You can't make this up
.200 ball over 10 games in the heart of a pennant race ought to bury a team, but in this NL West, "ought" has very little to do with anything. They may have only won two games, but the Dodgers made 'em count. Sunday night, the LA took the rubber game of their critical series in Arizona 8-1, behind a strong effort from Derek Lowe on the mound and big nights at the dish from Andre Ethier and Casey Blake against Arizona ace and NL Cy Young favorite Brandon Webb. That means the Blue come home to kick off a three game set Monday three games under .500 but only 2.5 games back in the division. On the 21st, they left town three games over and two behind the Snakes. Sure, you always want to make progress, but people, 2-8! Fair to say the Dodgers have much for which to be thankful.
One bummer, though, was the news on Jeff Kent. His troublesome left knee will require an arthroscopic procedure, which will put him out anywhere from two to eight weeks. Obviously, somewhere in the neighborhood of the latter means he'd be done for the year, and very possibly his career. Hopefully he makes it back this season. Love him or hate him, a guy who has had a career like his deserves to finish it on the field.
BK
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BK,
Kent can finish on the field for some other team! I actually have HOPE that this team might gel as a team now that Kent is off the ship. Kent is a SOLID Major League veteran hitter but these last couple of years, he just seems to be poison to the young guns. Instead of guiding them, he scolds.. .. the team should of been given to the kids this year after last years fiasco.
Maybe I'm being unfair, but Kent has rubbed me the wrong way with his latest comments... joke or not, there was some truth to his statement... and Kent really doesn't have the sense of humor to be joking about that.
Posted by: Rob | August 31, 2008 at 11:57 PM
blue crew are undefeated since gramps (a.k.a. kent) went down......coincidence? (me thinx not!).......maybe his career as dodger is finally over......(we can certainly hope so, such a "cancer" on the team!!!)
Posted by: BettyWedder | September 01, 2008 at 12:03 AM
BK,
Kent could have done a lot to garner sympathy for himself. He chose to be a jerk, and this is the cosmic payback. Even if he has had "a career like his", maybe he does deserve to have it end like this.
Blake DeWitt is my second baseman now.
I just hope Kent doesn't have them super Juan Pierre healin' genes.
Curious to see what they do with him on the Roster, do you burn a spot, or fill it and leave Kent off the post season roster?
Posted by: Benzo Jones | September 01, 2008 at 01:53 AM
Like I said in earier post they are better off with out him, they seem to becoming a team. For some reason I don't know what but the dodgers with Kent looked stone faced and unemotional, no drive. Yes Kent was a great pro hats off but well paid for so I really can't feel sorry for this millionare.
Posted by: pk-mesa | September 01, 2008 at 02:28 AM
Just when I think I am done with the Dodgers, they suck me back in...now with series against the Padres and D-backs, I wonder if maybe these bums can actually pull it off. Bring on the Cubs!
Posted by: Anthony | September 01, 2008 at 02:55 AM
Go figure.
Posted by: ApaulO | September 01, 2008 at 05:04 AM
OK, they guy doesn't have the most bubbly personality......but if he wasn't around the past month we'd be alot more than 2 1/2 games back right now. The guys oldschool, what can you say? Best offensive 2nd basemen of all time and he deserves his due.
That being said a "break" from Kent could certainly relax the kids a bit though i don't know how much they really paid attention to the old man in the first place.
Posted by: Mike G | September 01, 2008 at 06:56 AM
BK,
That's keeping it in perspective. If you'd have told me before the trip that the Dodgers would lose only 1/2 game by the time it was over, I'd probably have taken it, but I figured they'd go 4-6 or 5-5 on the trip and would feel better if they had even if their place in the standings wouldn't have been any better if the DBacks had gone 5-4 over the same period.
I guess if they were going to go 2-8, they won the 2 they most needed.
It seems their ultimate fate this season will hinge not only on winning at least 2 of 3 vs AZ this week-end, but on how well they play against the Padres down the stretch. They play them 9 times, which seems strange. They haven't played well against them the last few seasons. They'll definitely need to do so now to win this horrid division. They definitely have an advantage in the schedule down the stretch - playing the Pirates and Pads while the DBacks play the Cards 7 times, the Reds and have 3 more against the Rockies than the Blue......of course, AZ is up 3 games in the loss column at this point.
Posted by: OhioVic | September 01, 2008 at 06:57 AM
Well the curse is down for the count...now we can come together and make the playoffs....Once we make it then I'll welcome him back with open arms (maybe) for the post season.
Posted by: K T | September 01, 2008 at 08:41 AM
I agree with benzo...It's karma man. You just cant' be an ass your whole life. That doesn't work well in the long run. The stuff he said about Vinnie just pissed God off way to much. Vinnie gets the last laugh, although I'm sure he's not laughing ...he's got to much class. Now the ass can sit on his ass........why don't ya just fade away.
Posted by: dodgerdog | September 01, 2008 at 09:27 AM
For those saying bad things about Jeff, get a sense of humor. the guy was joking. He said some of the same things at the WIN baseball clinic which he has hosted for the last 4 years. Have you ever met the guy? I have attended these clinics, I''ve seen him how great he is with fans, especially kids. At this year's baseball clinic, a camera guy covering the event came to tell me "I did not know Kent is a nice guy" He just doesn't like it to be known.
.
I have season tickets at Dodger Stadium and see him how he is with fans. He is really a nice guy with a different sense of humor. I noticed that when the kids run to each position player to get autographs prior to the game, Jeff gets down to the kid's level to talk to them, sign the ball, give them batting gloves and pat them on their heads with such a big smile. I for one, will miss him when he is gone. At an autograph signing he told me "there you are". "I am sorry, what is your name?" I was like wow! He remembers me? He wants to know my name?. I know Jeff has as much respect for Vin as I do. Winning and meeting Vin was the highlights of my trip to Arizona during the labor day weekend.
Posted by: crzblue | September 03, 2008 at 12:29 PM