Dodger games on TV are a premium up here, so I was pretty excited about today’s exhibition game between the Dodgers and Giants.  It’s funny though, I forgot that it was the day before Opening Day, therefore most of the regulars are on the bench…including Manny.

It’s an interesting game though because you got to see the depth or lack of depth of the Dodgers lineup this year.  Juan Pierre, Mark Loretta, Brad Ausmus, Blake DeWitt – all decent players but all the bench guys for this coming year.

What caught my attention though were the starters who were in there – James McDonald, Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier and James Loney.  Obviously, there isn’t a back up for every spot, so you have to keep some regulars.

Here’s where my thoughts turned to concern.  Let’s think worst case scenario this year.  If Manny, Kemp or Eithier go down, Pierre is the everyday.  If two go down, it becomes a different question.

If Blake, Furcal, or Hudson go down, then you have Blake DeWitt or Mark Loretta.  Similarly, Martin goes down, then Ausmus.

Here’s the one that I couldn’t answer though.  What happens if Loney goes down?  I’m convinced the guy will win the batting title some day and he doesn’t seem prone to injury, but you never know what will happen.  I guess Casey Blake could go over there, but who else?  Mientkiewicz is an easy answer if he makes the team, but that hasn’t been decided yet.

I’m sure the Dodgers top brass have thought through this scenario, but it isn’t really obvious. 

Well, back to the game.  McDonald looks a little shaky.  Pierre is running like always.  Ethier doesn’t seem quite right yet, but Loney looks solid.  Bengie Molina and Randy Winn continue to be Dodger killers.

Let the Season begin!

Tags: Andre Ethier, Bengie Molina, Blake DeWitt, Brad Ausmus, Casey Blake, Doug Mientkiewicz, James Loney, James McDonald, Juan Pierre, Manny Ramirez, Mark Loretta, Matt Kemp, Orlando Hudson, Rafael Furcal, Randy Winn, Russell Martin

The Dodgers showed up on the Price Is Right this last week.  My grandpa watches that show every single day, so I had to check out the action.  It took me a little bit to find it, but I was finally successful. Here’s the story from the Dodgers website too.

Below is the video (my apologies for the commercial at the start), but first let me say that the guys shouldn’t quit their day jobs.  They are good ballplayers…but definitely awkward on camera.  Delwyn Young has the enthusiasm, but almost too much.  Russell Martin cracked me up.  The guy is a great catcher, but I don’t think he took his hands out of his pocket both times he was on camera.  He has that look like…”I have to stay cool, but this is really embarassing…”  I think James Loney had that same look…but he always has funny looks in his pictures anyway.  Mark Loretta actually looked fairly comfortable.  I wonder if he has a broadcast career ahead of him.

So when I first heard about them having the showcase showdown, I thought the price was $31,000.  Ends up it was $38,000, so the other guy would have won anyway.  It was a cool prize.  I would have gladly taken the press box, the front row seats, the Camelback ranch experience and the car.  They never say which Dodger legend will visit you in the press box, but I wonder if it’s like Vin Sculley, Tommy Lasorda or Fernando Valenzuela.  Just to be down on the field for batting practice would be cool.

Either way – all for naught.  Joel didn’t win the prize and the Dodgers don’t have to donate it.  I wonder what that would go for if they put it on Ebay.  I’d bid on it.

Tags: Delwyn Young, Fernando Valenzuela, James Loney, Mark Loretta, Russell Martin, Tommy Lasorda, Vin Sculley