Hiroki Kuroda Reminds Us of What’s Important
August 31, 2010 at 1:14 am | Posted in Hiroki Kuroda, Manny Ramirez, Matt Kemp | 41 Comments
Today had the potential to be one of the darkest days in Dodger history, and in many ways, I suppose it was. As if shipping off the man who sits atop the club’s all-time leader boards in several important offensive categories for next to nothing wasn’t enough, we had to deal with the start of the embarrassing divorce case between two millionaires equally unworthy of owning the club. (Seriously, if you care about the case, you should be following Molly Knight and Josh “Dodger Divorce” Fisher, who have been killing it from within the courtroom).
With those kind of sideshows going on simultaneously, and with the tacit admission that the Manny trade meant that the 2010 season was all but over, you could be forgiven for forgetting that there was even a game tonight. Hiroki Kuroda didn’t forget, though, taking a no-hitter into the 8th – the 7th time in his short Dodger career that he’s gone at least five innings and allowed two hits or fewer.
Kuroda’s always seemed a bit underappreciated, largely because he quietly goes about his job and often comes up with little to show for it. Even in those six previous starts allowing two hits or less, he came away with the win only twice. As Dave of Big League Stew noted as the game headed into the late innings, Kuroda’s win/loss record is a complete joke:
Kuroda’s a fine example of a pitcher’s W-L record not meaning bupkus. 26-28 my tuchas.
After everything that happened today, would anyone have been surprised if Roy Halladay had come out and just destroyed this team? Of course not. Kuroda deserves our thanks, not just for tonight’s performance, but for reminding us that no matter how ridiculous things get outside the lines, it’s always worth watching what happens on the field.
******
Hey, the night belonged to Kuroda, but seeing Rod Barajas, SoCal native and longtime Dodger fan, hit a homer in his first home game with the Blue was pretty nice too. I’m starting to get a little worried that his hot start is going to fool fans into thinking that he’s, you know, good at baseball, because 34-year-olds with career OBP’s of .283 who just got let go by the Mets don’t generally all of a sudden figure it out. There’s really no scenario in which I’m okay with him as the starter next year, but I’m warming to the idea of bringing him back on the cheap to share time with Russell Martin, assuming Martin returns.
Really, half the reason I brought up Barajas was to post this picture:
Barajas over Halladay? You’re goddamn right. And that’s even his ball in the top there!
******
Oh look, the obligatory “Bill Plaschke bashes Manny” story. It’s so predictably wrong that I really could write an entire piece on it, but I can’t allow myself to devote another entire post to this “journalist”, so I’ll just hit the high points.
But, with the exception of an occasional lucky moment when a fat pitch hit his slow bat, he departed the Dodgers the moment he was busted for being a performance-enhancing drug cheat.
Imagine if he didn’t have a “slow bat”? I’m sure he’d have done much better than 13th in MLB in OPS, or the 21st best season of all time by a 38-year-old. Nah, I’m sure that was all “luck”.
Three years ago, he bailed on the Boston Red Sox in his final plate appearance there by refusing to lift the bat off his shoulder on a three-pitch strikeout. On Sunday, he topped that bit of despicable behavior by being ejected from his final Dodgers game for arguing the first pitch of a pinch-hit appearance. Really, Manny? The first pitch? Couldn’t you have given the Dodgers at least two more?
Except.. that the pitch was basically in the opposite batter’s box, and just about everyone agreed on that. Joe Torre, with absolutely zero reason to defend Manny and every reason to hang him out to dry, backed him up after the game and criticized the umpire. I mean, even LA Dodger Talk – who I usually wouldn’t agree with if they claimed the sky was blue and that Sandy Koufax was a Dodger – was on the same page on this one. Of course, Bill’s never been one to let “facts” get in the way of a good story.
For all the wigs and wackiness and Mannywood mania, you know what Ramirez actually gave the Dodgers?
Ten weeks. Ten good weeks.
Well, ten historically excellent weeks. And then about five more great ones before he was suspended. And two great ones after his return, before getting hit by a pitch. Some pretty good, if not great, weeks to end 2009, and a blazing start to 2010 before getting hurt again. So there’s that.
You say he led the Dodgers back to the NLCS the following year? I say, and the Dodgers agreed, that they would have reached it without him. Weren’t they in first place when he came back from his 50-game suspension?
Wait, so all the games that they won with him – you know, the ones that had them 6.5 games up when he was suspended – they don’t count anymore? Because, I feel like they did.
I would love to cheer Ramirez from life’s dugout as he fights off collapse in the final inning of his storied career. But I’m taking a shower.
Oh, ha, I see what he did there. He’s referencing a manufactured “controversy” that he started, that few people cared about at the time, and which no one remembers now. Well done, Bill.
******
Now that I’ve wasted too much time on that has-been, be sure to check out someone who actually knows what they’re talking about, Chad from Memories of Kevin Malone. His piece today on what’s ailing Matt Kemp is a must-read, particularly for the breakdown (with video!) of his mechanics:
Striding forward on a consistent plane allows the hitter to keep his weight back, keep his hips closed, and keep his timing regular. The actual end alignment of the feet doesn’t really matter that much, but the important thing to note is what happens when Kemp’s hips begin to drift away from the ball as he tries to start his swing.
