With a 5-3 loss last night to San Francisco, the Los Angeles Dodgers' lead in the National League West has narrowed to one game over the Padres. The next two games at Dodger Stadium will be key, as a No Cal sweep over So Cal would move the Giants into a virtual tie with the Dodgers in the NL West. One player who will have absolutely no impact in either of the remaining games against the Giants is pitcher Mark Hendrickson (he's scheduled to start Saturday against the Pads). And given his lack of immediate importance, it's no coincidence that Mark is the subject in Part 5 of our 436 Part Series, Better Know a Dodger.
Better Know a Dodger . . . Mark Hendrickson
Better Know a Dodger . . . Andre Ethier
Despite the Los Angeles Dodgers' 7-2 loss Wednesday night in Colorado, no team in Major League Baseball can boast more wins (10) than the Blue Crew heading into Thursday's action. Led by an airtight bullpen, the Dodger pitching staff (2nd best ERA in the National League) has driven much of the team's early season success. This, of course, is a horrible segue (in fact no segue at all) to the subject of Part 4 in our 436-Part Series, "Better Know a Dodger" - outfielder, Andre Ethier.
Better Know a Dodger . . . Marlon Anderson
On the heels of taking two games out of three from the San Diego Padres this weekend, the Dodgers have run their record to 8-4, and trail the division leading Arizona Diamondbacks by only one-half game. First place will be up for grabs when the Dodgers travel to Phoenix for a two-game set on Monday. A small component of the Dodgers' on-field success thus far has been the play of veteran utility player Marlon Anderson. Although he's had a limited impact in 2007, Anderson still will garner unlimited attention as the subject of Part 3 of our 436-Part Series, "Better Know a Dodger."
Better Know a Dodger . . . Joe Beimel
Three Dodger pitchers combined on a 2-hit shutout, and Nomar Garciaparra hit a 2-run single to lead Los Angeles to a 3-0 victory last night over the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium. Left-handed set-up relief pitcher Joe Beimel was not one of the pitchers involved in the shutout. Nevertheless, Mr. Beimel does have the good fortune of being the subject in Part 2 of our 436-Part series, "Better Know a Dodger".
Better Know a Dodger . . . Wilson Valdez
With an off-day on Thursday, and a big series coming up this weekend against the Giants, it felt like the right time to begin introducing our readers to the new members of the 2007 Los Angeles Dodgers. So, with apologies to Stephen Colbert, below is Part One of our 436-Part Series, "Better Know a Dodger". And who better to start with than perhaps the most anonymous of Dodgers, shortstop Wilson Valdez.
Colbert Pokes Fun at California's 31st District
We can't say that we're regular viewers of Stephen Colbert's show, but every now and then he hits it out of the park and thanks to YouTube we get to see those moments without having to fill up our TiVos with the times he doesn't. With that said, his 430-part series "Better Know a District" is pure edutainment hilarity. Recently Colbert visited with 7-term Congressman Xavier Becerra, and thanks to Atwater Village Newbie, we...

