined in the party by showing his time in Japan wasn't wasted on meaningless games and hungered to show what he could do when needed. Even Park came to the rescure along with our farm system to stablize the bleeding. In the pen we again worked our way through some solid pitch and posers and found Kuo was just what we needed in long relief, helping bridge the starter innings with the eighth and ninth innings.
Even when Saito when down John became Big John and held his own.
Last but far from least was the people in the background, which although I felt betrayed at first, have come to except. Mr. Torre and his good old boys from the bronx. In the old days this would never come about. Heck even a switch from the Giants to the Dodgers as a Manager was viewed as a major betrayal. A Yankee Manager to either would never be thought of outside the context of a joke or wishful thinking. Oh how the times, they are changing.
Many at first thought he would automatically play the senior players and ignore the fact that he was inheriting one of the best group of young players, but he made it clear from day one that everyone would have to earn his position. Hence Kent, Nomar and Pierre on the bench. Of course he stayed with Jones longer than most of us would of liked but he had to do something to make the expense work or not. Thankfully heads were saved when deals were made for Blake and then Manny for a total lose of talent equal to that of a fragile third baseman and not having to pay a penny of Manny's contract. Of course next year we will (Hopefully).
Yes the winningest team from So. California is out of the playoffs it just wasn't the best team. Which now more teams are finding out.
Yeah the Phillies took game 1, but again relied on the Home run. That might get you to the playoffs, but will not get a team through them. So let the games continue and look around you or when you talk to others about the playoffs and your notice that everyone is surprise that not only L.A. is still in the playoffs, but are probably the team to beat. Your Next Boston.
BE AFRAID..............BE VERY AFRAID! GO DODGER BLUE
I am a graduate of UCLA, though I attended AU for one year on a baseball scholarship. Served my active duty time in the Air Force mainly overseas in Turkey and the Philippines. Upon my honorable discharge I remained in the Areospace field as a sub-contracto r in Fixture Stuct., which allowed me to travel and work on projects such as the Stealth and the C-17. After losing most our aerospace contracts to oversea's competitor Aerobus, I returned to California (Orange County) and now oversee my remodeling company.
I'm a avid fan of all Los Angeles Sport teams and have knowledge through my father of the teams history from his moving From South Dakota, to Cleveland, to New York and Finally to Los Angeles. Brings the Clev. Rams, Minn. Lakers, and Dodgers with him, to hear him tell it.