When he prematurely releases his hips through his stride action, his bat dips further under the contact zone than intended, in order to compensate for left side pulling away, and the bat head will be slower to get to the launch position because the core is the primary mover in bat speed. So by Kemp not having his stride in gear, instead of keeping his weight back, power stored, and remaining on time, he’s off-balance, drained of bat speed, and late on pitches.
If you haven’t already, be sure to check out the entire thing.
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You are seriously on a roll right now. Just a great job by you, Chad, Josh, and Eric. Well done.
Here’s my thing though…. Trade Kuroda now… his value will never be higher. Trade him now.. trade Dotel, Podsednik, Belliard, Sherrill, Blake(doubtful), Lilly… anyone who’s a free agent after this season. Get cash, get prospects, get a lifetime supply of Turtle Wax, a years supple of Rice-A-Roni… the San Francisco Treat… get whatever you can…. go all in
Comment by David Weiner— August 31, 2010 #
Thanks; it’s easy when there’s a lot to talk about.
Totally agree about trading everyone, I just really doubt they’ll do it.
Comment by Mike Scioscia's tragic illness— August 31, 2010 #
how about some love for theriot? 10 game hit streak and excellent D around 2B (certainly better than dewitt!)….are you still hating the trade now?
also casey blake is tearing up now…..wonder how long it will last?
Comment by moose— August 31, 2010 #
I still don’t like the trade (Theriot is older, more expensive, and not hitting better than Dewitt), but I will admit he’s been better defensively than I expected.
Comment by Mike Scioscia's tragic illness— August 31, 2010 #
well i dont know the stats offhand….but it seems that theriot is not as susceptible to LH (or RH!) pitching as dewitt was…isnt that important with andre ethier normally batting after him and useless against LH pitching?
Comment by moose— August 31, 2010 #
Sense W-L records don’t mean bupkus lets pick up Charlie Morton from the Pittsburgh Pirates who is 1-10 with a 10 ERA or the Mets Oliver Perez 0-4 6.70. Those records are not an indication of their ability right? The Dodgers should also stay away from pitchers like Adam Wainright, Ubaldo Jemenez who both have 17 wins that don’t reflect their true abilities. In fact we should stay away from a pitcher like CC Sabathia and his 18 wins which don’t mean bupkus. I agree Kuroda’s a fine example of a pitcher’s W-L record not meaning bupkus in some cases…..especially relievers. Kuroda’s win/lose record may be a joke and indeed inaccurate but in other cases with starting pitchers the W-L and the ERA can indeed help evaluate a pitcher. With pitchers I am not sure if you trade the devil you know for a devil you don’t know. One stat if you call it that realy determines and impacts the W-L record is the salary it takes to earn that W-L record. Barry Zito’s price is not nearly worth his W-L, ERA or innings pitched.
Comment by Adonis— August 31, 2010 #
Good one! You had me going there for a few seconds until I realized your tongue was firmly planted in cheek :D
Comment by The Dude Abides— August 31, 2010 #
The fact that Morton’s ERA is over 10 is a much better indicator that he blows than the fact that he has 10 losses.
Comment by Mike Scioscia's tragic illness— August 31, 2010 #
Yo a complete diffent thought. You correctly posted about the Dodgers not being honest about what was going on with Manny during the games he sat out. Now that you/we have more information on Manny’s final days who do you think was responsible for Manny being told to sit and do you still think Torrre is a liar?
Comment by Adonis— August 31, 2010 #
Good question, and I’m not really sure. I still think this was at least partially an organization decision, because no one would really tell their best hitter to not play for four days in what they think is a pennant race. But there’s always that sliver of doubt that Torre has just really lost his marbles and thinks that Podsednik is more valuable.
Comment by Mike Scioscia's tragic illness— August 31, 2010 #
I think G.Anderson might be proof of what you are saying about Torre.
Comment by Mark— August 31, 2010 #
I think Torre officially lost his marbles earlier in the year when he let Ramon Ortiz “talk” him into giving him another spot start.
Comment by format— August 31, 2010 #
I think we’re going to have to wait for Torre’s next book wherein he trashes the Dodgers and tells us his take on what was really going on. (Not that that will bear much reality to the situation.)
Comment by Bill Grabarkewitz— August 31, 2010 #
Adonis, that’s some sweet parody.
Comment by Gold Star for Robot Boy— August 31, 2010 #
Wow, that Matt Kemp piece… I wonder if he’s receptive enough to criticism to look at a serious problem in his mechanics and try to fix it. I wonder if the golden boy has enough self discipline.
And I’m so glad you hate Bill Plaschke as much as I do. You know who I hate more than him though, and have for a while now? Shane Victorino.
Comment by Bip— August 31, 2010 #
I thought it was kind of funny how Victorino was the one to break up the no-hitter. Since he, you know, threw at Victorino’s head in the 2008 NLCS. Almost karmic. Sucks though, I agree that Kuroda has always been a little under appreciated. He’s been solid during his time for the Dodgers.
