Folks, looks like the Dodgers are trying to buy themselves a World Series Championship. Look at the name they have brought in over the last few years:
Jeff Kent, J.D Drew, Kenny Lofton, Rafael Furcal, Nomar Garciaparra, Bill Mueller, Derek Lowe and Brad Penny. All of these players have come from winning teams. Winning is not something that the Dodgers has had a lot of lately.
Sure they won the NL West division in 2004, but before that, their last visit was in 1996. The last World Series was in 1988. This is a team that is struggling to find an identity, and one that has been overshadowed by cross-town rivals Giants and megastar Barry Bonds. This year they are off to a weak start at 11-12. Both pitching and hitting have been disappointing. Grady Little has been brought in to shake things up a bit after a disappointing run by Jim Tracy. Is this the year the Dodgers regain their former greatness?
Wow, a couple of those people are getting a little up in years. Jeff Kent and Kenny Lofton are both towards the end of their careers. Nomar is a champ and will give them an edge. Whether it will be enough to pull them to the top and keep them there is another question. The Yankees have proven you can't always buy a world series ring. But I wouldn't mind seeing the dodgers in the series, they haven't even had good teams very often, and especially not since Orel Hershiser.
Nomar is a has-been. I don't know what would qualify him as a champ. He mired in Boston for years and years, and the minute he leaves, they win a World Series. He then goes to the Cubs, stinks it up for a bit, then gets hurt. Don't mean to sound harsh, but I think his career is over.
DODGERS' GAGNE MIGHT NEED BACK SURGERY
Los Angeles Dodgers closer Eric Gagne, limited to 16 appearances since the beginning of last season because of elbow problems, might need back surgery.
Ref. https://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/base...e.ap/index.html
Since winning the 2003 Cy Young award, Gagne has been non-existent in the big leagues. At one time he was an intimidating force in the bullpen, and now his career may be over. I hope that he can regain the dominance he once had, but it sure doesn't seem like that will be a reality.
Los Angeles Dodgers file for bankruptcy protection after Major League Baseball rejects TV contract deal.
The Dodgers have been the center of unwanted media attention that began when owner Frank McCourt filed for divorce from his wife, Jamie, and controversy continued when baseball Commissioner Bud Selig moved to have MLB take over the team. Ref. CNN
Juan Uribe hit a go-ahead two-run homer in the bottom of the eighth inning, and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Atlanta Braves 4-3 to win the best-of-five NL Division Series. The Dodgers will face either the Pittsburgh Pirates or St. Louis Cardinals in the NL Championship Series, which begins Friday. Ref. USAToday