Manny-ing up
If you're a big fan of understatement, I'll throw out a sentence that oughta tickle your fancy: Manny Ramirez is having an effect on the Dodgers.
The skills and swagger that have accompanied Ramirez throughout his career appears to have grown contagious in the Dodger clubhouse and if that's considered a disease, don't expect Stan Conte to call up his buddies in the medical industry for a vaccine. Hits synonymous with Manny being Manny were on display throughout the afternoon's 9-3 whupping of Arizona, the team now just a game ahead of the Blue in the NL West. Multiple knock games were enjoyed by Casey Blake (2), Matt Kemp (3) and James Loney (2), but everyone took a back seat to the dreadlocked one's particularly huge box score. 4-5 at the dish (although I thought the fourth hit was really an error by Mark Reynolds) with a homer and three ribbies, leading his squad in that particular stat for the second straight contest.
"He's certainly changed the personality of our lineup," noted Joe Torre
of the team-wide production and confidence with #99 on their side.
"They're not going to want to pitch to him, especially with men on, so
it figures that guys at the top will get better pitches to hit." Or
maybe not. Joked Russell Martin, "I felt like they've been pitching
around me to get to him." Torre may have also revealed the true reason
behind the push for his new superstar to clean up the locks. Remarking
how difficult his days managing the Yankees were with Manny playing for
their biggest rival, Torre said he "lost a lot of hair playing against
him." Revenge tactic, anyone?
The breakdown is below.
The Good
- Manny Ramirez: Another outing that demonstrates exactly why the front office made him a So Cal resident. "His game is exciting, man," gushed Kemp. "Having him on our team is crazy." That electricity and enthusiasm felt by his teammates, manager and new fans was matched by Ramirez's production, highlighted by including his second appearance with a bash, this one into the left field seats. #512 on a career, which puts him in a 20th place tie with Ernie Banks and Eddie Matthews.
- Matt Kemp: Not content to let the dude manning his opposite outfield corner hog all the home run/three hit glory, Kemp blasted an 8th inning Jay Rauch fastball into the All-You-Can-Eat section. That jack matched Ramirez for both stats... until two at bats later, when Manny was given a somewhat generous fourth base hit. As Torre has been pointing out constantly over the last three or so weeks, Kemp's growth continues in steady fashion.
- The bats: On a day where Ramirez reached #20 all-time HR charts, the hits just kept on coming for the Blue. 16 in all, with every starter nabbing at least one. Arizona starter Doug Davis was absolutely shelled and every Arizona pitcher except Leo Rosales gave up at least a run.
- James Loney: Stephen Drew opened the game with a routine grounder to Angel Berroa that became anything but when the shortstop's throw to first went very low and right. Loney not only made the snare, but managed to take his foot off the bag during the stretch, then shifted a toe back on the base just in time to beat Drew. Very difficult stuff.
- Relief pitching: Between Brian Falkenborg, Cory Wade (the eventual winner), Hong-Chih Kuo and Ramon Troncoso picked up where Johnson left off and held the opposition at zilch over 4.2 innings. Good work that also allowed key closers Joe Beimel and Jonathon Broxton some extra rest for the next series.
The Bad
- Jason Johnson: His debut frame yielded no runs, but also required seventeen pitches to reach that conclusion, a potential omen that nothing would come easy. His follow up frame proved the signs correct. Counts worked full before nabbing a strikeout (or a walk). A two out RBI-single surrender to- of all people- Davis, a serious mistake compounded when Drew laced a ball into right for another score. The ensuing pair of innings went three up/three down, but any turned corner took another 180 after Drew took Johnson into the right field stands during frame five. Cue Brian Falkenborg to clean up what wasn't the sharpest 4.1 innings for the spot starter. Thankfully, the combo of bad D-Back tosses and deadly blue bats helped offset the difficulties.
The FREAKIN' AWESOME!!!
- Pablo Ozuna's triple: In for Jeff Kent and taking just his seventh at-bat of the year, Ozuna launched one into deep center that appeared in danger of getting run down by Chris Young. But once it landed just outside the center fielder's reach, Ozuna responded with a clap and an emphatic fist pump while rounding first, which set up the sprint's coup de grace: A skying leap into third base launched about 10-15 feet before reaching the bag. Necessary? Absolutely not. The most hilariously entertaining thing I've seen in many moons? Definitely. "I thought he was gonna puncture his lungs," chuckled Torre. "He was airborne there for a while." No slouch himself when it comes to running the bases, Kemp was impressed by the slide (of sorts). "It was tight. I liked that. I need to learn how to do that." The only person indifferent to the whole thing was Ozuna, who said he could go bigger if needed and couldn't even tell how high he was. "It's normal," smiled the infielder of the plunge.
