My Five Favorite Dodgers
by Michael White on Feb 12, 2010 10:55 AM PST
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PrintAs pitchers and catchers are set to report next week and all the NRI’s have been named, I thought I’d shared my five favorite Dodgers going into the 2010 season.
Chad Billingsley
Billingsley is somewhat of a perfect storm for me. It started out that Chad was this top flight pitcher who was performing in the major leagues while nobody else noticed. After 2008 the masses screamed that there was no "true ace" on the squad after losing Lowe, without realizing that Billingsley was a 24 year old who has posted an x-FIP of 3.62. Then the madness began. Billingsley doesn’t throw at the Phillies so he has no heart, no spine, sweats too much, melts down in big games (I guess the playoff series right before the Philadelphia one didn’t matter), and doesn’t have the mindset of a "true ace." Also, Billingsley much discussed 2009 meltdown and Billingsley somehow became the most controversial player on the Dodgers. My job of constantly defending Billinglsey (as he is my favorite player) only served to further cement my appreciation for him, and going into 2010 he is still my favorite player on the Dodgers.
Kuo has had me since he flipped his bat after hitting a home run against the Mets. Kuo is an immensely talented player who I’ve commented several times that if the circumstances were different Kuo could be a professional athlete in other sports. Had he been born in Canada, I believe he could have been a hockey player. Had he been born in Mexico he could have been a professional soccer player. You notice his athleticism in the way he perfect way he fields his position, the way he calmly strokes a home run and flips his bat like he’s Ken Griffey Jr. as the ball leaves his bat. And he’s also a really good pitcher. Injury concerns will always limit Kuo but when he’s healthy he’s as good as anybody. One of my favorite moments from the 2009 season was the series in St. Louis. Kuo had just returned from injury and the Dodgers believing that their setup man (Kuo) may not be counted on during the stretch due to arm issues traded Josh Bell for George Sherrill. With one runner on and two outs, Torre instructed Kuo to walk both Albert Pujols and Matt Holliday to load the bases and face left hander Rick Ankiel. Kuo overpowered Ankiel, with three straight swings and misses, hop, fist pump and exit to the dugout.
McDonald is a bit like Chad Billingsley for me (with less talent.) I don’t think McDonald will be a star like I do with Billingsley, but I do think he can and will be a solid #3 starting pitcher. I think McDonald could be a closer for 10 or so teams in MLB. But like with Chad, McDonald brings out a whole bucket of hate. It doesn’t help that he did melt down in the starting role last year. But he still came back and contributed for the Dodgers, doing a great job as a reliever in 2009 and flaming out as a starter so much that he had to be sent back down to the minors rather than right to the bullpen. He does have good stuff, good velocity on his fastball, a nice 12/6 curve and he is supposed to have a strong changeup though he didn’t show it much in the majors. I feel McDonald got more criticism than he deserved in 2009 as a he’s also apparently a gutless, no heart clown, but I expect solid things from him in 2010, and I’ll continue to have his back.
Whenever I secure tickets to a Dodger game, the first thing I do is roll-forward the pitching rotation and see if I will be watching Billingsley or Kershaw. Every time you watch Kershaw, I believe I am watching the early years of a star. He’s a lefty with great velocity, a devastating curve, and a slider all coming at the same release point. I think Clayton can be the best Dodger pitcher of the next decade, and one of the best pitchers in all of baseball. Even though I believe Kershaw pitched a little over his head last year, I think his talent and continued progression will allow for him to post similar numbers even if the breaks don’t go his way as they did last year. He’s an exciting pitcher, it’s hard not to get caught up in expecting great things from him every time he pitches.
