Talking With: Jeff Kent
Jeff Kent's 2005 season, his first in L.A., was a productive one. 29 homers, 105 RBIs, 76 walks, and a .289 average, the final number being literally spot-on the high mark of his career. More importantly, he played in 149 games. The problem? The Blue managed only 71 wins. This season, Kent has struggled to stay healthy, his production is down...and the Dodgers have a shot at the NL West. It is, as you'll read, a trade he's willing to make. I managed to catch up with him before Saturday's game against Colorado to discuss this season, his career, his personality, and how the game has changed since he broke in with Toronto in 1992.
—BK
Brian Kamenetzky: As a veteran on a team with a lot of young players, what do you see as your role in terms of showing some of those guys how to handle a pennant race? I know you joke about speaking in clichés, so I thought I'd start you with one.
Jeff Kent: I don't know if there's a true job description of what veteran players do going down a stretch drive. I think if anything, the biggest challenge of a veteran player is showing that they can in a sense keep the peace. Show emotional stability and not get too wound up in the action and in the tension, and the pressures of going down the stretch drive and into the playoffs. I think because I know what to expect, other older guys know what to expect, that sometimes the crowds, the media, the hype, the media attention and all the b.s. that goes along with a stretch drive and the playoffs can be overwhelming as a player. And I know how to basically turn it off and say no. And that allows me to focus more on the game itself, and that's what we should be focusing on. And hopefully that'll be an example and a help to the younger players.
BK: When you talk about things to expect, you're talking about stuff like this. Interviews and media attention.
JK: Stuff like exactly what you're talking about. What you're doing right now. It's all wasted time that you wouldn't be talking to me about unless we were meaning something going into the end. I hate to say it but it's true. And it takes away from my time right now. And I'm accepting of doing it. I don't have a problem with it. But you had yours and then the other media people, they want to do theirs, and they want to do theirs, and they want to do postgame, pregame, and it just becomes overwhelming and sometimes players can forget about the game. So you have to be an ass, if you will, and just say, "No, I want to play." The only reason why you guys are here is because we're playing well. Now if I do your stuff and do all this, that might not allow me to do my pregame routine or be prepared for the game, and then I'll suck and you'll start writing about how bad I am. Well, it was probably your fault in the first place. So it's a cycle.
BK: It can be a hard thing for a young player to say no to someone as persuasive as me.
JK: It is. But I'm a seasoned jerk, so I can say no.
BK: You've had years to practice.
JK: Yeah.
BK: You've seen stretch drives, you've seen good teams and bad. How good can this group be?
JK: Oh, I don't know. Everybody wants to know and predict that. All teams, every team that I've been on. I don't know. I've never really thought about it, I really don't care much about (trying to analyze it). We'll see. I always play the "we'll see" attitude. We'll see. We'll see how good we can be. And then at the end, when we accomplish what we want to accomplish or when we don't accomplish that, then I'll tell you how good we were.
BK: On a personal level, you've struggled with injury this season, some of your numbers are down. Has this been a more difficult year for you than years past?
JK: This has been better. We're four games up in the West. I'm not playing for me. This has been a different year because of injuries and because our entire lineup is being productive. So when the entire lineup is productive, that stretches out my productivity if you will. I'm passing it along. People make a big deal, the media makes a big deal about that too, but that's a good thing. That's a good thing that I'm not having to carry a team, or two guys or three guys are carrying the team. That's a great thing, because that allows us to be more of a unit, which will enable us to win more ballgames, and it's proven that. I hope people don't translate one person or two people on this team, but look at the big picture. And the big picture is that we're playing well in the West, we've got a chance to do some good things, and it's not relying on one guy, and that's great. That just gives us a better chance.
BK: Does that make it more fun for you as a player to come to the park?
JK: Oh you bet. You bet. I can pass the torch. Take the walk, or take the day off and let someone else produce and still win. And that's great. They don't have my stats on a World Series ring. They usually put the wins and losses, but they don't put the stats.
BK: Do you think at this point in your career about how much longer you want to do this? How much longer you want to put up with people like me and the grind and the rest of it?
