No Manny, No Problem

Because this is my first blog, I’m going to begin my true blue analysis with a Wednesday night nearly 6 weeks ago. Sit back and enjoy the ride back in time:

Wednesday, May 6th, was a night of celebration for the 2009 Dodgers. Why was this night different from any other night (shout-out to all the fellow Jews who understood that Passover reference)? Well, Wednesday’s victory over the Nationals set a Major League record for the best ever home start at 13-0. Wednesday’s win increased the Dodgers’ record to 21-7, a winning percentage of .750. What happened next is old news now, but what was very unexpected at the time: Manny tested positive and not for G-A-M-E. He tested positive for a banned substance and would be suspended for 50 games. Followers of other teams, as well as Manny haters, were quick to count the Dodgers out, but to those who knew the team, it was evident that the remaining lineup was stacked with an abundance of talent. Talent alone, however, does not always equate to winning consistently. The Dodgers, Dodger faithful, and their foes around the league would all have to wait to see what would happen next.

The following day a Mannyless Dodger team lost to the Washinton Nationals, the worst team in baseball. While the Blue Crew managed to put 9 runs on the board (a healthy, even robust offensive output), they squandered a 6-0 lead. It was clearly not a good start without Manny Ramirez. The Dodgers went on to lose 3 of their next 4, bringing their record without Manny to 1-4. Though they were still in first place with 22 wins and just 11 losses, this was obviously not a good trend. As previously mentioned, the offensive talent was there, but at this point, I really began to wonder (likely along with many other fans) if the team’s struggles were “90 percent half-mental” as Yogi Berra would have said back in the day. Could these young guys have the confidence to win without the 12-time all-star in the middle of their lineup? I was proven wrong very quickly when the Dodgers won 7 of their next 8 games. I also felt some degree of redemption from the fact that 2 of those wins came against the team that eliminated them from the playoffs last season, the Philadelphia Phillies.  All in all, the team would be fine without Manny Ramirez. I completely agree with many of the Dodger players. Basically, they feel that they are a darn good team without him, but they are even better with him. The stats further prove this point. After beginning the season 21-7, the Dodgers have gone a respectable 21-14 without Manny Ramirez.

Lots of guys have contributed in the absence of Manny Ramirez, but I’d like to focus on Juan Pierre. Juan Pierre is a solid player who can hit for average, run with speed, and field with great range. With that said, he was not going to be an everyday starter once Manny Ramirez had re-signed with the club. Joe Torre was not planning on platooning either of the up-and-coming sluggers (Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp), and rightfully so. Pierre would come off the bench as a pinch runner or pinch hitter. He’d also start in the outfield when any of the three starters would need a rest. Pierre stole a mere 1 base in his month as a substitute. This is a man who has stolen at least 40 bases in every year of his career but 2000, which was his rookie year (he also did not start during his rookie year). In his first game as the regular center fielder, Pierre sent a strong message to Joe Torre. Because this is a family-friendly blog, I will not attempt to channel the aforementioned message, but I doubt Torre minded. Mr. Pierre’s 2 for 4 performance also came with a stolen base, and after the game possibly a side of fries, and maybe even a milkshake. It was a good start for Pierre, which he’s been able to maintain through the present. Over the last 35 Mannyless games, Pierre has stolen 15 bases and ranks third in the NL in that department. He has done well throughout the stretch, but especially excelled against the Colorado Rockies in Coors Field. During that 3 game series. Pierre compiled 8 hits and 7 RBIs in just 16 at bats. Though Pierre continues to steal bases, he hasn’t been caught stealing since May 22nd. I really like that stat! Pierre hasn’t thrown out any runners yet, but it’s okay Juan…no one expects you to.

Juan Pierre celebrates with Manny Ramirez

Pierre is only one of many Dodgers who have stepped up in the absence of Manny. Slowly, but surely I’ll give credit to many, if not all, of these guys, but don’t worry…there will be many more blogs to come. These players who have stepped up are not just offensive players. In other words, certain Dodger pitchers (more in-depth discussion coming soon) have a great deal to do with the Dodgers’ continued success. Leading the way are Chad Billingsley, Randy Wolf, Jonathan Broxton, Ramon Troncoso, and Ronald Belisario. These guys and many others will be paid their “blog dues” when the time comes, but for now let’s talk about the present:

The Dodgers finished off the Texas Rangers by a score of 6-3 on Sunday afternoon in Arlington, Texas. Backed by a strong outing by Chad Billingsley and some timely hitting by Casey Blake, the Dodgers won the series 2-1. Unfortunately the not too popular Andruw Jones hit 2 homeruns in the series. His HRs leave many True Blue fans wondering where was this power last season when Andruw was a Dodger. Additionally, in the past week, Andruw has been griping about Dodger owner Frank McCourt, so calling Andruw Jones “not too popular” among Dodger fans may be the understatement of the year. This is especially true given that he was granted a huge contract last season and may have had the worst individual season in the Major Leagues (he batted .158 in 75 games for god sake). Regardless of Andruw’s HRs, the Dodgers won both games that he played in, so I’m thinking that McCourt got the last laugh.

It’s important to note that, with Monday as the traveling day, the Dodgers will have only played 5 games in a span of the last 8 days. They are well-rested, but things are going to become a hell of a lot busier for the Dodgers beginning today, Tuesday, June 16th. against the Oakland Athletics. In the next 16 days, the Dodgers will play 15 games. This 15-game stretch will be the final test for the Mannyless Dodgers. The man, the myth, the legend is set to return for the series against the Padres, beginning July 3rd…just in time for fireworks. During this long stretch, Joe Torre will have to be sure to avoid overworking the bullpen or Russell Martin, behind the plate.

Tags: Andruw Jones, Chad Billingsley, Dodgers, Joe Torre, Jonathan Broxton, Juan Pierre, L.A., Manny Ramirez, MLB, NL West