As every Dodger fan knows for most of this year James Loney has been the worst hitter in baseball. He had a miserable start to the year but perked up in June and by June 24th had moved his miserly OPS upto .680 which was the high point. It then fell from the very low height of .680 all the way to .612 on Aug 6th. Think of that, a 1st baseman with an OPS of .612 after 2/3 of the season was in the books. Don Mattingly had finally had enough and started giving his at bats to Juan Rivera. Most anyone would have told you that James Loney's Dodger career was over.
Yet, here we sit on August 29th wondering who this man is who is all of sudden the hottest hitter in baseball. How did this happen? Many have pondered why James Loney has suddenly rediscovered the magic of 2007.
Was it a change in batting stance?
Did the light go on?
Change in diet?
Did his agent stop returning his calls when he asked him about his chances of being tendered a major league contract this winter?
Many will point to the fact he's been hot since he warmed up in the bullpen. Eric Stephen tweeted this:
Since James Loney warmed up in the bullpen, he is hitting .514/.541/1.000 with five doubles and four home runs in eight games
Did his agent stop returning his calls when he asked him about his chances of being tendered a major league contract this winter?
It could have been any number of things but only one thing we know for certain. Illustration man Justin Sellers joined the team on Aug 12th, and since Aug 12th James Loney has become everything anyone has ever dreamed.
58 Plate Appearances
51 At Bats
23 Hits
5 Doubles
4 Home Runs
7 Walks
A triple stat line of .451 / .517 / .784 good for an OPS of 1.301
Anyone can get hot, but you have to have some skill to put up an OPS of 1.301 even if the sample size is 58 plate appearances. James is not Andre Ethier where he goes hot and cold. When it comes to home cooking James has been leftover cold for almost four years. Heck a generation has come and gone who never saw a James Loney home run at the Ravine. If want to see one now, better head out to Dodger Stadium because this could end as quickly as it began.
I'm afraid it will all end when Dee Gordon comes back to reclaim SS on Thursday, but for 19 days, James Loney reminded us why we liked him four years ago.