The Dodgers had one of their most interesting seasons in their wonderful history....but most of the interest was focused on off field events. Frank McCourt got more press than any player and it's not a good thing when the owner dominates the news. Matt Kemp and Clayton Kershaw tried to put the focus back between the lines but the fans just weren't interested in going to the games.
By lack of interest I am referring to attendance. I haven't seen the numbers yet but I'm sure this will turn out to be the worst attendance figures since coming to LA. Although most people blame the McCourt court scenes I think the economy played a major part and many people were quite happy to have a separate excuse to stay away....keeping in mind that a ball game for two can cost a few hundred dollars. It can be done for less but even a family of four in the nosebleed section can run $100 plus.
Donny Baseball finished his first year with a winning record and that's ok......but he's still a Yankee and I'm not sure the hardliner Dodger fans will ever accept him...just like they didn't really flip out over Joe Torre. It takes multiple World Series victories to swallow that Yankee tag and I'm not sure we'll see that in the near future.
I think the Dodger problems started when they didn't hire Mike Scioscia after he had been their Triple A manager in 1999.
You don't see the Yankees hiring Dodger legends and the same should apply here.
The real pain is when I jump ahead three years and have to see Clayton and Matt playing for the Yankees, Red Sox or Phillies......that's going to hurt. And it might explain why the fans are not going to the games. They realize that the Dodgers aren't in a position to spend the money to keep their best players so why bother to support someone that will soon belong to someone else?
To the positive side of the story.
Matt Kemp had one of the best offensive seasons ever by a Dodger. Obviously his break-up with Rihanna during the off season didn't affect his performance....unless the break-up was her idea and Matt decided to have a great season just to show who ruled the roost here in LA LAND.
2010 was a banner year for Matt Kemp's sex life and 2011 was a banner year for his baseball career. I wonder which one he wants to duplicate in 2012. I'm sure he'd like to have both but some people just can't pull it off.
Clayton Kershaw showed remarkable poise for a 23 year pitcher. It wasn't just the the fact that he won 21 games and led the league in ERA and strikeouts....it was the way he handled the media.
He says the right things because he seems to be having a great time and nothing appears overwhelming to him. Barring injuries he is a potential Hall of Fame candidate. Injuries are a big part of the process, so it's kind of silly to speculate on such nonsense.....but he has that kind of talent....both on and off the field.
NOW FOR THE PREDICTIONS OF POST SEASON PLAY.
My favorite World Series would be ARIZONA VS DETROIT. Since Arizona is managed by Kirk Gibson, who happens to have created the greatest moment in LA Dodger history, I see no reason not to root for them.....and since he was a star for Detroit then the whole thing makes sense.
In reality......Phillies vs. Yankees probably makes more sense.
I see something different than the obvious but then again I see a lot of things differently than most people.
Prediction.....
Tampa Bay vs. Philadelphia
Phillies win in 6 games.......with Chase Utley MVP
Play Ball!
Michael Timothy McAlevey
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