JK: Sometimes. Sometimes I do, and it's soon. It really is. It's right around the corner. Somebody will either knock me on the head, I'll knock myself out, or some kid will take my job, or they won't pay me any money anymore. Something's gonna happen, and it's right there. I'm right on the edge. I'm holding on with one foot.
BK: In terms of your ability to keep playing or your desire to do it? Is it the kid coming to take your job or just you wanting to show up in the first place?
JK: Well, I'll be arrogant enough to say right now I haven't had a kid compete with me yet for my job. So it's gonna be more so desire and opportunity to win. I think those are going to be the contributing factors of me walking away from the game. And it's coming.
BK: So you can understand someone like (Packers quarterback) Brett Favre, over the summer, struggling to figure out if he wanted to play? All the time it took for him to make a decision?
JK: He's probably hanging on with one pinkie. If you're in the offseason and you're taking six months to decide if you want to play or not, you've just got to hang it up. I think in that scrimmage game, he showed a little bit of where his mindset is. I'm either in it or not in it. I'm not on the fence. And it sounds like he's on the fence, and when you need to be at the top of your game for your teammates, if you're just playing half-ass, you're not giving them credit of what you can be, and that's not fair to your teammates or the organization. So yeah, I feel for him, but I won't be on the fence like he is. I'm either going to be on one side or the other.
BK: Does a World Series make a difference in that?
JK: Oh, you bet. I won't be selfish enough to sacrifice poor play to get a World Series, unless the organization really wants me. So it'll factor in with a some heavy weight.
BK: So this could be a big year in a lot of ways.
JK: Yeah.
BK: Do you think about what kind of player that you want people to remember you as? When you walk away, what you want your legacy to be?
JK: No. Because I've been building it ever since I played this game. People respect who I am and what I play and what I do. They might not like it. They might hate it — hate me, rather. They might hate me or hate the way I go about my business, but they respect the way that I play this game, and that's all I ever cared about.
BK: It's less important what people in general think about you, and more important what the people you played with think, in terms of respect?
JK: You bet. You're boiling it down to — I'll mention that Larry King gave me a quote from Frank Sinatra. Frank Sinatra had mentioned to him that the only thing he owes the people is his best performance. That kind of fits right into my MO, is my best performance is determined by the team that I play for. So that's first and foremost. I've got a lot of people who respect the way that I play and appreciate it. And I've tried to be a good example, and be media friendly at times, but other times I haven't. But at the end of the day, people respect the way that I play. And thoroughly. And that's what I care about.
BK: Is that media friendliness, or lack thereof, a choice that you've made, or a function of your personality?
JK: Both. That's my function and that's my choice. I believe that I owe the fans who pay to watch me play on TV and here at the ballpark the best performance I can give. And whether that requires me to be a super nice guy, All-American, or whether that requires me to be a player with a chip on his shoulder, it doesn't matter. What's enabled me to have an edge and be competitive for 15-plus years is being able to be focused, and to not worry about the baggage, being ridiculed and criticized for stupid things like mustaches. Are you kidding me? That's the best you got? Or the car washing incident. Is that the same year I hit 37 (homers) and went to the World Series? Are you kidding me? Or the Barry Bonds fight. Are you kidding me? We went to the World Series that year. We had a dozen fights. Are you serious? That's all they got. And if that's all they got, I'm embarrassed for them.
BK: Do you think fans recognize that difference? Recognizing the difference between needing to be that guy on the field and off it?
JK: I don't know. I just think you can never satisfy the fan. I think you can satisfy the fan for which team you play for, but I don't know if you can satisfy the outside fan with just your performance. I think they want more, and that's not what I'm about. I'm the performing guy, and that's it.
BK: Have you ever felt like you didn't give your best performance? That you didn't hold up your end of the bargain?
JK: Oh, I've sucked at times. I've been terrible. I've been embarrassed by the way I played the game, but I guarantee you on that day, I've given my best.
BK: It wasn't for lack of effort.
JK: No. Never. And that's what I'm proud of, and that's why I'll be respected in the game. And that's all I care about.
