Molly Knight rings in
I was actually going to write something in response to Bill Plaschke's column this morning about Matt Kemp and the prospects that he might end up moving in a deal. Good thing Molly Knight, a friend of ours from ESPN and a native and proud Angelino, was sufficiently outraged to do it first, freeing up the rest of my morning (ha ha). BK
Earlier today this newspaper ran a column from Bill Plaschke that all but blamed Matt Kemp for the Dodgers' free-fall into fourth place, and suggested that club officials will consider trading him for a veteran in the offseason. Why? Because the amiable Jeff Kent told some reporters that during this, the sunset of his career, some of the young players don't understand how to be professional or how to manufacture runs, and alluded to his belief that they don't know how to respect veterans like him.
By defending themselves in the media after Kent's barbed comments, rookies James Loney and Kemp unwittingly cast themselves as targets in the media's assault on youth. For reasons unknown to Dodger fans everywhere, certain veteran newspaper reporters snuggled up to the curmudgeonly Kent with boxes of Kleenex and abandoned puppies, and sharpened their pens to eviscerate the very young players whose performances have kept the team out of last place.
The Dodger youth movement hasn't gotten old; Luis Gonzalez (40), Nomar Garciaparra (34, brittle) and Kent (39) have.
At press time, Kemp was hitting .331 with 10 home runs, 40 runs batted in and 10 stolen bases in just 275 at-bats. Loney was hitting .335 with 14 HR, 63 RBI and a slugging percentage of .538 in 325 AB.
Despite having 137 more at-bats than Loney this year, Gonzalez has only hit one more home run and collected three more RBI. His batting average is 60 points lower, and his slugging percentage 107 points lower. Garciaparra has 106 more at-bats than Loney, and has seven fewer home runs, four fewer RBI and is slugging a paltry .371 percent.
Kemp and Loney earned a combined $770,000 this year, whereas the Dodgers pay Garciaparra and Gonzalez a combined $14.85 million.
While Kent's production on the field has remained above par, his attitude and mentoring skills have dipped further below it, insiders say. Some call it interesting that Kent would bemoan rookie ambivalence given the grief he gave his veteran teammates as a young player. In a New York Times article from 1992 that Riverside Press Enterprise writer Diamond Leung recently posted on his blog, we are reminded of Kent's halcyon days:
"Kent, the second baseman acquired in the trade for David Cone last month, effectively squared off with the rest of the Mets on Sunday night, refusing to submit to a clubhouse prank and wear the ridiculous outfit the players had substituted for his street clothes in his locker....
"It appeared today that it was going to be difficult for Kent to extricate himself from his isolated clubhouse position, and, in fact, the 24-year-old, who doesn't bother to disguise his temper or arrogance, appeared determined not to soften his stance....
"He was quoted in a Toronto Globe and Mail article last weekend as saying New York was worse than he had imagined, and was reported to have taken verbal swipes at Toronto third baseman Kelly Gruber, the man he had filled in for in 1992....
" 'He was not well liked in his own clubhouse,' a former official with the Blue Jays said of Kent's experience with Toronto's Class AA club. 'He's totally oblivious to what it takes to fit in with a team. And he had problems with the umpires within the first month of the season last year.' "
That Kent — who is widely known to be the last player to enter the clubhouse before each game and then sit at his corner locker reading car magazines — is given a platform to point fingers at those not promoting team chemistry is a dangerous situation when writers like Plaschke, who have more influence over personnel decisions than we realize, decide to take his word and run with it. Why should one of the most notoriously prickly teammates in modern baseball be given a chance to throw stones at glass rookies?
If the Dodgers field a lineup next year with Kent and not Kemp, the organization may be headed for another 20 years with nary a playoff series victory. A wise Dodger fan recently said the organization seems poised to throw the baby out with the bathwater. I'm all for it, so long as the baby is Kent.
-- Molly Knight, ESPN The Magazine
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RIGHT ON, MOLLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: DodgerBlueBalls | September 26, 2007 at 11:51 AM
Amen, Molly!!!! You're the best!!!
Posted by: Zach | September 26, 2007 at 11:53 AM
Perfectly said, Molly. That should be sent to every media person in LA who has anything to do with the Dodgers and memorized, and to the Dodgers' front office before they do anything stupid. Bravo.
Posted by: Craig Phillips | September 26, 2007 at 11:55 AM
That was one righteous post, Molly.
Posted by: Eric Enders | September 26, 2007 at 11:58 AM
Hooray for this piece. Please send this to McCourt, Colletti and Sam Zell. It's time to break up the Plaschke/Lasorda axis that has been responsible for mediocre baseball for the past 19 years. Not since 1946 with Ted Williams and Johnny Pesky has a team broken out two rookies with such amazing offensive numbers as Kemp and Loney...and whoever Plaschke is sock-puppeting for wants to dump one of them -- thinking this will improve the team!!!
Look, no one is untouchable. But Plaschke doesn't even identify a player he wants. He outlines a demographic profile: 27-31, must play baseball. Clearly, he thinks moving Kemp is addition by subtraction. That's only true if you're Luis Gonzalez and your job is threatened.
