A Dodger Fan Guide to Rooting in the Playoffs
September 30, 2011 at 7:41 am | Posted in PLAYOFFS | 48 Comments
It is now… *checks watch*… 186 days until Opening Day 2012. And while we might all be anxious to see what the Dodger lineup will look like when the team takes the field in early April, there’s still a whole lot of baseball to be played in 2011. But in the seven hours or so before C.J. Wilson throws the first pitch of the playoffs against Tampa Bay (starting Matt Moore, a decision that – right or wrong – I just can’t get over because of the sheer bravado involved), Dodger fans have a decision to make: who are we pulling for to win the title this year?
First, the good news: it can’t be the Giants again. As someone (and I forget who, so sorry) noted on Twitter during Wednesday night’s wildness, “we don’t have to deal with Brian Wilson this October, so that means we’re all winners.” Truer words were never spoken. Even if they weren’t spoken, but rather Tweeted, and then paraphrased by me.
At ESPN, Jim Caple attempts to measure a team’s “Rootability Index” through a complex series of criteria, but sometimes it’s more fun to be subjective. Let’s look at the competitors through Dodger-tinged glasses, from most offensive to least.
Absolutely No Way In Hell Division
Philadelphia Phillies
Like I even need to explain why, right? The Phillies not only have a recent championship and two recent NL pennants, they crushed the Dodger postseason dreams in both ’08 and ’09 in the most brutal ways possible. That alone disqualifies them from consideration. Plus who among us doesn’t find Shane Victorino to be insufferable? Besides, it’s not that I haven’t enjoyed the collection of rotation aces they’ve put together from a fan point of view, but I do like the idea that simply having a roster like that doesn’t automatically equal victory.
Oh, and everyone from Philadelphia is a horrible, soulless subhuman. So there’s that.
Chances of Me Rooting For Them Are Roughly Equal to Eugenio Velez Getting a Hit Division
New York Yankees
Unlike most of you, I’m guessing, I don’t despise the Yankees. Yes, they have the most money, and they can be obnoxious at times, but they’re run by smart people and I don’t see the point in rooting against them just for the sake of it. On the other hand, I have absolutely no idea how you can claim to be an impartial fan and actually root for the Yankees. It’s not like they need more people on the bandwagon or are desperately in need of a recent championship, though considering their rotation is C.C. Sabathia and not a whole lot else, it’d be interesting to see them pull it off. Still, a whole lot of things would have to go terribly wrong for me to start pulling for the Yankees in the playoffs.
If you’re not a Yankee fan and you’re rooting for them this October, you’re dead inside.
Arizona Diamondbacks
To be honest, I don’t hate the Diamondbacks either – most of them. Their worst-to-first run this year has been a great story for the game, and I’m glad to see Kirk Gibson & Kevin Towers having success as manager and GM, two guys I’ve always admired. Even their roster is mostly inoffensive, and toiling away in the desert means that megastar Justin Upton is woefully underappreciated on a national scale. If they win the NL pennant, it wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world (unless you’re a television executive, which, who cares.)
Yet there are a few problems with rooting for the Snakes from a Dodger fan point of view. First of all, they are a division rival, so that’s hard to cheer for, and they already have a World Series championship despite being in just their 14th season. They’re also the team that collected Willie Bloomquist, Geoff Blum, and Sean Burroughs at various points this year, leading to untold levels of “grit” and “scrap” like the world has never seen before. That’s not a notion of victory that I want to reinforce.
But most of all? Gerardo Parra. Screw Gerardo Parra.
St. Louis Cardinals
Tony LaRussa manages the Cardinals. Ryan Theriot plays for the Cardinals. With apologies to Rafael Furcal, absolutely not.
Good Teams From Places I’m Glad I Don’t Live Division
Texas Rangers
Rooting for Texas holds some appeal, if only because they were in financial straits nearly as dire as the Dodgers and have been one of the best teams in baseball despite it. Jon Daniels is the kind of GM I wish the Dodgers had, and he’s one of the few who can say that he snookered Toronto GM Alex Anthopoulos by stealing Mike Napoli for Frank Francisco on the back-end of the Vernon Wells trade last winter.
That said, they were in the World Series just a year ago, and I like variety. Besides, if Michael Young is hilariously already receiving MVP support for what was a good-but-not-great season, just imagine what it’ll be like if he’s flashing a ring.
Detroit Tigers
Other than the teams who are facing the Tigers, if you’re rooting against Detroit, you hate America, freedom, and puppies. How could you not want to give some amount of joy to that barren region? Yes, the Tigers were in the World Series just five years ago, but they haven’t actually won one since Gibson and Jack Morris were rolling over the Burger King Padres nearly 30 years ago, and Justin Verlander is an absolute joy to watch.