BK: Who are the players that you respected as a young player? Guys you patterned yourself after?
JK: Dave Winfield. Joe Carter. Dale Murphy. Jack Morris. Guys that I came in the league with, first year. Dusty Baker, when I played for him, I started to know more about Dusty. A little bit of Bobby Gritch. I watched him when I was a kid, playing for the Angels. Gritty. Those types of players. I don't know everything about those guys, but I picked up on little things and just kind of translated it into who I am and why I am. So that's about it.
BK: How has the game changed since you started? Whether it's more money coming into the game, as more drug news comes out, fans think of you differently, or whatever.
JK: Because of drugs?
BK: Because of drugs, because of guys getting paid the way they do. A guy like A-Rod, if he made half the money he does, he'd probably get a fifth of the grief. Or a tenth.
JK: Based on A-Rod, I think we all should be paid as much as A-Rod gets paid. That's the American way, isn't it? I think people are more so jealous of him than anything else. That's why they boo him so much, because they're jealous they don't get it. It's the American way. Who's gonna want to go out there and bitch because they got a pay raise? Nobody. Nobody in the world's gonna bitch because they got a pay raise.
But I've seen the game change a lot in 15 years, and I'm seeing it change in a big way now because of the drug policy in place, and I'm proud that it's in place. It's come a long way. There's been a lot of changes, and one of them has been the salary increases. And that's because the fan base has just increased multifold. The industry makes $3.5 billion, and there's only 750 players in the big leagues. Somebody's got to get paid. Salaries have had a big impact on a lot of things. Salaries had an impact on the drugs, because people, players were greedy. And it's disappointing, but I'm glad it's slowly getting cleaned up and people are starting to take notice of it and desiring for a clean game.
BK: What took so long, in terms of drug policy?
JK: Don't ask, don't tell. That's the reason why. They had to get beyond that, and when they got beyond that, it became an open book.
BK: In terms of management? The league? Players? Media?
JK: Everybody. Owners, players, media, union, everybody. Everybody. That's what took it so long. Somebody needed to come out of the closet, and they finally did.
BK: Was that frustrating for you as a player?
JK: It's always been frustrating for me as a player. I won't get into it too much with you, but it's always been disappointing as a player.
BK: Last question for you. Who is the best player you've ever seen play?
JK: In what category?
BK: Whether it's the best combination of skill and desire, pure ability, or however you define greatness. Different people define it differently.
JK: (long pause) Mr. Bonds was probably the best player I've ever seen play the game. But he's going through some legal problems right now that I know he's having to battle.
BK: Independent of all that, he's the best you've seen? Setting all that aside?
JK: I don't know. You know, I've seen great hitters, and I've seen players, I've seen great pitchers, I've seen great runners, great fielders. I don't know if there's one guy who's better at all those than everybody else. I hit behind Barry when he hit 70 home runs. I've played with great shortstops in Omar Vizquel, great pitchers in Roger Clemens. It's just disappointing in the era that I played in for a good period where there were some great players that I just don't have an answer for you.
BK: It's too hard to say because of all the questions that surround everything?
JK: Yeah, probably so. It's disappointing that I don't have an answer for you. And I have my reasons.
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For me the bitter jacka$$ routine only works when he is playing at a very high level and he isn’t this year. Flat out stunk yesterday.
Posted by: john | September 06, 2006 at 09:00 AM
I have to agree with John on this one. It's "put up or shut up" time for Jeffrey. So long as he is producing the act is fine. When he isn't, no one wants to listen to an aging vet who is playing like he's got one hand on the social security check. You're one of the leaders of the team. You're supposed to help pick them up when they're down, and by the looks of it we're down again. So save the hard a** talk for your autobiography and focus on putting cashing those checks you are writing.
Posted by: LoLo | September 06, 2006 at 09:24 AM
One last thing on Little: Does the guy know it’s September? Maybe he forgot to flip the page on his office calendar and he still thinks it’s August. All these “days off” were supposed to keep the players fresh for September. Well, guess what? It’s September! No more giving guys days off. This IS the final month of the season. There is no October if you don’t make the playoffs. What are you resting your guys for? Every game counts from now on. Play every game as if it’s your last. Play the starters from here on out. NO MORE DAYS OFF.