Another writer thought the showiness could lead to Ozuna getting beaned on his next at bat. My response? "What, seven weeks from now?"
AUDIO
- Joe Torre: Download joe_torre_az.mp3
- Manny Ramirez: Download manny_az4.mp3
- Russell Martin: Download russel_martin_az_4.mp3
- Matt Kemp: Download matt_kemp_az4.mp3
- Jason Johnson: Download jason_johnson_az4.mp3
- Pablo Ozuna: Download pablo_ozuna_az4.mp3
- Derek Lowe (on Manny Ramirez): Download derek_lowe.mp3
AK
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WOW!! I went to the game on Friday and Sunday, and unless you're there, it's hard to describe the engery in the ballbark with Manny there. Lots of fans stand up and give him a standing ovation before he comes to the plate, or runs off the field...pretty amazing! I think the fans (me included) are showing their appreciation for a guy who can deliver with runners on base
And you can just tell by reading the body language of the other players that they are also engergized and it looks like they are having fun too!!...maybe Manny is reminding these guys that baseball is a pretty simple game, you see the ball and hit the ball, so have fun playing ball!
Amazing stuff!! And Arizona quite frankly was overwhelmed today, no other way around it.
Go Blue!
Posted by: ADRIAN | August 03, 2008 at 07:11 PM
Pierre-'doin' his business' one infield hit in 5 ab's
Posted by: DavidS | August 03, 2008 at 07:26 PM
I liked the Manny trade as soon as I heard we didn't give up Kemp or Ethier orLoney or Martin or Billz or Kerrshaw or any of the other can't miss prospects.
But let's hold off a minute before we anoint Manny the starting left fielder for the next seven years. Clubhouse chemistry is always fantastic when you're winning. It's when you're losing and punching out traveling secretaries that character and chemistry are tested.
Manny is going to be on best behavior for the next two months. He needs to prove to the entire league that he's still the best hitter in baseball and deserves more than $20 million for the next three or four years. He wanted out of his club options because he wanted to be a free agent in 2009, not 2011, when he'll be 38 and past his prime.
Will the Dodgers be fool enough to sign him to a long-term deal? I say let's wait and see how this season plays out before we make any promises. If this team has two salient faults its 1) making promises and proclamations long before they're necessary; and 2) signing guys to too-long deals, especially outfielders.
Now if we can just get Andre Ethier back in the lineup instead of Juan Pierre, the Dodgers just might win this whole thing.
Posted by: SaMo | August 03, 2008 at 07:36 PM
I like Either but at his best he'll never be a Manny type even when Manny is 36, 37 or 38 years old.
Putting your future in a guy like Either is like putting your hope into 500 ball.
Kemp, Loney, Russell and Either...these guys aren't big impact players. They're solid players but the Dodgers need impact players to make these guys better.
Kemp does have impact potential but that's up in the air for the next 2 seasons. He's no Pujols, who came into the league smacking homers.
No we need a Manny type player. No correction, we need two Manny type players to go with Kemp, Loney, Russell and Either but to have two impact players one of them has to go. And between Kemp, Loney, Russell and Either...Either is the odd man out if we get 2 Manny impact type players.
mike t.
Posted by: Michael C. Teniente | August 03, 2008 at 08:11 PM
Was at the game last night. Manny hitting that one out, well, it was almost like Finley's GS to clinch the pennant a couple of years ago. The place was on fire. We can go ahead and second guess anything til the cows come home, but let's face it--this is the best thing that could've happened to the Dodgers, at least for this season. This could be our year.
Posted by: Mountaineer | August 03, 2008 at 08:44 PM
Mike-
Obviously if they get another HOF caliber guy, you reconsider the situation, but for most fans right now the choice is between Ethier and Pierre, independent of Manny. No question Ethier would lose time to Ramirez, but many, including myself, think they're a better team when Ethier players for Pierre. Given that they're not likely to pick up another impact player like Manny this season, that's the choice in front of Joe Torre.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | August 03, 2008 at 08:57 PM
I'm not anti-Pierre, as he's obviously good enough to be a starter on a World Series champion - after all, he's done it - but Ethier does everything better except run.
Posted by: WBB | August 03, 2008 at 09:13 PM
And what Either does is almost the same as Kemp, Loney and Russell are doing now. We need speed at the top of the order and Kemp is too big to be that speedster. Kemp has too much power to be asking him to bunt and stuff like that.
