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I hesitantly went to the Dodger game against the Giants this past Friday. The only reason I went was because it was a fundraiser for my friend’s school. Thankfully the Dodgers won the game 8-3 which is a better result than the last several games I attended. But if you want me to remember anything about the game you’ve got me. Sadly the only memorable thing was seeing that High School Musical actorhomo being mobbed.
As for the Dodger season, this season was quite memorable in the way it imploded. One of the common refrains I uttered was, “The Dodgers need to stop playing lethargically.” They never did stop, and sadly it caught up with them after the All Star Break.
As upsetting and disappointing as this season was given the expectations, at least they gave us fans the dignity of not having a seven game lead in the division on September 13 only to completely collapse and not make the postseason. To that I’m grateful. See? I’m trying to be optimistic!
In my last Dodger-related post I fervently said that Grady Little should be fired. I’m glad to see Dodger owner Frank McCourt doesn’t read my writing. No really. Because he is committed to sticking to this car wreck of a manager. He actually approves of these line-ups created after having one too many whisky-on-the-rocks.
Seeing as how that plan is wrecked, I really don’t see them making any move to get any free agents or any trades. There is that Johan Santana deal for Matt Kemp and Clayton Kershaw which I’m lukewarm to at best. But I really don’t think there will be an A-Rod. And although Brave’s centerfielder Andruw Jones would be appealing, there’s no way the Dodgers can move Slappy McPopup (better known as Juan Pierre).
But remember, the field level will get an expanded concourse so we can buy more shitty food and overpriced watered down beer! ¡Que maravilloso!
So what are the Dodgers going to do this offseason? I have no fucking clue. And unfortunately it’s this lack of direction that will have us waiting yet another 20 years for a whiff of World Series glory.
As for this season, the Dodgers MVP is clearly Russell Martin. Having started 142 games, the most in the Major Leagues and third most in Dodger history behind Mike Piazza in 1993 and 1995, he was the anchor for the pitchers. His OPS of .843 and 21 steals – the most steals for a Dodger catcher – certainly didn’t hurt what little offense the Dodgers had.
The Rookie of the Year would have to go to James Loney. After displacing the oft-injured Nomar Garciaparra at first base, he was the often the only consistent source of Dodger offense during the supposed postseason surge. He wound up with a .331 batting average and an OPS of an astounding .919. Defensively he showed a lot of promise at first base, but he’s young and will prove to be gold glove caliber in years to come. If anyone is untouchable, he is it aside from Martin.
The Dodger Cy Young would definitely have to go to Brad Penny. He seemed to be a very different pitcher from last year. He posted a career low 3.03 ERA and held opponents to a .260 batting average.
So that’s it for the Dodgers 2007 season. I’ll comment on anything that pops up throughout the offseason. Now I can concentrate solely on all things football.
And if I had a vote in the season ending awards, here would be my ballot:
AL MVP: Alex Rodriguez (New York Yankees)
AL Rookie of the Year: Dustin Pedroia (Boston Red Sox)
AL Cy Young: C.C. Sabathia (Cleveland Indians)
AL Coach of the Year: Mike Scioscia (Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim)
NL MVP: Hanley Ramirez (Florida Marlins)
NL Rookie of the Year: Troy Tulowitzki (Colorado Rockies)
NL Cy Young: Jake Peavy (San Diego Padres)
NL Manager of the Year: Charlie Manuel (Philadelphia Phillies)
Note: MVP award does not mean Most Valuable Player on a Playoff Team. Let’s not punish Ramirez for being on a horrible team. Remember Andre Dawson won the NL MVP in 1987 on a last place Cubs team.
Photographic evidence the Dodgers actually won.
It's unfortunate the only memorable event was seeing that High School Musical actorhomo guy being mobbed upon leaving way before the seventh inning stretch. Doesn't he know it's rude to leave that soon? Asshole.
My last view of the field.
I wasted money on 25 Dodger games and this is the way the Dodgers thank me.
Me and my fellow Dodger bitches who attended all of these game together. Note the sheer exhaustion on our faces.
All Photos by Me. Well except the last one taken by a friend of a friend.
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No joy in Dodgertown.
Kemp should be in centerfield next year, Pierre in left. If gonzo grumbles, let him stew or move him to right (platoon w/ethier). Vets need to take their off-field/dugout duties seriously -- it isn't all about playing time.