On that note, I hate telling a big league manager what to do, but we need to put a lineup out there that works. No time for egos or complaints. Time to ignore your “heart” and stop pitching Hendrickson. Time to block phone calls from Lugo’s agent. Bottom line: put a lineup together with players who are producing. If you aren’t producing you aren’t playing. I don’t care that you were the starting SS and leadoff man of the Devil Rocks. Welcome to the pennant chase (or the big leagues, as some call it). I know you aren’t used to it, but it’s “put out or get out” time. And Little, if you need to tinker with the lineup by moving hitters around to ensure we get peak production, then do so. I don’t want to hear this garbage about someone waking up from a slump. If they’re hurting us, call a spade a spade and adjust the damn lineup! Take that damn No.2 pencil and put it to use on the scorecard (you know, that small piece of paper where you make adjustments). The pennant is won by whomever makes the best adjustments. SO START DOING YOUR JOB!!
So let’s review:
1. Stop resting the starters (they’ve already gotten plenty of rest throughout the season)
2. Play the players who are producing and sit the players who aren’t, regardless of what their stupid agents say through the media
3. Shuffle the lineup if you have to. Adjust it so it is performing as efficiently as possible.
4. Punch Simer’s fat a** in the face (optional, but necessary)
Posted by: LoLo | September 06, 2006 at 09:39 AM
BK,
Was this the most uncomfortable interview you have ever given?
Personally, I think he reads the blog, which is why he said "waste of time" so many times. Just like he reads Simers' column but pretends like he doesn't.
Posted by: LoLo | September 06, 2006 at 09:47 AM
Lolo-
Not really. When you do an interview with Kent, you kind of know there will be something in there like what he said about media and interviews, etc. I don't really mind it. We talked for about 20 minutes, so I certainly can't complain that he didn't give me any time. He is who he is. I think some of this is schtick designed to keep him from having to do exactly this kind of thing. That said, the dude is certainly a little prickly. But once he's involved, he answers questions pretty honestly and is definitely frank, so that's all I'm looking for.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | September 06, 2006 at 10:51 AM
Lolo,
I think BK pretty much hit it on the head. With Kent (or any athlete like him), you know what you're getting into, so you just roll with it. And at least he offsets the prickliness with candidness, which makes him a better interview subject than a guy like Lofton (who's equally prickly, but goes out of his way to say as little as possible). Kent will at least say what's on his mind, even if he makes it perfectly clear that he'd rather be shanking himself with a rusty knuckle knife than talking to you.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | September 06, 2006 at 11:24 AM
AK/BK,
Well at least you have your own Jeff Kent-like "wall" to defer any grief he can possibly give you while interviewing him. Great job on the interview!! Then again, you two are classy professionals. Better you than me; I would have punched Kent, and Simers for that matter, by now. HAHA!!
Posted by: LoLo | September 06, 2006 at 12:07 PM
Forget Kent, I agree with Lolo's comments on Little.
We're in September stupid!
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | September 06, 2006 at 12:08 PM
"even if he makes it perfectly clear that he'd rather be shanking himself with a rusty knuckle knife than talking to you."
Or sitting in a corner reading Motorcross magazine with headphones on. HAHAHAHAHA!!
Posted by: LoLo | September 06, 2006 at 12:09 PM
HEY FELLAS! Good job on the interview! I personally like Kent's attitude about keeping his focus on the game. Did he start out as gung-ho on pre/post-game interviews as Ethier, for example? I don't think it's a bad thing that Ethier does it...I just wonder if, in time, we will be hearing as much from him. I suppose he's a hot commodity right now though, so maybe that's it.
Anyhoo, AK/BK, I have a term project to analyze a news driven blog or news website and of course chose Blue Notes. I had to fight off a butthead boy for it. I mean, how is he going to sit there and argue with me about it when the dork was wearing an ORIOLES hat? C'mon...ORIOLES??? lol
Hey, Orioles Boy!! If you're reading this, next time rethink your accessories before attending class!! Besides, you shouldn't be wearing orange ANYTHING, buddy! THINK BLUE!!