But anyway, BK, are you saying that with Kemp, Loney, Russell and Either the Dodgers will average 20 runs a season next year?
LOL!
mike t.
Posted by: Michael C. Teniente | August 03, 2008 at 09:32 PM
Just check out today's highlights of Greg Maddox win. The guy is smooth. It's hard not to be a fan of his. The guy has pride in what he does. Great fielder, too.
I was opposed to a trade for Maddox before the deadline but if I would have known we were going to get Manny, I would have been happy to get Maddox, too.
mike t.
Posted by: Michael C. Teniente | August 03, 2008 at 09:41 PM
WBB, Pierre was a good player in 2003, all things considered. Of course, his defense was better then than now. He got on base at an above average pace, and while not a power hitter was not as pathetic as he is now. Now, the best that can be said is that he is better than Andruw Jones. But as you said, not as good as Ethier.
With Pierre's pitiful arm and reduced range, he's a left fielder now, who plays center with Manny in left since Pierre just can't handle right at all. The best defensive outfield - assuming Kemp and Ramirez are in the lineup - has Ramirez in left, Kemp in center, and Ethier in right. That also is the best offense out of all outfield options.
I will say that Pierre is a useful player if used properly. He still isn't an utter embarrassment in center; and would be a nice defensive replacement for Manny late in games. He is an excellent baserunner, useful as a pinchrunner. But as you implied - he shouldn't be starting. And the Dodgers could easily enough find a more useful player to be a backup even. But I'm just hoping that the Dodgers eat Jones' contract - I don't see the Dodgers eating both horrendous outfield contracts.
Posted by: akrasian | August 03, 2008 at 09:42 PM
"And what Either does is almost the same as Kemp, Loney and Russell are doing now. "
Yes, being decent offensively. Unlike Pierre. Even with his base stealing, Pierre is a very bad offensive outfielder overall. Add in that he is worse defensively than Ethier and Kemp in the outfield, and it's a slamdunk that he should be on the bench behind Ethier.
BTW, you do realize that leadoff hitters end up getting most of their plate appearances not actually leading off an inning, right? And leadoff hitters who get out over 2/3 of the time are crappy, even if they are fast.
Posted by: akrasian | August 03, 2008 at 09:54 PM
What is Pierre worrying about? He really thinks Andruw Jones is going to start hitting? He must be seeing something everyone else isn't.
If by any MIRACLE Jones does start hitting, should the Dodgers play Jones or Pierre? If both of them hit at a .270-.280 mark the rest of the year, who should play center field?
Posted by: Tom | August 03, 2008 at 09:54 PM
The most overrated thing in baseball today is speed. The IMPORTANT things are the ability to get on base and hit the ball with extra base power. The bottom line: Almost every Dodger will score from 2nd on a routine single, whether it's Juan Pierre or Mark Sweeney. The problem with Pierre is that he flat makes too many outs. Because he never walks, he has to hit .340 to be truly effective. That's what he did for the Marlins, and hasn't done since. Because of all of the above, Ethier is the best choice to join Kemp and manny in the outfield. Ethier gets on base more often, and can hit with authority. Why is this so hard for people to understand? This isn't 1968 anymore. Runs are not at a premium...they MUST come in volume. For that, you need men on base and people that hit with authority. Juan Pierre is an anachronism.
Posted by: twerp1 | August 03, 2008 at 10:10 PM
Broxton arm feel better.
Broxton want dreadlocks too.
Posted by: Benzo Jones | August 03, 2008 at 10:20 PM
Excellent points, twerp. Juan Pierre has now had zero walks in his last approximately 125 plate appearances. The concept of Pierre being even a bad leadoff hitter is absurd. He is not merely a bad leadoff hitter, he's the worst in baseball. Then, once you take into account all the plate appearances where he doesn't lead off, then it's time to check out his OPS, which is absolutely pathetic.
This Dodger team, with its pitching staff plus the addition of Manny and Casey, has a chance to go deep into the playoffs if the right personnel are used and the batting order is done correctly. We could have had a sweep of the Snakes if Ethier had started all four games. At least now that we have Manny, we don't have the corpse of Jeff Kent batting cleanup anymore. If Nomar can return on Aug 12th, our best lineup is:
Kemp CF
Ethier RF
Martin C
Manny LF
Loney 1B
Nomar SS
Kent 2B
Casey 3B
Pitcher
I realize that Joe's continued infatuation with Kent will have him slotted into the 5th or 6th spots in the order, depending on if a LHP or RHP is on the mound. But realistically, it should be Nomar and Loney switching off in those two spots. However, if you check out that lineup, there is a lot of scoring potential there. I don't have confidence Joe will put that lineup out there, though.
