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The 50-Walk Challenge - Halfway There!

Los Angeles Dodgers' Manny Ramirez tosses his bat after walking during the first  inning of a baseball game against  the San Diego Padres Friday, July 3, 2009 in San Diego.  (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)

More photos » Denis Poroy - AP

7 months ago: Los Angeles Dodgers' Manny Ramirez tosses his bat after walking during the first inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres Friday, July 3, 2009 in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)

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Back in the offseason, I issued a challenge to the Dodgers to have eight different players with 50 walks this season.  If that happens, I will donate $100 to Think Cure, a charity organization started by the McCourts and the Dodgers, dedicated to finding a cure for cancer.

Here's a look at where we are at right now, through 82 team games, essentially the halfway point, along with the pace of each member of the regular lineup:

Batter BB Pace
Manny Ramirez 27 95*
Russell Martin 44 87
Andre Ethier 36 71
Orlando Hudson 35 69
James Loney 33 65
Matt Kemp 31 61
Rafael Furcal 30 59
Casey Blake 30 59

*For Ramirez, the pace is for a 112-game schedule rather than 162

So far, we are right on track for the Dodgers to meet my challenge.  The Dodgers as a whole haven't been walking as much of late --2.97 walks per game since June 1, compared to 4.44 per game in the first two months-- but they still rank third in the NL with 320 walks.  Perhaps the return of Manny Ramirez to the lineup will cause a spike in walks.

Only two National League teams have ever had eight players with 50+ walks, the most recent being the 2000 Giants.  There have been six American League teams to accomplish the feat before the designated hitter, as well as the amazing 1939 Yankees, the only team ever with nine 50-walk players.

To find out more about Think Cure, go here, and if you would like to donate, click here.

0 recs  |  Comment 9 comments |

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Ethier and Casey Blake get a lot of 3-2 counts.

But they rather swing the bat then walk.

by Tripon on Jul 5, 2009 11:53 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Not quite

Dodger regulars with a 3-2 count
Manny – 29 PA, 13 BB (44.8%)
Martin – 46 PA, 16 BB (34.8%)
Kemp – 53 PA, 18 BB (34.0%)
Pierre – 22 PA, 7 BB (31.8%)
Furcal – 46 PA, 14 BB (30.4%)
Loney – 41 PA, 12 BB (29.3%)
Ethier – 52 PA, 13 BB (25.0%)
Hudson – 61 PA, 15 BB (24.59%)
Blake – 57 PA, 14 BB (24.56%)

by Eric Stephen on Jul 6, 2009 12:00 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I totally misread your comment. How ironic. :)

by Eric Stephen on Jul 6, 2009 12:21 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Ethier has really dropped off the pace

The last time I did an update to this was through 46 games, and Ethier was on a pace for …walks.

Ethier has 9 walks in his last 144 PA (May 27 to present), one every 16 PA.

Before then he had 27 walks in 198 PA, one every 7.33 PA.

by Eric Stephen on Jul 6, 2009 12:20 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Ethier said he changed his approach when he moved to the middle of the lineup.

Trying to create and bring home RBIs instead of trying to find ways to get on base.

by Tripon on Jul 6, 2009 1:18 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

We call that losing your way

Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen

by Phil Gurnee on Jul 6, 2009 1:22 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Thanks from ThinkCure!

We appreciate the possible donation and the links from your blog!

by sarahg on Jul 7, 2009 12:31 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

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