Manny is my guilty pleasure. I have a picture on my desktop of Manny Ramirez sliding into home in Game 3 of the NLDS. For all of the whining from the unbearable Boston media about how Manny never runs out a play or hustle, Manny Ramirez scored from first on a Russell Martin double to take the early lead on Chicago. I felt convinced the Dodgers were going to sweep the Cubs and the sky was the limit at this point. I was initially hesitant to bring back Ramirez after 2008 after I thought the price the Dodgers would have to pay would be far too rich to make it worth it. Even after the steroid suspension, it’s hard for me to get too upset with Manny. I liked the way he’s played in Los Angeles, it genuinely seems like the perfect place for Manny to play (I love LA, I love the beach) and he can still rake with the best of them.
Last year before the season started TBLA commenters shared their five favorite Dodgers in the comment sections and I encourage you to do so here.
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As do I. Neither of us had a clean sweep with pitchers though. We both threw in 1 hitter…
by Michael White on Feb 12, 2010 11:00 AM PST up reply actions
Yea I will continue that trend...
Billingsley
Kershaw
Kuo
Broxton
Manny
Kemp is moving up the list.
1. Kuo—Just an amazing story, from his minor league debut to now
2. Ethier—Love the swing: not quite George Brett or Will Clark, but pretty nonetheless
3. Kemp—Superstar
4. Kershaw—The Franchise
5. Stults—I’ve always rooted for him to get a chance
Manny – still see him as just a goof ball, even post suspension
Kemp – wasn’t sold on him until I saw an interview with him campaigning for the last all start spot last season. A lot dorkier than I expected.
Kershaw – so much potential and someone I can really expect to be around for quite a while
Dewitt – impressed me with his 2008 early season
Loney – Just seems like a likable guy, now if he can just find his home power stroke…
by CarolinaDodger on Feb 12, 2010 11:27 AM PST reply actions
I think the Dodgers might make that room for you.
by Michael White on Feb 12, 2010 11:38 AM PST up reply actions
i have yet 2 disagree w/ ES
But if I had to make an argument is would be for Dee Gordon in place of the Ox but if it has to be an all MLB Dodger five than the Ox would round out the list thus keeping the agreeance streak in tact.(Kemp #1/Kershaw #2)
by VeroJoe on Feb 14, 2010 12:35 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
Ya, I think I’ll need to follow this up with a composite list.
Heisman Trophy voting rules, more points for 1st place, less for 2nd place, etc.
by Michael White on Feb 12, 2010 11:33 AM PST up reply actions
and Kemp is on every list so far except noted Bison hater Mike White :)
by Eric Stephen on Feb 12, 2010 11:33 AM PST up reply actions
Looking at my list from last year.
Ethier and Kemp were 4 and 5 respectively and were replaced by Manny and my wild card pick McDonald…
by Michael White on Feb 12, 2010 11:36 AM PST up reply actions
I was thinking about putting Manny in but decided not too at the last minute. Kuo is up there too
by Eric Stephen on Feb 12, 2010 11:37 AM PST up reply actions
And you jinxed it. First vote came in without Kershaw.
by Michael White on Feb 12, 2010 11:45 AM PST up reply actions
I was about to put Belisario in my list ahead of Ethier, but I just want to see him pitch one more year.
Things to love
1) Troncoso’s beard
2) plus I’m a sucker for sinkerballers
3) the Pumpkinhead nickname
4) ridiculous movement on Beli’s fastball
by Eric Stephen on Feb 12, 2010 11:42 AM PST up reply actions
Kemp – Just a fantastic athlete
Loney – Though he doesn’t hit for much power, I can’t help but like Crazy Legs
Bills – Doesn’t get the love that Kershaw gets, but still a very good pitcher
Kuo – Stuff is just electric
Stults – I have an irrational desire to see him do well
Odds two years ago that doing a top 5 list we would have more votes for Stults (who its not like he dominated in these 2 years he’s about to get DFA’d) than Martin?
by Michael White on Feb 12, 2010 11:46 AM PST up reply actions
Meh. It’s not like these rankings are supposed to be rational. It’s your favorite players. I like that we get odd-ball names in here like McDonald, Stults, and Dewitt.
by Michael White on Feb 12, 2010 11:51 AM PST up reply actions
I pull for Stults because he is so obviously getting neglected by the coaches and by management. He is not some exceptional talent, but he could be perfectly useful in the rotation.