Posted by: The Dude Abides | August 03, 2008 at 11:24 PM
what i hate about the Manny deal is that Flanders might have saved his job. I'm betting Logan orchestrated the whole deal.
Posted by: 88 | August 03, 2008 at 11:24 PM
"I'm betting Logan orchestrated the whole deal."
If he did, it was to save the minor league system from worse damage.
I said it elsewhere, but while I think the Dodgers gave up too much for two months of Manny, at least they traded for an elite player, instead of trading value for mediocre players.
Posted by: akrasian | August 04, 2008 at 12:18 AM
Dude - Casey batting under Kent??? Are you trying to "Ethierize" him?
88 - Don't worry every time McCourt signs AJ's check and Schmidt's Check I'm SURE he remembers how poopy Collettitus is.
WWLWD?
Posted by: Benzo Jones | August 04, 2008 at 06:26 AM
Wait until Manny starts dogging it. Wait until he refuses to play, run out ground balls, trips in the outfield, refuses to pinch hit, slaps around someone on the team, knee hurts, hammy is pulled, etc. etc. You guys are on your honeymoon right now. Good Luck!
Posted by: Bob from Boston | August 04, 2008 at 08:22 AM
The Red Sox fired Manny and gave him two months severance pay. Then they traded two rookies Hansen (no confidence) Moss (5th outfielder) to the Pirates for Jason Bay. To make it look like a trade the Dodgers picked up Manny’s rights and sent two equally disappointing players to the Pirates. The real losers here are the Pirates.
Manny got fired because he couldn't keep his mind on the 08 season. He began 08 by stating he wanted to finish his career in Boston. He played with hustle and enthusiasm through June. Then he started putting out feelers for contract talks. The feelers were ignored because the Sox have him under options through 09. Then he started misbehaving. It was really frustrating watching a talent like Manny tank his teammates on purpose.
You know, it was just like Kobe in the finals.
In Manny's mind saying he wants to end his career as a Dodger, is Manny speak for lets talk about a contract. I predict that in about three weeks Manny's interest in the Dodgers takes a nose dive if there are no meaningful contract talks.
You will marvel at his hitting abilities. Manny can hit any type of pitch to any part of the ballpark. There has never been a "Manny Shift". Manny can pick his moments too. If he doesn't get what he wants he can suck the life out of the team and the fans.
He needs a team like the Giants or the Blue Jays where he can work on his stats (Wade Boggs) and nobody cares how those stats actually matter.
Posted by: Max Biziconti | August 04, 2008 at 08:31 AM
Mike T,
But haven't you seen Ethier or Kemp's calf muscles? They are wwaayyy bigger than Juan Pierre's, and just might have better form and tone than your beloved Kwame Brown's!!!
Posted by: DodgerBlueBalls | August 04, 2008 at 08:41 AM
What an entrance by Manny. Too bad our new 3B didn't get a (well deserved) curtain call on his first dinger - but he's not Manny. Hopefully, he will continue to hit and combine with the rest or f the team to do some damage in October.
Some startling comparisons from another blogger I had to share:
"His (Manny) eight hits are a quarter of what Andruw Jones has had all season, and his five RBI puts him just eight below Jones’ season total… although that’s not saying much since Jones is only thirteen RBIs above my grandma’s season total."
Posted by: Jack C from DC | August 04, 2008 at 10:05 AM
I still wish the Dodgers had given FAJ a contract worth $1 million per RBI. They'd be saving $5 mil right now.
Posted by: SaMo | August 04, 2008 at 10:15 AM
In response to Max, I think Manny might be able to hold it together for the rest of season, if his agent convinces him to remain focused and on building up his numbers. I will miss Manny in some ways. I watched a lot of Manny at Fenway and nothing is more exciting as a baseball fan than watching him hit a huge home over EVERYTHING when it mattered, like last year when he hit a walk off in the playoffs against the Angels. He was exiting to watch. However, enduring his lackadaisical play in left field, him walking off the field without even attempting to run out a ground ball, talking to fans and ignoring the play on the field, is not. When he started to take days off due to phantom injuries and fight with his teammates, even Papi wasn't defendng him.
Posted by: Soxgirl0407 | August 04, 2008 at 10:49 AM
Benzo, initially I penciled in Kent at the 8th spot, but moved him back up to 7th in the interest of locker room harmony. Yes, it sounds dumb, but it would be too much of a topic of conversation with our local Pulitzer Prize-winning scribes who don't understand statistics.
Posted by: The Dude Abides | August 04, 2008 at 11:26 AM