That is all!
Posted by: Ms. M | September 06, 2006 at 02:34 PM
We need to win tonight, Dlowe will bring his A game. Big stuff going on at dodgerstalk.com so check it out. Go Dodgers!
Posted by: Tony | September 06, 2006 at 03:19 PM
i just want to say simer is a great. i like his columns. he usually says things one way but means the total opposite. ie that article about the daily new columist. he did a marvelous job of describing himself. another is that he alway bags on his son-in-law (the grocery bag boy), but he loves that kid. i think wooden or chick asked him about it once.
anyways, you need to understand his sense of humor and his style. that's why the times continue to pay him.
Posted by: sok | September 06, 2006 at 03:38 PM
another lefty tonite- saenz at ist, lugo at third
and kemp in center, repko in right.
i'd call that juggling the lineup.
leave the sunglasses in the dugout.
Posted by: stargazin | September 06, 2006 at 04:17 PM
still like to see thomas inserted in the lineup.
Posted by: stargazin | September 06, 2006 at 04:32 PM
Why is it that when someone defends Simers it's always "you don't understand him"? I really get tired of that crack because it's bogus and inaccurate. I can't speak for everyone else that criticizes the guy, but I consider myself to be a fairly educated person (two Masters degrees, one of which is an MBA). I think I do a fairly good job of "understanding" him, and I don't think education is an issue on my part. I don't like him; I don't like how he writes, how he conducts himself, the way he goes about his job, and his agenda (Spare me the "impartial" crap; every writer has an agenda because they are human. The day robots start writing articles is the day you can come talk to me about "impartial" reporting.). I understand him plenty. Apparently, those that like him understand him as well (so I hope). Some like him, some don't. Some don't give a damn. Whatever suits you is your opinion. I now where I stand, and it has little to do with not "understanding" Simers.
Posted by: LoLo | September 06, 2006 at 04:54 PM
Mike T,
I guess you're right. There are bigger fish to fry than Jeff Kent. HAHA!
C'mon BLUE!! Get your heads out of your a** ASAP!!!
Posted by: LoLo | September 06, 2006 at 05:05 PM
BK, is "carwash incident" another way of saying popping wheelies on my ATV and I fell off backward but was too embarassed to say what really happented?
Posted by: Mike Sarner | September 06, 2006 at 05:10 PM
Mike Sarner,
Interesting, perceptive question. You strike me as the kind of guy who spends a lot of time yelling "Sid Bream" at a certain lefty in San Fran. But perhaps that's just the first impressions talking.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | September 06, 2006 at 05:18 PM
Great interview! I know how hard it is to get Kent to sit down and talk with the media, and you asked some great questions.
Let's hope they can pull it together tonight, we can't afford a sweep. I'd say at this point Lowe is our best chance at a losing streak stopper.
Posted by: Jen | September 06, 2006 at 05:25 PM
A wise man once told me that the key strategy to winning baseball games is to outscore your opponent.
Call it a hunch, or an educated guess, but I think this strategy is aided greatly when you actually score.
Posted by: LoLo | September 06, 2006 at 06:01 PM
Blah, blah, blah Jeff Kent. Don't forget if it wasn't for Jeff Kent we wouldn't have Ethier.
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | September 06, 2006 at 06:03 PM
To the Dodgers:
Come on guys, let's get it together. I'm with ya!
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | September 06, 2006 at 06:06 PM
AK-NO HARM NO FOUL???FURCALS THROW.
Posted by: stargazin | September 06, 2006 at 06:33 PM
I GUESS WE JUST CANT HIT LEFTIES THAT THROW LOLLIPOPS????
Posted by: stargazin | September 06, 2006 at 06:34 PM
YES. KEMPS STARTING TO LOOK GOOD.
Posted by: stargazin | September 06, 2006 at 06:36 PM
2-1 Dodgers with no outs. Let's do this!!