This is fun
We should do an all-time favorites post. Not necessarily the best players but guys you have been alive to see play and have enjoyed.
That will make for a somber
opening ceremony.
by meercatjohn on Feb 12, 2010 12:05 PM PST up reply actions
and the leg kicks.
And the general badassery.
by Eric Stephen on Feb 12, 2010 12:08 PM PST up reply actions
The bat flip helps.....
that image is forever etched in my mind, but I just dig having a bad ass lefty in the pen who overpowers guys. And dude is clutch.
Fun Kuo Fact
Thanks to the new splits available on Fangraphs:
In his career, Kuo’s x-FIP when facing lefties is 2.02! (it was 0.87 in 2008, when he struck out 44 of the 98 LHB he faced)
by Eric Stephen on Feb 12, 2010 12:10 PM PST up reply actions
I think it also has to do with the fact that his arm has been through so much, yet he continues to mow hitters down. And he has done it with a determined, humble demeanor.
Yeah, he certainly has the underdog mentality, and that he has worked so hard is why so many (including teammates and coaches) root for him.
by Eric Stephen on Feb 12, 2010 12:12 PM PST up reply actions
I’ve told this story before, but I was at the 51s/Grizzlies game when Kuo hit a grand slam off a lefty over the hitting eye in dead center. I gave him a standing “O” and got mentioned in the next day’s Fresno Bee!
Great news
From Camelback Ranch:
Dodger Fans – this just in! The Dodger Dog will be at Camelback Ranch this year! http://bit.ly/dmV3dR
+1
Will make the eventual roadie to Camelback that much sweeter!
No more raining on BN's rainy parade, they took their ball and went home, lmao.
by S Jay Bruin on Feb 12, 2010 12:13 PM PST up reply actions
Top 5,In random order.....
Bills- the Giant killer
Martin- the Panda hunter
Furcal- bombass range
Broxton throw’em the heater his presence makes everyone better. I think he comes in this year on a tear.
Manny
I dig Loney and Dewitt. Awesome silent treatment after his 1st HR 2 years ago.
by Skunkburner on Feb 12, 2010 12:30 PM PST via mobile reply actions
Silent treatment was fun definitely. Prime Ticket was all over that one with the camera work, we saw the whole set up and reaction…
by Michael White on Feb 12, 2010 12:42 PM PST up reply actions
Through 15 ballots
the latest being Skunkburner at 12:30pm, here is everyone, ranked by # of ballots:
Kershaw 13 (of 15)
Kemp 12
Bills 11
Kuo 9
Broxton 7
Ethier 6
Manny 5
Loney 4
Stults 2
Martin 2
McDonald 1
DeWitt 1
Blake 1
Furcal 1
Can "the Beard" be disqualified
for having no beard?
No more raining on BN's rainy parade, they took their ball and went home, lmao.
by S Jay Bruin on Feb 12, 2010 12:52 PM PST up reply actions
Actually one moment that is not mentioned from the Aughts
I think its better than the bat flip, it was this one
KUO REPLACED MOTA (PITCHING); Schumaker out on a
sacrifice bunt (first unassisted) [Stavinoha to third]; LUDWICK
BATTED FOR RASMUS; Ludwick struck out; Pujols was walked
intentionally; Holliday was walked intentionally [Pujols to
second]; Ankiel struck out; 0 R, 1 H, 0 E, 3 LOB. Dodgers 3,
Cardinals 3.
From Yahoo’s Big League Stew, Twins reliever Pat Neshek receives the worst fan letter (non racist edition of course) ever:
Well
The writer could have cut out letters and pasted them on the paper. That might be worst.
by bhsportsguy on Feb 12, 2010 12:42 PM PST up reply actions
I'd refuse on the basis of poor grammer and spelling.
