The Rest Is Gravy
For the second time in three years the Los Angeles Dodgers have made it to the playoffs. It wasn’t easy. Only a few days ago they trailed both the San Diego Padres for the National Division title and the Philadelphia Phillies for the wildcard playoff spot. I was getting worried the Dodgers wouldn’t live up to the playoff prediction I made back in July, but my buddy Johnny Ringo reassured me that the Dodgers had a better team than San Diego and Philly.
The playoff berth was particularly satisfying for a couple of reasons. First of all, the Dodgers clinched it by beating the San Francisco Giants on Saturday and ended the season on a high note by completing the sweep on Sunday. The other reason that this post-season opportunity is so gratifying is because the moves that the Dodgers made at the trade deadline really paid off. I'm sure the Dodgers would have fallen short if they hadn’t gone out and acquired Greg Maddux, Wilson Betemit, and Julio Lugo.
I have to give team owner Frank McCourt some credit. I’ve criticized him in the past for not spending enough money for players, being obsessed with the Boston Red Sox, getting rid of the player names on the jerseys, etc. However, his decision to dump Paul DePodesta and hire Ned Colletti as the new general manager in the off-season sure looks like a stroke of genius right now. I can’t see DePodesta making the same moves that Colletti made.
So what now? As a reward for their hard work, the Dodgers get to face off against the Mighty Mets, the best team in the National League. Of course the Mets aren’t as mighty as they were in August with Pedro Martinez out of commission until next year with a torn rotator cuff. But as much as it pains me to say it, I still think they have more than enough to take out the Dodgers.
They have three guys in the top ten of National League RBI leaders in David Wright, Carlos Beltrán and Carlos Delgado. They have one of the best shortstops in the game in Jose Reyes who also happens to lead the NL in stolen bases. For pitching they have Tom Glavine - still going strong, Orlando “El Duque” Hernández - one of the best playoff pitchers ever, and Billy Wagner - one of the best closers in the game.
Against such a loaded team, all I ask is that the Dodgers make it a series and take it to five games. The Mets did go 14-15 in September and the Dodgers were able to split a four game series in Shea Stadium. Even that would just be gravy since just making the playoffs was a nice accomplishment for the team. And with all the young players on the team like Andre Ethier, Russell Martin, Matt Kemp, and James Loney, I’m feeling pretty good about the Dodgers' future. And who knows, maybe these kids will be so young and foolhardy that they won’t realize or care that they’re supposed to lose and find a win to win.
The playoff berth was particularly satisfying for a couple of reasons. First of all, the Dodgers clinched it by beating the San Francisco Giants on Saturday and ended the season on a high note by completing the sweep on Sunday. The other reason that this post-season opportunity is so gratifying is because the moves that the Dodgers made at the trade deadline really paid off. I'm sure the Dodgers would have fallen short if they hadn’t gone out and acquired Greg Maddux, Wilson Betemit, and Julio Lugo.
I have to give team owner Frank McCourt some credit. I’ve criticized him in the past for not spending enough money for players, being obsessed with the Boston Red Sox, getting rid of the player names on the jerseys, etc. However, his decision to dump Paul DePodesta and hire Ned Colletti as the new general manager in the off-season sure looks like a stroke of genius right now. I can’t see DePodesta making the same moves that Colletti made.
So what now? As a reward for their hard work, the Dodgers get to face off against the Mighty Mets, the best team in the National League. Of course the Mets aren’t as mighty as they were in August with Pedro Martinez out of commission until next year with a torn rotator cuff. But as much as it pains me to say it, I still think they have more than enough to take out the Dodgers.
They have three guys in the top ten of National League RBI leaders in David Wright, Carlos Beltrán and Carlos Delgado. They have one of the best shortstops in the game in Jose Reyes who also happens to lead the NL in stolen bases. For pitching they have Tom Glavine - still going strong, Orlando “El Duque” Hernández - one of the best playoff pitchers ever, and Billy Wagner - one of the best closers in the game.
Against such a loaded team, all I ask is that the Dodgers make it a series and take it to five games. The Mets did go 14-15 in September and the Dodgers were able to split a four game series in Shea Stadium. Even that would just be gravy since just making the playoffs was a nice accomplishment for the team. And with all the young players on the team like Andre Ethier, Russell Martin, Matt Kemp, and James Loney, I’m feeling pretty good about the Dodgers' future. And who knows, maybe these kids will be so young and foolhardy that they won’t realize or care that they’re supposed to lose and find a win to win.
posted by The Pocho at 1:06 PM
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