Men in Blue, Seeing Red

It all comes down to this. The Dodgers have played 140 games splitting them down the middle (70-70) and still remain just a game and half out of first behind the sputtering Arizona Diamondbacks. Tonight will begin a critical 3- game series as the two NL West challengers square off at Chavez Ravine. Each team will put their best on the mound beginning with Lowe vs. Haren Friday, Billingsley vs. Webb on Saturday, and a Hall of Fame matchup Sunday between Greg Maddux and Randy Johnson.

If there was ever a time for the Dodgers to play for their season, it is now. The men in blue have won five straight, including victories over both Haren and Webb last week in Arizona. The team is playing loose, the young stars are coming through, and the role players are contributing in key situations.
This hasn't been the case all year, or even this past month. Before their current five game winning streak, the Dodgers had lost eight straight, including a sweep at the hands of the lowly Washington Nationals. So what brought about this dramatic turn? This writers opinion may shock you. On August 29th, their series opening loss to Arizona, the Dodgers lost second baseman Jeff Kent to a knee injury that would later require surgery. At the time this could have looked like a crushing blow to an already weak hitting team. Kent a sure fire hall of fame player was hitting a robust .343 in August and seemed to have found a home in the #3 spot in front of the newly acquired Manny Ramirez. The fact is though, that Kent hurt the Dodgers more than his bat could make up for.
Kent has always been known for his personality, as prickly as his mustache. He didn't get a long with Bonds in San Francisco despite his presence aiding him to a 2000 MVP selection. In 2005, Kent made some racial comments directed towards then Dodgers outfielder Milton Bradley, that capped another disappointing season. Last season after leading the division after the All- Star break, Kent once again headed a veteran vs. rookie squabble in the clubhouse that led to a 2nd half collapse, and the questioning of our young talent. If that wasn't enough, Kent took aim at a Dodger legend this year, bad mouthing Vin Scully, a hall of famer in his own right for merely mentioning how Kent's batting numbers improved after his move to the 3- hole in front of Manny Ramirez.
While the young talent has proven itself this season with breakout campaigns by Matt Kemp, Andre Eithier, Chad Billingsley, Hong Chi Kuo and Jonathan Broxton, it is the grizzled veteran that seemed to be holding this team back both in on the field and in the clubhouse.
On the field the cranky kneed veteran has been replaced by Blake DeWitt who had early season success filling in a third base. Since his move to second, DeWitt has 2 home runs and 5 RBI's in just 18 AB's (While Kent did hit .343 in Aug. he had just 1 home run and 13 RBI's in 113 AB's). More importantly than the offensive production is the look of the club house, these guys are having fun. A lot is made of the child like charm and personality the Manny brings to the club, and with Kent's stoic presence gone, the kids are free to celebrate and have a good time. If you had any doubt about their recent surge in chemistry check out this great clip following another Dodger victory and Angel Berroa's first home run in 2+ years (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--0Pt4qt80A).
This is the stuff the fans love to see. Sure we like to see our teams raise the championship trophies, get their just do with seasonal awards, but in the end we want to see that emotion. Let's face it this team is comprised of a bunch of 20 year olds, and some high priced veterans. At times it has felt like they forget they are playing a game they love, that the fans love, and that many people would metaphorically kill to be in their shoes. That's why it is so refreshing to see this emotion and camrodory, something you just didn't get from Jeff Kent.
While I don't want to take anything away from a hall of fame career for Jeff Kent, his desire to be hated just didn't mesh with this new fun loving team. His stoic presence was a roadblock for this team trying to get on a roll to the effect of the Rockies last season, or the Red Sox of 2004. Whatever this season may hold, we will have a good idea by Sunday night. GO BLUE!.