And an obvious aversion to using apostrophes.
by bhsportsguy on Feb 12, 2010 12:45 PM PST up reply actions
Joes Mauer could be a fine player someday
by Eric Stephen on Feb 12, 2010 12:46 PM PST up reply actions
The grammar and punctuation starts out OK, then it just deteriorates. Almost like the writer’s brain started running out of gas.
It actually reminds me of the fake Joe Morgan letter than fake Joe sent to Phil Musnick and Fire Joe Morgan. It started out normal, and then fake Joe started laying it on thick, calling Phil Muchnick a poopy-head and stuff like that.
I found that letter, hilarious.
by Michael White on Feb 12, 2010 12:51 PM PST up reply actions
So Kuo's bat flip is
equal to the “hello” in Jerry Maguire? ;-)
These are some of my fave Dodgers as well, no doubt though I don’t know McDonald enough to have him on my own list yet. But I always root for the young guys. I think I like The Artist Formerly Known as The Beard, too, for some reason. And Kemp.
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants country, and damned proud of it.
my top 5
1. Kershaw
2. Kemp
3. Ethier
4. Kuo
5. Manny
by SeanMillerSavior on Feb 12, 2010 12:48 PM PST reply actions
This was last years list
http://www.truebluela.com/2009/4/1/819176/fave-5
See how much you have changed in 10 months.
DeWitt has taken
a fall, surely due to the fact he wasn’t really part of the 2009 team. Looks like Andre and Loney replaced Kuroda and DeWitt.
Martin too
He was on the majority of lists last year, and only a couple this year.
by CarolinaDodger on Feb 12, 2010 1:28 PM PST up reply actions
I like my bold proclimation in the comments
that Dewitt would be gone at the deadline with Loney in a trade for Matt Holliday.
Too bad Dewitt and Loney had more value 4 days before the season started then they did by the time Holliday got traded.
by Michael White on Feb 12, 2010 1:11 PM PST up reply actions
Good thing that didn't happen
otherwise we would not have had the nutcracker incident to make fun of him for years on end. When the Cardinals come to town I think every fan should wear a protective cup on the outside of their pants.
heh heh- sorry, but I got a chuckle out of this
“He just said Weaver will win the 5th starter spot, and McDonald will pitch out of the pen. Umm, no.” -Eric Stephen
(So you know it’s all in good fun, full disclosure: I once wrote to a friend back in ’01 that I was thinking about buying Enron stock, since it had gotten so cheap.)
I’m 100% sure I would’ve agreed with Eric at the time had I known about this site, but it’s always amusing to look back at past comments that turn out to be ironic in hindsight. Who would have thought this, more or less, would come to pass? Did Tim Kurkjian know something that we didn’t, or was he just lucky here?
I stand by my derision of Kurkjian, since he was talking about starting the season. McDonald made four starts before getting pulled, and Weaver started in the minors. :)
by Eric Stephen on Feb 12, 2010 2:12 PM PST up reply actions
Yup. Eric was right at the time, the decision had already been made that JMac was the starter and it was public information that a professional journalist in Kurkijian should have known. Or at least avoiding making things up.
by Michael White on Feb 12, 2010 2:14 PM PST up reply actions
That was a fun time
with no job for a few months. Able to watch 1pm spring training games, watch daytime Baseball Tonight, etc.
by Eric Stephen on Feb 12, 2010 2:17 PM PST up reply actions
the time I was unemployed
was the most relaxing, carefree time of my life since pre-preschool. Nevertheless, so I don’t tempt fate, I hope not to have a repeat for another 25 years at LEAST.
This was harder do do than I thought.
Kemp
Kershaw
Billingsley
Stults
Kuroda
Kershaw
Kemp
Furcal
Bills
Manny
I agree that until Blake grows the beard back, all votes for him should be voided.
by keithc13 on Feb 12, 2010 1:43 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
I'm telling you ..
Blake is going for the fountain of youth, as well as better aerodynamics. It’s a well-thought-out plan.
