Footsteps In The Grass

What a glorious day. Today, I will conquer all my fears, accomplish a years’s worth of goals and complete a month’s worth of tasks. As soon as Huckleberry Hound is over.

Well, the model of consistent inconsistency are our beloved Dodgers. They appear forever destined to remain 3 games under .500. Some questions still loom, of course, like, will Ned Colletti pull off a deal for a bat? Will their starting pitching continue to suck like they have since the break? Will Brad Penny return as Brad Penny from the first halves in previous seasons or as the Brad Penny from this season? The fact is, quite simply, the Rockies are a better team than the Dodgers. A MUCH better team and soon the win/loss records and the standings will reflect it. Look for a Rockies run. Hell, it’s already started. They're on fire. And by virtue of these last two games, it's obvious the Dodgers can’t hit with Colorado, and evidently, nor can they pitch with them. Again, the stupidity involved in allowing Clayton Kershaw to make his return in Denver rivals any managerial faux pas I’ve seen in my 37 years of following the game, except for Lasorda's decision to pitch to Clark. But, honestly, how can a team vying for a division title possibly lose to Glendon Rusch? They made yet another journeyman look like a potential Cy Young candidate. This is a team that’s going nowhere fast and it’s obvious a move has to be made. But, at this point, there may have been too much bleeding to restore any vitality. Glendon Rusch. Jeez. They should be ashamed.

There is some help coming, however. Andruw Jones, do hear that sound? The sound of fleet footsteps in the grass and on the base paths? Those are the footsteps of one Mr. Juan Pierre. He’s making a miraculous recovery and soon, perhaps as soon as this Saturday, he’ll be back. This is where we find out what Joe Torre is made of. There is one decision to be made and ONE DECISION ONLY. Andruw, you stink and, therefore, you’re out. Juan, you’re in. Period. Juan Pierre has done everything to earn an everyday spot in the lineup and Andruw Jones has done nothing. Certainly Kemp and Ethier have to play over Jones. So, we’ll see. We’ll see if Torre can do the right thing. We'll see if idiot Colletti will intervene in favor of his 36 million dollar boner or if even he is smart enough to cry “uncle.” Andruw, take your fat wallet, your stupid tattooed arms, your still protruding tummy, your slow bat, your awful swing, your dumbass smile and your slow feet and sit down. Oh, and thanks for playing. I wish we had some lovely parting gifts for you, but the way I see it, you owe us.

The Dodgers have to go on a winning streak against the lowly DC Nats and the Giants. They need to get a bat because, basically, in spite of his 50 plus ribbies, James Loney is a singles hitter and, for that matter, so are Matt Kemp, Martin, Ethier and Garciaparra. But deal or no deal, it’s all for naught if their pitching has taken a hike. How can this have been prevented? Ned Colletti should have recognized that Jones’ career was on the downswing and that Tori Hunter’s and Aaron Rowand’s careers were on the upswing. He should’ve made a run at Danny Haren when he was available and he should’ve not been so Ichabod Crane scared of parting with some of the youth to build an actual winner.

Meanwhile, congrats to the Angels for coming back for 2 big wins against the Tribe and congrats to the Yankees. Don’t look now, but here come the Pins! I love the Rays and I love their energy, but I’ve been fond of the Yankees ever since the Dodgers organization began to tank. The reason? Because, in spite of the obnoxiousness of the Steinbrenners and their free spending ways, they’ve always felt the need to reward their millions of loyal fans by at least trying their ever best to put a winner on the field every year. They may not always succeed, (no World Series appearances since ’03) but they can’t be accused of not trying. The Dodgers try their ever best to keep the team in the race for a division title, but they eschew building a true championship caliber team. Their only concern is filling the seats through mid September. It’s smoke and mirrors with the Dodgers while it’s sincerity and a drive to win with the Yanks. Also, my disdain for Boston and Red Sox Nation (Exempt, as earlier stated, are manager Terry Francona and 3rd baseman, Mike Lowell) has enhanced my esteem for the Bronx Bombers, as well as the fact that my dear friend, writer and journalist, Rene Chun who lives in NY, is a huge Yankee fan.

Okay, Huckleberry Hound is over. I’m out.