1988? Please.
Much is made in the media of the fact the Dodgers have won only one playoff game since the '88 World Series championship. Well, no amount of futility compares to what Cubs fans have endured since 1908. So as the Blue open their series tonight against the Baby Bears at the Ravine- sending out Derek Lowe (4-5, 3.84) against lefty Ted Lilly (4-2, 2.69) it's important to remember success, specifically the lack thereof, is very relative. This season, the Cubs have had little of it on the road so it'll be important for the Dodgers not to do them any favors and allow Chicago's natural, expertly cultivated shaky karma do its job. Certainly it did in Derrick Lee the last time he visited the Ravine. And while the players on both teams wait for that to happen, they can discuss what they have in common- a lack of consistent run production.
The Dodgers should be well rested, having infused a much needed day off with a little charity golf. There, fans had a chance to mingle with Dodgers of now and yore. And if they're interested, they can eat with them too, in the form of Nomar's Carne Asada Sunday at the park, which will happen on June 10. As the name suggests, that's a Sunday.
He's been the meat of the order all year for the Dodgers, so maybe Nomar will let Russell Martin have a taco or two. Or perhaps folks will use the time to try and decode the Dodgers' third base situation.
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Anyone following the excitement of the Red Sox Fans about JD Who?
I know that we have been tough on Gonzo's defens but his offense has been bettter than Drew to this point.
Does anyone have a feel for what is going on (or not going on) with Loney and Kemp? Neither are overachieving at this point.
Posted by: Lex | May 25, 2007 at 01:45 PM
There was an ESPN article about overrated players the other day, and Drew was pretty high on the list. It mentioned how his .169 BA since April is obscured by BoSox euphoria of being a billion games ahead of the Yankees.
Right now, Drew's in a pretty good situation, where he can hide behind Manny and Ortiz as long as the Sox keep winning and keeping ground between them and the Yanks. As soon as they hit a rough spot, though, watch out, because he'll become the easy scapegoat.
Posted by: Makoto Ueno | May 25, 2007 at 03:10 PM
Makoto, Lex-
I thought about linking to that this morning, but then decided to leave it. We've spent enough time (formally at least) kicking the guy on the site. A cynic would argue that no matter how he performs, Drew is the big winner in the whole deal. You know, the whole matter of the extra 40 mil or whatever it is. I'm sure Scott Boras is still smiling.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | May 25, 2007 at 04:45 PM
BK,
You will have to excuse my gloating. I think this has worked out great for the Dodgers. Drew leaves, they bring in Gonzo with better O but less D. The only fly in the ointment is that Kemp appears to be going backwards. This would have been the best case scenario if Kemp were tearing things up in AAA. Both Kemp and Loney are well off of expectations this year. Have they changed hitting coaches or something? In fact, they have both fallen off so much that I wonder if they would no longer be as valuable for trade bait to bring in a slugger for the outfield or 3B.
Any rumors of trade talks that you can tell us about?
Posted by: Lex | May 26, 2007 at 10:40 AM
Lex-
Gloat away. I don't konw if the Blue are better off, though, at least not if Drew would have produced as he did last year. He's a better hitter than Gonzalez (don't tell that to Boston fans, of course). But you're right- it would be nice if Kemp and Loney were both tearing it up. I wouldn't worry too much about it, though, at least in terms of their trade value. Both, especially Kemp, still have a great deal of it.
In terms of trades, it's still way too early for serious speculation, but the big names are guys like Rolen, Glaus, etc. I saw Mark Teixiera (sp?) thrown around in rumors, too. So we'll see.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | May 26, 2007 at 01:16 PM