I've heard it said that these are not your granddaddy's Dodgers—Koufax, Drysdale, et la—but a brief stop at SI.com's Dodgers page drives home the fact that these aren't even last July's Dodgers.
Its random scrolling photo gallery is a study in failed experiments, second-rate players, fading vets, no-shows, and disabled-list victims, a reminder of how much this team has changed over the course of the season. I exaggerate slightly, but here are the Dodger greats I saw flash by, in order:
Juan Pierre: Many fans consider Pierre one of Colletti's worst bungles. For me, apart from his noodle arm, he's actually not that bad—he's just not as good as Andre Ethier, and he makes Manny Ramirez look like a gold glover. Still, bucking the stereotype, I have a soft spot for bunts and steals, so I've gotta cut Pierre some slack.
He would've had a chance to shine if Furcal hadn't had his ankle wrecked by the human pinball Jason Repko in Spring Training '07.
To refresh people's memories, after J.D. Drew announced he wanted to stay in L.A. at the end of '06 and then bolted for cash, GM Ned Colletti was in a bind. With Soriano (thankfully) turning his nose up at $124 million from the Dodgers and a slim FA market, Colletti was forced to cobble together an unorthodox one-two lineup in Furcal and Pierre, overpaying the latter.
The ankle injury to Furcal negated that strategy; his steals were down all '07. Now, thankfully, the outfield mess is untangled, Pierre's on the bench, and we have Manny Ramirez—which would be poetic justice for the Drew fiasco if only Scott Boras were the one shafted by the exchange.
Jeff Kent: I wish my favorite surly old warhorse could've ridden off into the sunset on a high note, instead of turning to stone like a troll before the dawn of the next generation.
But I must concede that Torre's made the wise decision by benching Kent. A gutsy decision, too, since the guy whom I cheer as "old man" (he's my age) worked his butt off to be ready for the postseason after arthroscopic surgery. Kent is a simple soul, really: two years ago, during an interview, he brushed off a reporter asking about his retirement plans, saying he knew reporters had to ask BS questions like that to fill airspace, but he "just want[ed] a #$@#! ring."
Having heard rumblings about the Dodgers' young guns dissing veteran players and coaches for two seasons, much as I love the kids, I hope Kent smacks one last clutch home run to show them how it's done. Not that they'll notice.
Jason Schmidt: One win, six starts, $47 million. AND he's a Giant. At least Kent gets booed by Giants fans.
Nomar Garciaparra: Don't get me wrong! I love Mr. Twitchy. He's like one of those fabulous guest stars who shows up in a few episodes every season and makes them memorable. As a pinch hitter, Nomar could be huge, but Joe Torre should always have a pinch runner ready to go.
Delwyn Young used up all the black medical tape making fake "rally dreads" for André Ethier.
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