Make off-season moves only for the long-term, give the kids a chance to prove themselves next year even if it means missing the playoffs again. It's a pyrrhic victory to make the playoffs if you trade away your future.
Gonzo is not coming back next season. He only had a one-year contract.
I totally agree with you about making long-term moves. I can stomach not making the playoffs but being competitive if it means seeing more James Loneys and Matt Kemps playing for the Dodgers.
That is why I'm not throwing Ned Colletti totally under the bus. Yet.
Only disagree with your NL Rookie Pick - Hunter Pence all the way! You said it yourself, don't punish the player for the bad performance of the team.
Back in June I would have agreed with you, but he got injured unfortunately. Last month I would have said Ryan Braun, but then I watched a Brewers game and saw what a liability he is on the field. Ouch.
Seriously?!? You're gay-bashing on the high school musical guy?!? I'm shocked and appalled at seeing that kind of language on this blog. I believe a public apology is needed immediately.
I'm with the above poster. I've never posted a comment before in regards to an LAist post, but the blatant use of homosexual slurs in this post makes Jimmy and (unfortunately) other authors on this website seem like juvenile, bigoted, assholes. Tiss Tiss, a public apology is indeed needed!
Tiss Tiss?
now im offended.
I hope #5 is being sarcastic.
Colletti and Little got a vote of confidence from the Dodger brass which is both a good and bad. Good because that means there isn't enough heat on Colletti to scrap the current plan and make a bunch of band-aid moves to win next year to save his job. Bad because it still means Colletti and Little are still employed by the Dodgers. I think Colletti has gotten by so far on not being Paul DePodesta, but if you were to turn your attention to the moves he has made he's a mediocre GM. Schmidt, Pierre, Gonzalez, Baez, Hendrickson, Mueller, Tomko... he's gotten all the credit in the world for not trading our prospects. Thank you? I guess? While I agree that the Dodgers have needed some veteran leadership, I don't think Colletti went after the right ones. Nomar is too introverted/injured/inconsistent to lead our youngsters. Kent is too surly and aloof. Gonzalez is a great clubhouse guy except he's washed up and playing for field time and the next contract. I agree with the previous commentors who said that our acquisitions need to fit into the long-term plan of the club. The Kemp-Kershaw for Johan rumor has been floating around for a while although I believe it would take more than that to acquire him. I'd love to throw Pierre in the deal just to get rid of him and his salary and I think the Twins would want another proven big leaguer in the package. I've been following Kemp's career since he was in Single-A ball and Kershaw since fatefully fell into our laps in the draft a couple years ago, and while it would hurt to deal such talented youngsters you have to listen if the best pitcher in baseball is available. I'd be happy with an A-Rod signing and no other deals, but that looks like a long shot.
About the MVP. If there are no clear-cut front runners for the award, then I can see throwing a bone to a player having an outstanding year on a crappy team (Hanley Ramirez). Don't get me wrong, Hanley Ramirez is stud, but how valuable is a player when his team finishes in last place 20 game below .500? I guess the Fish could've ended up 30 or 40 games below without Ramirez in the line-up, but does that constitute winning the MVP for the league? Matt Holliday carried his team on his back through September the way Vlad did in 2003 en route to his MVP. Jimmy Rollins just had a 30-30 season or a 20/20/20/20 season whichever impresses you more. He also pulled a Joe Namath by calling the division title back in the Spring and was the catalyst in that prediction coming to fruition. Personally, I think it's a toss-up between Holliday and Rollins. I agree with your other picks though.
As for Colletti, like I said before I don't want the same mistake to happen like when DePodesta got fired. I know a lot of people didn't like him - hell I still don't like him - but if we gave him some time to fully execute what he wanted it probably would have done some good. So I'm willing to give Colletti another year or two to see what he does.
As for the Ramirez as MVP, his VORP is 89.5 which means he gave the Marlins 89.5 more runs this season than an average replacement player at shortstop would have contributed. If that's not valuable, I don't know what is. Although I do have to admit I came close to picking Matt Holliday given the emotion of that play-in game.
And one more example of a horrible team getting the MVP named: Alex Rodriguez in 2003 when he was with the Texas Rangers. The difference with Rodriguez in 2003 and Ramirez this season is that Ramirez doesn't make the money ARod makes nor gets the media attention.