Posted by: LoLo | September 06, 2006 at 06:37 PM
AN ACTUAL DODGER RALLY?-
Posted by: stargazin | September 06, 2006 at 06:37 PM
Mike T,
Good point. No matter what you think of Kent, you'll always have him to thank for Ethier. Think Oakland doesn't want a do over on that trade? haha.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | September 06, 2006 at 06:38 PM
If Lowe can lead us to a 2-1 victory it will definately help morale. We need everything we can muster up heading into the Mets series.
Posted by: LoLo | September 06, 2006 at 06:43 PM
WHATS WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE? LONEY PH FOR KILLER
TOMOTO AGAINST A LEFTY??????
Posted by: stargazin | September 06, 2006 at 06:51 PM
Lowe: 7 IP, 72 pitches, and a couple of nice plays on some comebackers.
Look familiar?
Posted by: LoLo | September 06, 2006 at 06:56 PM
Nothing against Nomar since he has made a great defensive adjustment in order to play 1B, but I feel safer with Loney playing 1B in a tight game.
Posted by: LoLo | September 06, 2006 at 06:58 PM
Look at the GUNSHOT by Furcal to throw out the runner. Makes you appreciate what a tough play that first grounder of inning was.
Posted by: LoLo | September 06, 2006 at 06:59 PM
Little,
Don't mess around; leave Lowe in there. He has thrown 79 pitches in 8 IP and hasn't lost a thing. Let him finish this. The offense has done little to help him out today. Let the man will us to victory!
Posted by: LoLo | September 06, 2006 at 07:01 PM
Saito? No matter what the outcome I don't agree with is call AT ALL!!!
Posted by: LoLo | September 06, 2006 at 07:07 PM
SMART MOVE FOR LITTLE. LAST TWO TIMES D-LO TRIED TO
PICTH IN 9TH WERE KILLERS. DON;T PUSH YOUR LUCK.
WE'LL TAKE 8. WE GOT SAMMY.
Posted by: stargazin | September 06, 2006 at 07:09 PM
YEAH LOWE'S HAVING A REAL NICE YEAR. SO IS SAMMY.
LETS HOPE OUR HITTERS FIND THEIR HITTING STROKE IN N.Y.
Posted by: stargazin | September 06, 2006 at 07:14 PM
Great game! Just a hair over 2 hours. Not overly enthused that Lowe had to throw a 1-hitter for us to win a close game, but a win is a win.
As for Little's pitching decision, I'll have more on THAT tomorrow!
Good night everyone!
Posted by: LoLo | September 06, 2006 at 07:14 PM
Man that inside slider to get the 2nd out in the 9th was nasty. Sammy baby...you the man!
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | September 06, 2006 at 07:15 PM
woot! dodgers won one. lowe was awesome had like 18 ground balls.
on the otherside, i looked up lugo's stat. he's 21/92 with the dodgers. after today, 21/96. anyone know why he's performing so horribly? you would think the game is the same weather played in tampa or los angeles.
finally, on the dodger page it shows hendrickson schedule to start sunday. was the schedule make before yesterdays game?
Posted by: sok | September 06, 2006 at 07:21 PM
WHATS THAT YOU SAY? WE FACING ANOTHER LOLLIPOP THROWING LEFT HANDER TOMMORROW>
Posted by: stargazin | September 06, 2006 at 07:25 PM
GUESS WE GET TO SEE IF WE LEARNED ANYTHING AFTER
FACING THESE 2 LEFTIES.
Posted by: stargazin | September 06, 2006 at 07:26 PM
Stargazer,
Thanks for putting the rally CAPS on during the game!
Posted by: MTI | September 06, 2006 at 07:27 PM
JD DREW MAY NEVER GET TO PLAY AGAIN. JUST WHEN DREW GETS HOT, WE FACE A CONSTANT DIET OF LEFTIES.
Posted by: stargazin | September 06, 2006 at 07:27 PM
stargazin i think they brought loney in as a defensive upgrade
good interview BK as the years have gone on i like kent more you can see where he is coming from
also i wonder if kent said something to ethier on sunday when he hit into the double play with the bases loaded. it seemed as though he could have beat it out.
