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Tag-Archive for "Los Angeles Dodgers"

Prince Fielder Needs to Grow Up Aug 05

Prince FielderLast night in Los Angeles, the Dodgers mauled the Milwaukee Brewers 17-4. While an impressive victory, the win was overshadowed by what took place at the end and after the game.

It all started in the 7th inning when Manny Ramirez was hit by a pitch while the Dodgers had a nine run lead. Ramirez had an impressive game, breaking the longest RBI drought of his career with a HR and then also added a 2 run double.

In retaliation for the play with Ramirez, Dodgers reliever Guillermo Mota plunked Brewers slugger Prince Fielder in the 9th with 2 outs and the Dodgers very much in command. This is a routine that has been around since the dawn of baseball. You hit one of ours and we’re going to hit one of yours. When you hit our top dog, we’re going to come after your top dog.

Last year in the playoffs, Ramirez got hit and the Dodgers took a whole lot of flack for not retaliating. You could be sure that when it happened this year, something was going to happen. You have to have your star players back, its as simple as that.

Mota was ejected as you can expect. Mota turned and started walking to the dugout immediately after the pitch, he knows the routine. What made this extraordinary, was Prince Fielder’s reaction. He started going off. After the final out was made he was still yelling and started walking towards the Dodger dugout. He was restrained by teammates, but it still didn’t end there. After the game, Fielder went storming through the tunnels underneath the stadium trying to get to the Dodgers clubhouse. He made it to the set of doors that lead down a hallway to the clubhouse, but security didn’t enable him to proceed any farther.

I don’t know what Fielder was trying to prove, but his reaction was just insane. It wasn’t as if Mota was headhunting or anything, he hit Fielder in the thigh. If you don’t know what Prince Fielder looks like, let me assure you that it is quite a mighty thigh. Prince is the son of former MLB player Cecil Fielder and is built the same way. Hitting him in the thigh is like throwing a ball into a couch. I mean come on, the guy’s thigh is about the size of Delaware.

Another interesting aspect of this incident, is that Mota and Fielder were teammates on the Brewers last year. Maybe its all an inside joke between friends that none of us civilians gets. They sure seemed anything but friendly last night.

I think that maybe Fielder was just trying to light a fire under the Brewer’s ass. If this was his intention then that is perfectly fine. Ham it up as much as you want. The Brewers have been disappointing so far this season. After making the playoffs last year, more was expected from a team that currently sits third in their division and 5 games out of 1st place. I don’t really think more should have been expected though, after all C.C. Sabathia basically put this team on his back and led them to the playoffs on sure will last year.

On the other hand if Fielder was honestly that upset, he needs to grow up. This is baseball and that’s just a part of the game. The score doesn’t matter at that point. Its debatable whether the Brewers were throwing at Manny or not, I’d say probably not, but with the situation that happened in last year’s playoffs the Dodgers weren’t going to be taking any chances. I can imagine they would have been crucified in the papers today in LA if they had let Manny get hit again with no response.

It should be interesting to see what happens tonight, but I don’t think it really should be anything. Its part of the game and the teams should just move on. I sincerely hope that Prince was trying to provide a spark to a team after a lifeless effort. If not I can tell him to grow a set of balls you big pussy. It does seem like the biggest guys are the biggest crybabies a lot of the time. Grow up Mr. Fielder were not going to be treating you any different than any other star player. It’s not like your the spoiled King’s son, are you…Prince?

Manny's Just Gonna Keep Being Manny Jun 30

Manny arms rasingFirst let me start out by saying that yes I am a Los Angeles Dodgers fan. I spent my early childhood, “the formative years”, living in Hollywood so my pro teams are the Dodgers, Lakers, and Raiders. The Raiders were in LA at the time before moving back to Oakland. I guess you can accuse me of being a bit of a homer, and yes I do love Manny Ramirez, but I did go to journalism school so I know how to write without bias. Unfortunatly, for those Dodgers haters, this is a blog so there is no reason for me not to be a huge homer. GET USED TO IT!!!

So last night Manny Ramirez played in his last minor league game before his expected return from his 50 game suspension for using performance enhancing drugs. In the Single A game last night in San Bernandino, Manny went 1-3. He beat out an infield single and struck out swinging two times. In his 5 minor league games Manny went 3-10 with a HR and two runs scored. Those stats really are meaningless though cause he’s just trying to get his legs back, and if you know anything about Manny you can be sure he ain’t gonna give much effort in the minors. Ironically he did beat out an infield hit last night though.

After the game Manny once again refused to talk to reporters. He did find the time to tell them “”No thank you,” Ramirez said. “Go to YouTube.” Its just classic Manny, and one thing that you can be assured of is that’s never gonna change.

So what’s really changed in the 50 games that Manny’s been out. Not much. The Dodgers were in 1st place in the NL West with the best record in baseball with Manny, now their still in 1st place in the NL West with the best record in baseball.

Juan Pierre has been outstanding for the Dodgers since Manny’s been out. For the month of May, Pierre hit .369 with an OPS of a ridiculous .940 he also added 18 RBI’s and swiped 9 bags. He’s cooled off a little in June, but still hit .274 with an OPS of .651 and swiped 11 bags. Of course Pierre is still gonna find himself with a seat on the bench as there really is no way he will get the nod over Ethier or Kemp at either of the other two outfield spots.

A lot of people did predict that the Dodgers would fade for the 50 games they didn’t have Manny. After all they were really even excedding expectations with Manny. That has not been the case as they are playing some excellent ball.

Now the question is whether the return of Manny is gonna disrupt that? One way of thinking would tell you, of course not they we’re playing just as great with him so why would anything change. What changes however is the media attention. They were always all over Manny, but now the questions are gonna change. Someone is gonna have to answer them, even if Manny refuses too.

Of course the organization is glad to have him back, if only for a financial perspective. Manny sells tickets that’s a fact that is easily measured. The Dodgers built a whole marketing campaign around him and even had a special section of the stands for him named “Mannywood”. Now “Mannywood” has been closed for a few months and I’m sure its gonna reopen to some great fanfare.

I really don’t see any reason that Manny’s not gonna be fully embraced by the fans as soon as he comes back. After all, this is Los Angeles they seem to be a very forgiving lot with their heroes. Perhaps Manny might even be more popular now as Hollywood has always loved a good story of redemption.

The prodigal son is scheduled to return on Friday at San Diego. After that the Dodgers go to New York for a series against the Mets and then to Milwaukee. Then we have the All-Star break so Manny’s not going to get to play a game in Los Angeles for quite awhile. That series in New York should be mighty interesting as I’m sure that’s going to be quite the circus atmosphere.

Manny bat throw