It's one thing if you're talking about a minor league prospect. But Kemp is now a proven entity who will only get better. If his production this year strikes Colletti as "incomplete," then may Kemp never meet Renee Zellwiger.
Posted by: Vail Beach | September 26, 2007 at 12:03 PM
Well written article and I agree Plaschke writes some pretty stupid stuff. He helped run DePodesta out of town and was on board for the McCourt hatchet job The Times sports page did along with Simers. He flip flops on a regular basis. The LA Times sports page does not have the talent it used to. There is better sports writing on the internet. But this is not a trade Kemp because Kent doesn't like him scenario. It's potentially (the Santanna rumor) trading a great prospect for a great pitcher. Let's stop with the chemsitry nonsense. I don't care if they like each other. Just win. I'd put Adolf Hitler in centerfield if his OPS+ was good and he had a decent arm. Even as a dead ex-dictator he could probably keep runners from taging from 1st to 2nd on a fly ball better than Pierre. Where's Ty Cobb when you need him.
Posted by: sickdodgerfan | September 26, 2007 at 12:03 PM
UCLADavid,
You actually made a deal with Scott Boras?
Posted by: Chunkdog32 | September 26, 2007 at 12:06 PM
Funny, while watching last night's game, I saw that Matt Kemp was hitting .353 in September. Not too shabby James Loney only had multiple hit games in his last 5 in a row.
I don't think the "kids" were the problem. 5-inning Brad, BP Loaiza and an overused bullpen might have have much more to do with the slide..
Posted by: Chunkdog32 | September 26, 2007 at 12:16 PM
Chunk,
It should also be pointed out that of the Dodgers 12 hits last night, 10 of them came from the rookies. Kent got one hit, Pierre got one hit. Nomar popped out (no shocker there, he always pops out these days), and Sweeney grounded out. Whereas, Loney went 3-5 with a homer, LaRoche went 2-5, Hu hit a homer, Delwyn Young (God we need to find a place for this guy to play) hit a homer. Ethier hit a nice double. Oh yeah, Matt Kemp (that enfant terrible) ran out a squib to third base. And on and on.
But, isn't it the vets who are supposed to produce in the clutch? Someone oughta tell Plaschke that. More importantly, someone ought to tell Colletti that.
Posted by: Dodgers '81 | September 26, 2007 at 12:48 PM
I have a new favorite writer from ESPN (other than the K Bros., of course).
Posted by: Va Dodger | September 26, 2007 at 12:59 PM
One interesting twist to these Kemp developments: Yahoo's MLB section posted a rumor today from Fox Sports that the Dodgers are talking to the Twins about trading Kemp and Clayton Kershaw for Johann Santana.
I love Kemp and I believe in his potential, but for Johann Santana? A 27-year-old lefty stud and Cy Young Award winner? If THAT'S the trade we're talking about, sign me up. I would do this in a heartbeat.
AK/BK: Have you heard any buzz on this, or do you think it's far-fetched?
Posted by: blue dodger | September 26, 2007 at 01:00 PM
When Kobe says bring me more talent so we can win and Phil supports him, Plaschke says they're traitors to the team. But when Kent makes personal attacks on the best players on the team, Plaschke says trade them. Without question, our 4 best players this year: Penny, Martin, Kemp and Loney. Did you see Simers knock Penny in today's column because he doesn't throw the innings Drysdale did? Couldn't have had anything to do with the fact that DePo brought Penny in, could it?
What's with Plaschke and Simers? Are they just bitter old guys who're jealous that the players make so much more $$? Does it make them feel powerful to try to confuse the fans and management into believing nonsense? Or just not-very-smart guys who someone made the mistake of giving a soapbox to?
Posted by: Save the Dodgers | September 26, 2007 at 01:12 PM
Go Molly!
If the Dodger management is as out of touch with things as Bill Plaschke is, next season is likely to be a real disaster.
Posted by: Steve | September 26, 2007 at 01:15 PM
I'm going to continue repeating this until I'm -- uh -- blue in the face: why is an ignoramus like Plaschke given the Times sports pages as a platform? This has to rank as Plaschke's stupidest article ever, and that's saying something after his insulting, mean-spirited first column after Paul DePodesta took the GM chair.
Posted by: Rob McMillin | September 26, 2007 at 01:24 PM
I think Mollie is right. But I am sticking to the thought that management needs to be in place to monitor discord and correct it when necessary. That did not happen this year. Kemp and Loney are truly magnificent and should only get better. To trade them now before their peek would not be lodgical. I also agree with Ned that some in between players would be of great help. How can all this happen?
AK/BK
Thanks for taking my call today. I enjoyed our conversation.
Rob
I think AK/BK really thought I was sucking up on their show today. However, I did find out that they are really quite knowledgeable and friendly.
Posted by: Package | September 26, 2007 at 01:26 PM
Brava, Ms. Knight!
Posted by: Eric B. | September 26, 2007 at 01:33 PM
Trade Kemp? Acquire a veteran? That's insane. I say get rid of all the veterans and their expensive baggage. Time to move on people.
