Andruw Jones Isn't Worth Booing

by Eric Stephen on Jul 9, 2009 10:30 AM PDT in News Comment 14 comments

Andruw Jones matched his 2008 HR total by hitting three jacks Wednesday night

I noticed last night that Old Friend Andruw Jones hit three home runs last night in Anaheim to help defeat the Angels 8-1. The initial reaction from Dodger fans could understandably be disgust; after all Jones hit as many homers last night as he did all of 2008 with the Dodgers.

However, here is why you should be happy about this turn of events:

We already knew Andruw Jones came into last season out of shape. Nothing he does now will change that fact. The fact that he did that alone is enough for scorn; anything he does now will not make 2008 Andruw a fit, or productive player. I'm sure you are familiar with the idea of a sunk cost -- like the Blue Jays were in cutting B.J. Ryan -- so think of Andruw's 2008 as a sunk emotion. That train has already left the station, and nothing we will ever do can bring it back.
If Andruw Jones wasn't the worst free agent signing ever, the Dodgers never would have acquired Manny Ramirez.
If Andruw Jones wasn't a horrible player with the Dodgers, it is very likely that the second-best defensive centerfielder in all of baseball, Matt Kemp, wouldn't even be roaming the middle. By the way, there's still time to VOTE FOR MATT!!!
The better Andruw does, the more he will play, and the more likely he will be to pick up the Comeback Player of the Year award. Anything Jones earns with Texas, the Dodgers get half, so if he gets his $200,000 for winning the comeback award, that's another $100,000 pocketed by the Dodgers. There are also a number of plate appearance based incentives that Jones could attain as well, so we should root for him to play everyday.
There are too many positives that come with rooting for a team with the best record in baseball to waste time or negative energy on someone like Jones

As long as Andruw keeps his mouth shut, I have no beef with him.

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It just happens

Sometimes players just stink when they move to a different city. Lots of things went wrong with Andruw in L.A.

Or perhaps “Lots X 10^6” but it happens.

by Bob Timmermann on Jul 9, 2009 10:39 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Be prepared for some preaching in the booth tonight, for those outside of LA. Bob Costas will be calling the game for MLB Network (along with Jim Kaat).

by Eric Stephen on Jul 9, 2009 10:59 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I cannot say a bad thing about Bob Costas

Other then his hairpiece.

Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen

by Phil Gurnee on Jul 9, 2009 11:03 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I generally love Bob Costas. A ton. I really love his announcing style.

I just get realy turned off when he starts getting on his high horse. I’ll give him this, though. He seems passionate and usually gives reasons for his opinions, rather than simply being controversial like that tool Plaschke.

by Eric Stephen on Jul 9, 2009 11:18 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Keeping the mouth shut is what I want to see. I can’t believe some of the stuff he has had to say about how unwelcoming L.A. was, as if he had nothing to do with it.

by robotmadeofnails on Jul 9, 2009 11:01 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

seriously

he thinks he was treated poorly here after coming in fat and stealing money… we took it easy on him. had he played in philly or new york he would have gotten crucified.

by whorge on Jul 9, 2009 11:14 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

This article is well thought out and completely rational but my dislike for Andruw Jones is non negotiable.

We know nothing about the enemy. But we can assume this: they stand for everything we don’t stand for. Also they told me you guys look like dorks!

by Sordid on Jul 9, 2009 11:19 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Haha

Part of the reason I wrote it was to convince myself not to hate Andruw! My initial reaction to his highlights is pure anger, but I’m trying to remember all the good things that came with him sucking and leaving.

by Eric Stephen on Jul 9, 2009 11:27 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

i just can't

attribute him leaving with all the good things that happened. we won the nl west despite him not because of him, and we’re leading the majors now despite the fact that his contract (even though much is currently deferred) gave us less fiscal flexibility to work with than had he not been signed in the first place

by whorge on Jul 9, 2009 11:58 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

If he would have stayed this season, we would owe him $17.1m instead of $5.1m. That $12m savings this season has helped.

We won the NL West largely because of Manny, whom we would not have acquired if Andruw didn’t suck ass.

by Eric Stephen on Jul 9, 2009 12:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

But the point is that there is no way ever to go back in time and undo that contract. Once it was signed, it was done. But the Dodgers have done their best possible work to get around that contract and get rid of him. So, going forward, if Jones sucks its not like we get money back. So there’s no point to care.

by Eric Stephen on Jul 9, 2009 12:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Can this somehow be worked into people ruing the absence of Carlos Santana? Or the presence of Mark Hendrickson? Or the trading of Pedro Martinez? Or losing Roberto Clemente in the Rule 5 Draft?

by Bob Timmermann on Jul 9, 2009 12:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Did you think you had wandered into DT?

Two posts in one day, and the second making fun of something that rarely happens at True Blue. Eric said if I did another Carlos Santana story he’d relegate all my stories to the back page.

Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen

by Phil Gurnee on Jul 9, 2009 12:37 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

More on Oliver Perez, from Rob Neyer

Just to sum up: This season, Perez has thrown 36 innings above the Double-A level. In those 36 innings, he has walked 37 batters. I’m all for giving a guy with a solid history a bit of rope, but it always strikes me as odd when a player fails miserably, is exiled to correct a particular flaw, doesn’t correct the flaw … and is un-exiled anyway.

by Eric Stephen on Jul 9, 2009 11:58 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs