Feeling Dodger Blue

So I’m watching the recap of MLB Network’s 20 greatest games, which has been an amazing series, and my favorite game ranks #10 on the countdown. It’s the Dodgers vs. the A’s, Game 1 of the 1988 World Series. I find myself watching the Gibson homer for what has to be the 3,714 time, although my wife will swear its more. It always seems to take me back to that day, how I was feeling and what I was doing. As a 9 year old, watching a moment like that and watching my favorite team in my favorite sport win the World Series, it is something I will never forget. As 9-year-old witnessing that series, I thought that my team would win every year, or at least win more often than they lose. However, looking back on the memory I do the math. The year 1988 subtracted from the year 2011 and all of a sudden, it’s been over 22 seasons since the Dodgers appeared in any World Series. Twenty-two seasons is the longest drought of World Series appearances in franchise history, a franchise that dates back to the late 19^th century. If you haven’t noticed, the Dodgers in 2011 don’t seem to be anywhere near ending that drought. So it raises the question, what has happened to the Dodgers?

Fact: The Dodgers 1^st World Series appearance was in 1916. In a 72 year stretch, the Dodgers appeared in 18 Fall Classics, winning 6. It’s not a great winning percentage, but when you run into the Yankees, the odds say you’re probably going to lose. The Dodgers lost to the Yankees in 8 different Series matchups. In fact, only the Yankees have appeared in more World Series than the Dodgers, which shows that the Dodgers, at one time, were the class of the National League. It also speaks to the fact that 22 years have passed it is only the Yankees ahead, although way ahead by a long shot.

Fact: The Dodgers won their first World Series championship in 1955, against the Yankees. It was the only championship they won while in Brooklyn. That team had a collection of stars, known as the Boys of Summer: Pee Wee Reese, Jackie Robinson, Duke Snider, Roy Campanella, all of which are Hall of Famers. Since then, the Dodgers had a good run of having at least one big star on the roster. That Brooklyn team passed the torch to Don Drysdale and Sandy Koufax, followed by Steve Garvey and Reggie Smith, who then passed the reigns to Fernando Valenzuela and Orel Hershiser, who then ushered in Mike Piazza. But that’s where it stopped. You could make a case of Eric Gagne and Manny Ramirez, but their success was very short in the grand scheme of things, not to mention tainted. Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier and Clayton Kershaw could wind up having great careers but the jury is still out.  This leads to the next question. Where have all the stars gone?

It is possible to look at things a certain way and say, “1988 hurt the Dodgers.” Yep I’m saying it, and all my family and friends reading are about to call and yell at me. Good thing the thousands of Dodger fans don’t have my phone number. But here is why I say that: Before 1988, the last time the Dodgers signed a free agent was 1980. Sure they made trades, but it was mostly home grown products through the system. Not only was it baseball’s way at the time, but it was definitely the Dodger way, that and good pitching. However, in 1988, the Dodgers signed Kirk Gibson, acquired other veterans like Jesse Orosco, Jay Howell, Mike Davis, and Alfredo Griffin, who all had a hand in helping the Dodgers win that year. They seemed to have the formula figured out, go get the big names and reliable veterans, piece them together, and it was easy. Being successful that season, they continued to get big names: Willie Randolph, Eddie Murray, Darryl Strawberry, and Eric Davis, all of whom have seen multiple all-star teams. But it didn’t work like it had in 1988. The Dodgers strayed from their structure, home grown and pitching

Speaking of home grown and pitching, the Dodgers had a kid from the Dominican who looked like a diamond in the rough. They signed him in his teens. When he joined the big club, everyone could see the potential was there. His brother was on the team too, so what a great story it would have made. But the Dodgers needed a leadoff hitter, so they traded the younger brother to Montreal for Delino DeShields. The younger brother was Pedro Martinez, who went on to win 3 Cy Young Awards, led the league in ERA 5 times, and is likely headed for Cooperstown. Delino DeSheilds is not. Another example is Mike Piazza. He was drafted in 1988 in the 62^nd round as a favor from his godfather, Dodger manager Tommy Lasorda. Piazza, after a few seasons in the farm league, goes on to win Rookie of the Year honors in 1993. Piazza then goes on to have 5 amazing seasons, which are some of the greatest in the history of men who played behind the plate. But alas, he, along with Todd Zeile, were traded in 1998 for Bobby Bonilla, Gary Sheffield, Charles Johnson and Jim Eisenrich. Sheffield had a solid tenure with the Dodgers. The rest of them, not so much. As for Mike Piazza, he is a shoe-in for the Hall of Fame. What could have been if the Dodgers had a battery of Mike Piazza and Pedro Martinez?

Instead, major changes came in the same year Piazza was traded. Peter O’Malley sold the Dodgers to the Fox Group in 1998, ending a 48-year ownership of the O’Malley family which oversaw 17 post season appearances and all 6 Dodger titles. The Fox Group went through general managers and field managers like Elizabeth Taylor went through husbands. It wasn’t until 2004 when Frank and Jamie McCourt purchased the Dodgers that L.A. won its first division title in 9 years. Things were finally looking up. The McCourt’s had the Dodgers playing in October again, 4 times in 6 seasons. 2008 and 2009 were very bright, but blown saves by Jonathan Broxton and too many walks by the Dodgers’ pitching staff gave the Phillies the win in both seasons. Then, the championship window was shut with a resounding slam heard throughout Dodger Stadium. The franchise falls again, possibly further down than before. The McCourt’s are on their way out. They and the Dodgers have become an embarrassment. The Dodgers may not make May’s payroll and more and more empty seats are appearing at Chavez Ravine.

Fact: The longest tenured current Dodger is not a superstar as would be expected. It is Hong-Chih Kuo, a relief pitcher.

Fact: From 1954-1996 the Dodgers had 2 managers. Don Mattingly is the 7^th skipper since Lasorda’s retirement.

Fact: The Dodgers have had 16 Rookie of the Year winners, none of which were after 1996.

Fact: The last Dodger MVP was in 1988.

This leads us back to the beginning. The past 22 seasons have gone by so quickly in some respects, but so slowly at the same time. The good moments have been overshadowed by the not so good moments. Other than Vin Scully, it seems that everything has changed. The outfield walls of Dodger stadium look like the yellow pages. Dodger Dogs aren’t what they used to be. The Lakers have easily surpassed “Los Doyers” in popularity among Angelenos. And to make matters worse, they have seen their northern California rival win a World Series, finally equaling the championship count at six. Unless the next owner stores credibility and a winning attitude back in to the Los Angeles Dodgers, it’s going to get darker before it gets brighter. I understand that other franchises have also suffered some even more so. The Royals and Pirates would love to have the Dodgers’ problems. The Indians have a current long drought of World Series Championships in their franchise. We all know about the Red Sox before 2004, and everyone feels sorry for the lovable loser Chicago Cubs. But as for the Dodgers, one of the classiest and most successful franchises in all of American team sports, they have spiraled downward leaving us to wonder when they will take our blues away?