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Though we have no Major League Baseball baseball Memorial Day weekend, pass the time with these 10 Dodgers-related anagrams.
Clayton Kershaw: “A Lackey’s thrown”
This may seem odd at first, since Kershaw is a much better pitcher, but John Lackey lasted exactly seven innings in 111 of his 446 career starts (24.9 percent), his most common outing length. Kershaw has 97 starts of exactly seven innings, out of 344 starts (28.2 percent), so throwing a Lackey kind of fits here.
Justin Turner: “Stunt injurer”
Turner has been hit by a pitch 72 times in six seasons with the Dodgers, most for the franchise since moving to Los Angeles, and only one behind Zack Wheat for the all-time team record. In a movie of Turner’s life, a stuntman stepping in to receive these hit by pitches could conceivably be hurt quite badly, so this one fits nicely.
Mike Piazza: “I make pizza”
Choosing a pizza-related pun for Piazza seems obvious, but then again maybe it’s perfect:
Come on guys, This is a pizza! Get it together. pic.twitter.com/v0WxDDEGAN
— Mike Piazza (@mikepiazza31) September 2, 2019
Kiké Hernandez: “Naked hiker zen”
Not even sure this one needs an explanation.
Duke Snider: “Endure skid”
The Dodgers made the World Series in 1949, Snider’s first full season as a regular center fielder. The 22-year-old center fielder struggled mightily in the Fall Classic, going just 3-for-21 (.143) with no RBI, but rebounded to hit .286/.351/.594 in his six career World Series, with 11 home runs in 36 games.
Mookie Betts: “I seek bottom”
This one isn’t so much for Betts himself, but rather Dodgers fans falling into depression if the 2020 season gets canceled and Betts leaves as a free agent.
Walker Buehler: “Balk rule, where?”
Buehler in 329 major league innings has yet to commit a balk.
Andre Ethier: “Retiree hand”
When the longtime Dodgers outfielder receives applause in visits to Dodger Stadium.
Fernando Valenzuela: “A fan zone unravelled”
It couldn’t have been easy for Dodger Stadium security to handle the onslaught of fans for Valenzuela starts during the height of Fernandomania. In 1981 the Dodgers averaged 48,430 fans in his 12 home starts, compared to 40,912 in all other home games, an 18-percent increase. Valenzuela starts in his rookie season accounted for eight of the Dodgers’ top 18 attendance figures.
Pedro Martinez: “Not armed prize”
A terse and unfair, presumably internal scouting report that led the Dodgers to trade away the best pitcher of his generation.