I'm A Pitcher Guy
1. Billingsley
2. Kershaw
3. Elbert
4. Broxton
5. Kuo
Favorite Position Player: Loney
Don't forget the Honorary Kaptain of the K-team
The all-time master of the K’s himself: Sandy Koufax
No more raining on BN's rainy parade, they took their ball and went home, lmao.
Ned's list
should include all the players with deferred contracts in 2010 who aren’t with the team anymore.
No more raining on BN's rainy parade, they took their ball and went home, lmao.
Since Juan Pierre and Orlando Hudson are gone, I can spare myself lightning rod status LOL
1) Matt Kemp – not very original, no further explanation needed. I’ll just say that I hope the sinister rumblings we hear about him are vastly overblown, and he doesn’t let the celebrity thing get to his head TOO much.
2) James Loney- call me stubborn, but I continue to see what he should become vs. what he is right now, and he’s still young enough to prove me right. And what he is right now isn’t all that bad, either. (For anyone who doesn’t think a 1st baseman’s defense is that important, let’s not forget his OTHER big moment in game 2: http://mlb.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?content_id=7026995)
3) Andre Ethier- the small chip on his shoulder is a great contrast to Kemp’s “I Love LA” persona. And he’s not a bad hitter, either. :)
4) Clayton Kershaw- I believe the hype, and I like his sort of “small town kid trying to make it in the big city” vibe. Now let’s see if he can get better control without sacrificing his…I dunno, unhittability? (if that’s even a word).
5) Manny Ramirez- What Mike said. Plus, as uninspiring and disheartening as the end of Mannywood has been, it gave rise to something even better, much the same way Kobe’s absence has done for the Lakers- it showed that the rest of this team is pretty good, too. But putting that aside, I still have hope that Manny can (mostly) return to form, and I’ll never forget how exciting and fun he made Dodger baseball when he came over here. The performance may have been artifically enhanced, but the mood he created wasn’t.
Honorable mentions- Furcal, Blake, Billingsley, and just about everyone else. The great thing about the Dodgers is that there a LOT of guys worth rooting for, and not just because of the team they’re on.
good thing I did a preview here
I originally used #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, and it showed up 1., 1., 1., 1. 1. Guess it’s some sort of HTML tag I was unaware of!
Seeing Manny's picture at
Shakers in South Pasadena is another reason why he is on my fave five list.
More Lincecum numbers
from AP/ESPN:
In addition to his salary, he would earn $200,000 for pitching 225 innings, a figure he reached in each of his two full seasons. He would get $500,000 for each Cy Young Award, $250,000 for second, $100,000 for third, $75,000 for fourth and $50,000 for fifth.
He also would get $100,000 each time he’s an All-Star, $100,000 for NL MVP, $75,000 for World Series MVP and $50,000 for League Championship Series MVP.
Potential for $1,025,000 each year in bonuses
Kemp – I fell in love with his talent when he was brought up in 2006 and started off by smashing 7 homeruns in a matter of a few weeks, and I thought we had a 40 homerun hitter on our hands. He hasn’t shown THAT much power yet, but I believe he will.
Kershaw – I’ve been following him since the day he was drafted, and he has dominated EVERYWHERE he has been. Ive never seen anything like what he has been able to do besides watching hall of famers or soon to be hall of famers (also maybe a burned out star in Mark Prior). I went to his first career Dodgers start and his first career playoff start. This kid is unbelievable.
Billingsley – This guys gets the worst reputation for how very good he actually is. Anyone that wants him off this team hasn’t really watched him pitch. Shoot, even late last season Bills had a no hitter through 4 2/3 against the Nats, a good hitting team, and just happened to give up his first hit as a 3 run game tying homerun. That game definitely showed me he’s still got the ability to be great.
Loney – Didn’t like him when he first came up in 2006. I thought he wasn’t good enough for the majors, though he dominated the minors that year. I told this to my friend as we watched Loney come to bat in Colorado late in September one day during class (my teacher was a Dodger fan :] ), and Loney proceeded to make me a believer by hitting 2 homeruns and getting a crap load of RBIs that day, I think 9 actually.
