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.