Posted by: Rick Stebbins | September 26, 2007 at 01:37 PM
Great to see some equal time for sanity in the LA Times' Dodger coverage.
Plaschke clearly sees himself as a major player in the action surrounding the Dodgers, rather than as a commentator or journalist.
That's why he zealously attacks the guys he doesn't like (DePodesta and Kemp) while making excuses for his buddies (Ned and Grady).
Posted by: Tom | September 26, 2007 at 01:43 PM
Nice Kent research there MollyKnight
Posted by: bluebleeder | September 26, 2007 at 02:27 PM
Can somebody please post the article Plaschke wrote about the tremendous impact of these veteran Dodger pitchers on the 2007 season:
Mark Hendrickson (4-8 5.34)
Brett Tomko (2-11 5.80)
Esteban Loaiza (1-3 8.53)
Jason Schmidt (1-4 6.31)
Roberto Hernandez (0-2 6.64)
I don't read the LA Times or Bill Plaschke, but I'm sure the contributions of five veteran pitchers getting paid over $20 million combined who went 8-28 with an ERA over 6 haven't gone unmentioned, and I'm sure it was carried off with the wit we've come to expect from the LA Times sports page. Thanks!
Posted by: curiousdodgerfan | September 26, 2007 at 02:28 PM
"Jeff Kent told some reporters that during this, the sunset of his career, some of the young players don't understand how to be professional or how to manufacture runs, and alluded to his belief that they don't know how to respect veterans like him."
This from the guy that was thrown out at home when Ethier hit a sac fly.
I guess Kemp is the reason the Dodgers lost 2 of 3 against the Giants both towards the end of the game, or its Kemp fault everytime Esteban Loaiza gives up a jack. The only reason to watch the Dodgers after the All-star break was the kids coming up. In my opinon if the Dodgers trade away Kemp for some washed has been, like the one Plaschke thinks this team needs. I am changing my name to Angel2940.
Posted by: Dodger2940 | September 26, 2007 at 02:33 PM
Thanks for writing this Molly and thank you posting it BK.
As a long time Dodger fan I've been sick to my stomach reading the horse crap that Simers, Plaschke, and others have been writing about the young Dodger players. It is just infuriating to see the best players on the team criticized when they have been giving it their all and succeeding. What do the young players need to do? Hit .350? Is that enough? Make fewer base running mistakes than Kent and his veteran buddies? Well they already do so that can't be it.
Obviously, the team has holes and I'm not opposed to filling those holes with players from outside the organization, but the last thing the Dodgers need are more washed up, going on 40, friendly to the media and a dick to everyone else players. You want to sign a free agent like Arod to fill the hole at 3B? Go right ahead, but the last thing we need to do is trade Matt Kemp (or Loney, Martin, Bills, or Brox). We've got tons of great players here who will be playing cheaply for the next several seasons so it makes perfect sens to splurge on a free agent, but it better be for someone really good. No more of this blocking prospects with guys playing out the string due to some asinine "beating down the door" policy.
We've won the baseball lottery and developed young players who are on the verge of becoming superstars. We should be enjoying this, but instead we have to listen to these guys get hammered by guys who've got nothing left and some columnists who never had it to begin. /rant off
Posted by: Chris H | September 26, 2007 at 02:37 PM
Great article Molly, you have articulated perfectly what many knowledgeable Dodger fans have been frustrated about in the last week. Since when did Jeff Kent become a media darling?
As for Santana - while he is one of the best in the biz, he's only under contract for one more year. Some might say it makes it easier to sign him to an extension, but I'd rather take my chances with him in free agency and hold onto two key cogs in our future success.
Posted by: Nick | September 26, 2007 at 02:40 PM
Plaschke defends ridiculous and constantly shifting positions, seeming as a test of his own rhetorical skill. It is hard to imagine that he actually believes the stuff he writes.
Thanks to Mollly Knight for bringing the light of reason to LA Times writing about the Dodgers.
Posted by: D. Franz | September 26, 2007 at 02:41 PM
De Podesta? How many years ago was that. As a Dodger fan, I am glad there is a local team that plays like the Dodgers should, The Angels. What killed the Dodgers was not Plashke, nor the feuds between the young and old players, but the boring baseball play. The Dodgers base-running rarely challenged any teams. Furthermore, the length of that cold streak from the all-star break to mid-August was horrible. Grady is a nice guy, but he needs to go.
Get rid of Kent, Gonzalez, and Kemp. Until Kemp learns to hit a decent curve, he will not be a clutch hitter. Kemp's potential brings back memories of Mike Marshall and Greg Brock. There were times Kemp would be up with two strikes, I would be watching from the reserve seats in right field, and I would watch in disbelief while he was frozen by a big hanging curve ball with two men on base. Kemp may have the average, but he chokes. .333 avg. and only 40 rbi's? 10 of those 40 was himself.
What the team needs is a new line-up. Martin leading off, the Furcal, Ethier, Loney, a healthy Nomar, two rookies and Pierre eighth. That will at least be more exciting that this years borefest.
Lastly, 20 yrs without a world series. Simply embarrassing.
Good column by the way.
Posted by: Albert | September 26, 2007 at 02:54 PM