Posted by: charlie bucket | September 06, 2006 at 07:29 PM
QUALITY START BY PENNY TOMMORROW AND WE'RE BACK ON TRACT.
Posted by: stargazin | September 06, 2006 at 07:33 PM
GOOD JOB BY LITTLE HAVING KEMP IN THE LINEUP.
GUESSING WE'LL SEE HIM AGAIN TOMMORROW AGAINST
GLAVINE.
Posted by: stargazin | September 06, 2006 at 07:45 PM
WHERE ARE THE IDOITS THAT WANTED TO TRADE KEMP FOR WELLS NOW? WELLS ( FAT TUB OF LARD) HAS 3 WEEKS LEFT
IN HIS CARRER. KEMPS GOING TO BE WINNING GAMES FOR US (LIKE TONITE) FOR THE NEXT 10 YEARS.
Posted by: stargazin | September 06, 2006 at 07:55 PM
CHARLIE -I GOT THE DEFENSIVE PART NOT THE OFFENSIVE PART. KILLER TOMATO IS THE LEFTY KILLER.
LOLO- LAST TWO TIMES LOWE INTO THE 9TH,IT ALL FELL A
PART. DON'T PUSH YOUR LUCK. FOR US TO GET 8
INNINGS FROM A PITCHER IS GREAT. HOPE PENNY GIVES US BIG EFFORT TOMMORROW.
Posted by: stargazin | September 06, 2006 at 08:01 PM
Any question now as to who is the ace?
Posted by: Dodgerdog | September 06, 2006 at 08:59 PM
Dodgerdog-
I was thinking the exact same thing. Part of being an ace is being a stopper, and that's what the Dodgers needed tonight.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | September 06, 2006 at 09:28 PM
Lowe 1 September 0
Posted by: stargazin | September 06, 2006 at 11:10 PM
Sorry, as I may be the minority opinion here, but as a former Houston resident and Astros fan who now lives in LA and immediately adopted the Dodgers as my new "Home" team, I have to say that I really admire JK's appraoch to things. He realizes that this IS a business, and having stated things in those terms, it's astonishing that so many people find issue with anything that he does. What more could you hope to relate to? Is YOUR job so entirely different? I can say that without question, I can't remember a game in which I could question his effort.....and I actually started following the Dodgers when he was traded - because in my experience w/Houston I was always impressed with him. Sure he has "bad" days....everybody does - but I don't think that you can question his effort. He consistently gives exactly what he's paid to - his best effort. We can't ask for more, and I'm very happy to now be a LA-based Dodger fan who can also cheer for one of my favorite former Astros. Go Dodgers!
Posted by: Clark | September 06, 2006 at 11:41 PM
I think Lugo was doing fine, until his agent came out and blasted the Dodgers. Since that day he's gotten more playing time and produced horribly...anyone have stats to back that up? That's my perception.
I was expecting him to be traded for Wells, maybe he was too. That move by his agent was a bonehead move that won't help him when it comes to signing time...
Posted by: 1988 | September 07, 2006 at 09:00 AM
As a Dodger fan, I wasn't offended by anything JK said. He's more concerned with the game than all the hulabaloo surrounding it. Sounds like most people who work for a living. He says he's willing to balance the two worlds...sounds about right.
Anyone who trades in the Black and Orange for Blue and White...must have his head on straight.
Posted by: 1988 | September 07, 2006 at 09:05 AM
Clark,
I agree, give Kent a break! I've never been a Kent fan since in days in SF but he's a Dodger now. Last year he was all we had going for us and he came through big time. He's earned my respect. Plus from here to the end of the season I'm not talking bad about any Dodger. We're in a playoff race and I'm joining in with my team with a positive outlook.
G0 DODGERS!
GO KENT!
GO DREW!
GO GARCIAPARRA!
GO ETHIER!
GO BETEMIT!
GO RUSSELL!
GO FURCAL!
GO LOFTON!
GO PENNY, LOWE! MADDUX, BILLINGSLY! AND THE REST OF THE PITCHING STAFF.
GO LITTLE!
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | September 07, 2006 at 09:06 AM