Comment by Bob Dole— August 31, 2010 #
Tony Jackson of ESPN LA had a nice piece on Manny’s departure and how his teammates felt about Manny and what he did for the Dodgers. I think what will be missed most is Manny’s work ethic and his joie de vivre. I hope he lights it up enough for the ChiSox to keep close to the Twins…good for the game. Plaschke?….what a maroon.
Comment by Wes Parker— August 31, 2010 #
Yeah, I’m getting caught up in Barajas-mania, but I still would only want him back as Martin’s backup. I’m really hoping Russ gets better, because the free agent catchers list is scaaaaaary. (DON’T SIGN BENGIE, NED!)
Comment by Josh S,— August 31, 2010 #
I wonder that, if Martin can’t handle the rigors of catching due to the hip injury, he replaces Blake and becomes our new 3rd baseman. :o
Comment by Gerson— August 31, 2010 #
That was suggested elsewhere in the comments as well, but I couldn’t be more against it.
Comment by Mike Scioscia's tragic illness— August 31, 2010 #
He was also really bad defensively at 3rd, if I remember correctly.
Comment by Josh S.— August 31, 2010 #
but would he be better than the alternatives? actually, let me check myself.
If he stays at catcher, we get another year of Blake. If he moves, we get a year (and none more) of Barajas/Ellis/whomever we can. Either way, FA pool doesn’t look inspiring, so…were stuck with below average production in both positions
Comment by Gerson— August 31, 2010 #
i forgot (and none more *I hope)
Comment by Gerson— August 31, 2010 #
Kuroda has been a quiet stud for the Dodgers…amazing what happens when you just play the freaking game and let your talent do the talking. Kuroda would be one hell of a 4th or 5th starter next year. Here’s to hoping he stays!
Comment by Jeff— August 31, 2010 #
I disagree about Barajas,I think he’s a very useful bat whether starting or backing up..he’s not a difference maker,but with martin’s career downslide,he’s (rod) not going to be any worse…he’ll hit 230,15+ hrs,60 rbis…imo that’s right on pace with most starting catchers…most importantly,he has a leader on the field…something we desperately lack…I loved when he went out and consoled kuroda after giving up the hit,he’s worth a 2nd look as you pointed out.
Comment by veniceslasher— August 31, 2010 #
Barajas would be an ideal backup. No problem with that. Went to the game last night and the DodgerTalk guys mentioned with his broken hip, Russell Martin may have move back to third base if the Dodgers brought him back. Not that I want Barajas to start everyday, but it would solve the 3rd base problem maybe.
Comment by Juan Pierre— August 31, 2010 #
Oh good lord NO. Martin’s not a great hitter for a catcher, can you imagine how awful he’d be compared to 3B?
Comment by Mike Scioscia's tragic illness— August 31, 2010 #
yeah that would be a pretty terrible idea. on a scale of 1-10 for terrible ideas that would rank a 10!
Comment by format— August 31, 2010 #
I for one would be interested in seeing how he does at 3rd…we can all blame the over-use grady little is responsible for which may have contributed to his 2 year slump…but at this point its worth the shot of trying something new…I have no problem losing blake,but I doubt the dodgers will move him..its his final year next year.they may just play it out and then figure it out
Comment by veniceslasher— August 31, 2010 #
Oh, man, Martin at third? Tell me that’s not in the realm of possibility, even with this screwed up organization. 3B is a power position. Blake doesn’t approach being a classic 3B and he’s a better hitter—which doesn’t take much—than Martin.
Think Cey. Or Brett. Schmidt. Robinson. Or, gee, what about this guy Beltre? Think the Dodgers might like him? Nah.
Comment by SC Dodger— August 31, 2010 #
Torre has been quoted as saying they would have moved Ramirez even if we were in 1st place, because he should be platooned in LF, is a defensive liability and doesn’t really effect our W-L record………how bout them apples
Comment by DodgersKings323— August 31, 2010 #
Holy shit! Joe finally opened his mouth and removed all doubt.
Comment by The Dude Abides— August 31, 2010 #
MSTI I can’t stand it. All the sites people posting how we are better off with Pods. And how great Pierre was and is. How Manny ‘never was the same’. How Manny gave up and didn’t want to play. What can we do to keep our sanity???
Comment by David S— August 31, 2010 #
I like it. The fact that so many people are wrong motivates me to keep writing.
Comment by Mike Scioscia's tragic illness— August 31, 2010 #
I copied your post about Manny’s ‘terrible’ 2009 season on some site of all crybabies. At least one person replied and thanked me for the info.
Comment by David S— August 31, 2010 #
Thanks. Where?
Comment by Mike Scioscia's tragic illness— August 31, 2010 #
Yikes,
There have been so many now I can’t find it. I thought it was on one of the ESPN sites. Sorry
Comment by David S— August 31, 2010 #
From Plascke-
“It is hard to say the Dodgers were suckered when they won eight postseason games in two seasons with Ramirez after winning one postseason game in the previous 20 years. Yet somehow it feels that way.”
So he means no matter what I will ignore the facts because I hate Manny!!
Comment by David S— August 31, 2010 #
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