Broxton – The kid is a beast. When he comes to the mound I’m reminded of Gagne in his prime. Broxton is going to be one of the best closers in baseball for the next half decade at the least, I’m just not sure if much of that will be with the Dodgers :(
David Ely, who worked at MLB.com last year as a Dodger writer (would often fill in for Gurnick at times, plus other assignments), is now writing for my local paper, the Victorville Daily Press. Small world.
Kemp
Kershaw
Ethier
Bilingsley
Broxton
Really, all in all, this is a pretty easy team to like. There wouldn’t be much of gap to the next five on my list. I have to give a mention to Rafael Furcal. Yeah, I know he didn’t hit much last year, but watching him make great plays is sweet, and I’m still pretty amazed how fast he can get back on pop ups.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
I kinda skimmed through the list, but I’m not sure I saw Martin even once. Anyone feel like running another tally to see how many people actually included him?
By my last count
He’s on there twice.
Compared to Stults who is on lists 3 times.
After all the comments are closed, I’ll pull together a full list.
by Michael White on Feb 12, 2010 2:47 PM PST up reply actions
An article on mlb.com touts the two Western Divisions. I like this paragraph, especially the example of “proven talent”. Finally getting some respect nationally.
A return to Hall of Fame form by Manny Ramirez would make manager Joe Torre beam, but this club is loaded with proven talent, led by Kemp, who is on the verge of joining the game’s elite. The maturity of Kershaw and Chad Billingsley as front-line starters could be the difference in another spirited race.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
1. Manny
2. Kemp
3. Dewitt
4. Kershaw
5. Broxton
6. Chein Ming Wang (Wild card b/c when he signs I am going to love it)
At least since you are in Virginia, you will be close when Chien-Ming Wang is ready to pitch his home games :)
by Eric Stephen on Feb 12, 2010 2:54 PM PST up reply actions
From the world of absurdity
Craig Sager’s suit that he is wearing on Sunday will include shoes made of alligator (with eyes) will cost “north of $7,000.” (per the Atlanta Journal Constitution, as heard on 710 ESPN)
He's wearing Black Velvet (Armani) on Sunday
“I would drape myself in velvet if it were socially acceptable.”
Amazing how Martin
has fallen. I bet if we had done this in the spring of 2008 he would have been named on every list.
So is the 2009 version of Wade
As George Sherrill has gotten 0 votes so far and the guy who is polling amongst the strongest is the guy he replaced as the setup man.
by Michael White on Feb 12, 2010 3:38 PM PST up reply actions
This is SO Difficult
1. Billz – I love him even more now that I feel I have to “defend” him
2. Kershaw
3. Loney -
4. DeWitt ( I really hope he gets a starting gig one of these years!)
5. Beard! ( Making fun of a Giant is 1000 points in my book)
He did jump quite a few notches
in my book last year after that home run. I wasn’t a big fan when he showed up but he grows on you.
Top Favs
1. Kemp – Have always loved that trash can moving attitude
2. Kershaw – Poise and presence match his talent
3. Broxton – would love to observe while someone questions his manhood face to face
4. Martin – Rooting hard for the stubborn strongman
5. Loney – Want to see road numbers become home numbers
6. Ethier – “The Swing”
7. Billingsley – Want to watch him make the “mind experts” eat their words
8. Furcal – One tough hombre, hope he can stay healthy
9. DeWitt – Really my #1A
10. Manny & the Shave (The Beard), would rate them higher, but they’re just passing through town
11. Kuo – Another very tough hombre – what a pain tolerance he must have
12. Kuroda – The Original Robot Made of Nails
13. Sherrill – Just watch and see what a fat man can do
13 A. Belisario
13 B. Belliard
14. Tron-Tron – Keeps the team in the game &get something to keep his arm attached
My faves?
