Are the Dodgers Better Off Without Jeff Kent?
September 2, 2008 at 2:21 pm | Posted in Blake DeWitt, Jeff Kent, Matt Kemp | 9 Comments
I’m not saying just yet that they are or aren’t; but it seems to be a discussion worth having. Check out these comments from Joe Torre to MLB.com:
Kent is always a focal point of sorts, even when he’s gone. Manager Joe Torre said that the dugout mood was especially loose during Sunday’s win (Kent had returned to Los Angeles before Saturday night’s game) and, responding to a question, acknowledged that Kent’s serious demeanor might intimidate his younger teammates.
“With me, when I was a young player, nothing meant more to me than my brother Frank’s opinion,” said Torre. “Now, maybe, the shadow of big brother is not around. Maybe that frees them up to do other things. That’s what comes to mind for me. I still think there’s an air of respect for that person, but sometimes you’re a little hesitant to be outgoing if someone’s there to correct you.”
This is hardly a solid cause-and-effect, but with Kent, the Dodgers had lost 10 of their last 11 games. As soon as he was out of town (and not just out of the lineup. The whole point here is the idea that just his presence may have been detrimental), they’ve ripped off four wins in a row, starting with Saturday’s game, since as the article notes, he left before it.
Again, I’m not saying any of this is more than just a coincidence. But it’s really not all that hard to believe that as what is most likely Kent’s last season began circling the drain during a brutal losing streak, that he might have become even more difficult to be around in the clubhouse. It’s hard to play well when you’re tight and not having any fun, and as prickly as Kent always is, I can only imagine what he was like when no one could hit. I mean, it’s not as though replacing him on the field has helped all that much, because while Blake DeWitt’s definitely been an improvement on defense, he’s only managed three singles in the five games he’s played since returning. Maybe a happier, looser clubhouse is what turned things around? No one can say for sure, of course, but if you’ve got a better idea for how a team can suck so awfully against the worst team in baseball (Washington) and somehow come back to take out two Cy Young contenders on back-to-back nights starting the exact game Kent was out of the locker room, please let me know.
On another note, Giants blog El Lefty Malo is already taking a look ahead at what you might be seeing from San Francisco in 2009. (Sidenote: woof! I almost feel bad for these guys. Almost.) In discussing what they might have in right field, they say:
(The ideal right fielder for Mays Field is a guy with plus speed, a great arm, and a right-handed bat whose home runs don’t die on the right-center field warning track. Like this guy.)
In case you don’t want to click on their link… they’re talking about our very own Matt Kemp. Is there anything better than having your oldest rivals drooling over your young talent? I think not.
- Mike Scioscia’s tragic illness 
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I’ve always said the Dodgers need to purge all Giants from the organization, starting with Kent and Colletti.
There’s no doubt that Kent can be a great hitter, but he’s 40 years old and should be DHing for a team like the Rangers next year. He’ll always be a Giant in my mind.
Comment by Fred— September 2, 2008 #
Kent’s almost certainly going to retire after the year no matter what, so that won’t be an issue.
You’re right about ex-Giants, other than the fact that Kent was very good his first few years here. Schmidt, Conte, and Colletti have hardly been impressive.
Comment by Mike Scioscia's tragic illness— September 2, 2008 #
you forgot Sweeney
Comment by Damon— September 2, 2008 #
Them winning without Kent is like the media saying that the Dodgers are 11-15 with Manny or whatever. Or if the Dodgers have winning records with Jones and Pierre starting. One doesn’t really cause the other to me. :o
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However, they might actually be better off if DeWitt has solid offense and even average defense. I still seriously think that the Dodgers need to start Hu at least on days where Lowe and Kuroda pitch. Because seriously, the infield hits, dinkers, and failed double plays are getting REALLY old. The plays that Garciaparra is diving after are balls that Hu makes look almost routine. Lowe is close to suicide i’m pretty sure.
Comment by Fire Ned Colletti Now— September 2, 2008 #
Kensai, I know that you can’t really point at Kent’s absence as a reason for the streak. But you can’t deny that it’s a heck of a coincidence that the streak ends (against two Cy Young candidates) basically the second he’s out of town.
Comment by Mike Scioscia's tragic illness— September 2, 2008 #
I think Kent was like poison to the rest of the team. His negativity was sending *&%&^* vibes to the rest of the group. They are so much better off without him. Now, can we have Furcal and Saito back?? Please???
Comment by Dodger fan— September 2, 2008 #
It seems to me that the Dodgers went on their losing streak right when Kent made the comment about Ramirez saying that he wasn’t helping him see better pitches. Saying that he had been doing it his whole career.
Every August Kent opens his big mouth and the team takes a dive. Not so sure it was Bonds, Bradley…..Think it was Kent! Keep him out…I’ll take Dewitt!
Comment by BlueCrewGuy— September 3, 2008 #
Last year as well as this year, T.J. throws Jeff under the bus. Silly Jeff for talking to him but Jeff was joking. He said so as much at the WIN baseball clinic with a big smile on his face.
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those of you that don’t like Jeff, have you ever met him? i had a camera guy covering the WIn baseball clinic tell me “I did not know what a nice guy Jeff is”. Another guy told me the same thing.
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Jeff was a Dodger to me, the day he cried at his press conference. I love how he gets down to a kid’s level with a big smile on his face and hands out his batting gloves. He is really nice with the fans. At the autograph signings at Macy, he told me “there you are”. “I am sorry, what is your name?”. I was like WOW. I never told him my name. On the road, he is one Dodger that does not hide behind a cell phone to avoid the fans.
Comment by crzblue— September 3, 2008 #
[...] the hell is going on? How does the pendulum swing so quickly, and for no apparent reason? Last week I put forth the idea that maybe Kent’s absence from the locker room, more than his absence from the field, could [...]
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