- Andre Ethier: Yes, I find him attractive. Yes, I love that he’s a foodie. Yes, I am enthralled with the possibilities of him winning a game.
- Clayton Kershaw: How can one NOT love his curveball? He shows so much promise. He has my support.
- Matt Kemp: The guy never manages to amaze me, be it with his glove, his bat, or his speed. Even when he does something stupid, like forget to put the shades on . . . I still laugh.
- James McDonald: Still has a way to go. But if given the chance to succeed and learn from any failings, I think he will make a decent starter. Seems like a humble guy, nothing flashy off the mound.
- Chad Billingsley: I still believe, and will defend him when encountering uninformed Dodger fans. There’s only one way to go, young man. Up.
-
Alright
I got Billz, Kershaw, Kemp, Ethier and Martin. I love the homegrown talent. And the amazing thing is… all of these guys are stars :)
by lakersdodgersyankees4life on Feb 12, 2010 8:29 PM PST reply actions
oh
my honorable mentions are Kuo, Kuroda and DeWitt. Kuo and Kuroda are badasses. They are just guys that are a lot of fun to watch. And Kuo is a great pitcher when healthy. DeWitt took the hearts of most of LA when he came up as a 22 year old and held his own… and got a huge postseason hit.
by lakersdodgersyankees4life on Feb 12, 2010 10:57 PM PST up reply actions
kershaw, kemp, ethier, kuo, night stalker
by lchristmas on Feb 12, 2010 10:29 PM PST via mobile reply actions
Top Five Based on(very scientific!)
the names I have on my Dodger Shirts, the number of baseball cards I’ve bought of them and the amount of enjoyment I had watching them last season.
ETHIER
KEMP
Kershaw( The K stands for Strikeout- 13 in one game)
Broxton- Big John will only get better. Can you throw 100MPH?
Manny- Hello. He’s Manny.
Go Dodgers.
It’s late, but i was out of town so here are mine…
1. Kemp
2. Ethier
3. Broxton
4. Kershaw
5. Billingsley
My two daughters who like the Dodgers (the other is somehow an Angels fan) have Kemp in their top 5, and Ethier takes up the other 4 spaces.
You spawned an Angel fan?
You have disowned her, right? Or at least given her that parent talk about how you’re “very disappointed” in her?
Was there a nefarious boyfriend involved in turning her to the dark side? How did you not run him off with a shotgun?
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
I blame it on her being best friends early in life w/an Angels fan and the fact that we live behind the Orange Curtain. However, my other 3 kids are alright!
by KellyStephen on Feb 13, 2010 1:58 PM PST up reply actions
I just can’t explain it. Yes, I’ve explained how much of a black sheep she is, but living in OC she has plenty of Angel fan friends to back her up. 3 years ago we were at Dodgers/Angels at Mecca and I’m walking her up the aisle to the concession stands late in the game and a few guys started ripping me (wearing Dodger shirt and hat) instead of her. All I could do was shrug my shoulders and say, “I’ve tried!”
by KellyStephen on Feb 13, 2010 1:57 PM PST up reply actions
Mine
1. Kuo – I still the most talented pitcher we have. It is too bad injuries first relegated him to the BP and then prevented him from being the star in the BP he could have been. I expect without the injuries, if he was not a starter, it would be Broxton setting up for Kou. As things are, he will never have that great of a WAR, but he remains my favorite none-the-less.
2. Broxton – It is stunning to me how the Dodgers have had such a long string of completely dominant closers. I really don’t think we have lost much (certainly a little, but not much) from the prime time of Gagne.
3 and 4. A tie. Kershaw and Bills – both really are “star” potential. Both have exactly the same problem – too many walks. Kershaw is younger, so more likely at this point to work out this issue, but knowing these two are long term in our rotation is a very secure feeling.
5. Kemp – He has one flaw, not enough walks. If he fixes that, he too will be a dominant star at the plate. If he doesn’t fix it, he will remain one of the best center-fielders anyway.
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