On the other hand, Brad Penny would get a ring too. I’m not sure I can abide by that.
Jumping on the Bandwagon Division
Tampa Bay Rays
The funny thing about the Rays is, they’ve already been one of the best stories in baseball for years. Coming from the depths of the “Devil Rays” era, they’ve already been to a World Series (2008) and won a division title (2010) – hell, they’ve already had a book written about them. They could have done just about nothing else and still had their recent clubs be memorable, but no, they had to top that this season by ditching Carl Crawford, Carlos Pena, and their entire bullpen, falling nine games out of the Wild Card in early September, fighting back to tie on the last day before being down 7-0 in the 8th inning against the Yankees… only to tie the game on a homer by Dan Johnson and his .108 average and win it on an Evan Longoria walkoff, his second of the game, almost simultaneously to the Orioles coming back to topple the mighty Red Sox.
You’re going to root against that team? Really? Hey, their fans may not support them, so you might as well, though slight demerits for the team that turned fringe players (Danys Baez & Lance Carter) into a few years of just-above-replacement performance from Edwin Jackson (2.2 rWAR with Tampa) into Matthew Joyce (matching 132 OPS+ scores the last two years) at the expense of the Dodgers.
But while I’d be quite happy seeing them come out of the AL, I can’t quite root for them to take the whole thing just yet, because there’s still the…
“One Brat to Unite Them All” Division
Milwaukee Brewers
I am trying, and failing, to think of a single reason to root against Milwaukee this postseason. Despite being in a small market, they have outstanding fans who consistently support the team. They have arguably the best owner in baseball, one who is willing to reinvest in the club, and one who I’ve already hoped would come rescue the Dodgers. They might have a small window, because of their very risky (and very entertaining) strategy to go “all-in” this year on the Zack Greinke & Shaun Marcum trades, in addition to Prince Fielder‘s impending free agency. (To clarify, because I’ve seen this before, that doesn’t mean they’re losing 98 games in 2012, just that there’s little left coming from the farm and Prince is likely to be elsewhere.) Their closer, John Axford, has a wicked mustache and comes out to obscure Swedish hardcore, rather than the generic butt-rock so many closers use today, and one of his set-up men is our old favorite Takashi Saito. They have Nyjer Morgan, who – while loved and hated by many – has created a gentlemanly Twitter alter-ego, Tony Plush, which is so ridiculous that it’s amazing.
Like Arizona, they’re led by a former Dodger, Ron Roenicke, and none of the three-headed ace crew of Greinke / Marcum / Yovani Gallardo threw more innings than old friend Randy Wolf. Hell, they also have Matt Kemp‘s main competition for the MVP in Ryan Braun, and it’s hard to even root against him because Braun has had such an absolutely MVP-quality season himself.
So… I guess I’m rooting for the 30th largest market (i.e., the smallest) to face the 26th largest market in the World Series. Oh, television people are going to love me.
48 Comments »
RSS feed for comments on this post. TrackBack URI
Leave a Reply
How Many McCourt Sins?
MSTI on the web
MSTI Library
Blog at WordPress.com. | Theme: Pool by Borja Fernandez.
Entries and comments feeds.
“On the other hand, Brad Penny would get a ring too. I’m not sure I can abide by that.” In my opinion, there’s the Dodgers and 29 evils. It’s a matter of who I want to lose less. This is exactly how I’m “rooting” for the exact same reasons. Well done. I’d pull for the Yankees over the D-bags.
Comment by Rich— September 30, 2011 #
You gotta cheer some for Detroit. As Moe said, “thems peoples living in Mad Max times…….”
Comment by Eephus Blue— September 30, 2011 #
I can’t do it. I can’t get behind Braun while he’s stealing Kemp’s MVP, even if he would totally deserve it in any other season. I’m too bitter about giving the MVP award (and the September player of the month award) to this guy: http://i550.photobucket.com/albums/ii426/kensai808/Baseball%20-%20Fun/RyanBraunFall.gif
Comment by Dave Pomerantz— September 30, 2011 #
HA. That’s one of my favorite GIFs ever, behind only Pablo Sandoval tripping over second base (and particularly the edited one that makes it appear he tripped because he saw a slice of pie.)
Comment by Mike Scioscia's tragic illness— September 30, 2011 #
I believe it was cake…
Comment by DodgersKings323— October 1, 2011 #
Hahaha I have to agree. Im mostly cheering for AL teams. That GIF is outstanding. MVPs dont face plant!
Comment by Eephus Blue— September 30, 2011 #
Honestly, I can’t believe the Kemp vs. Braun for MVP is even that close in many people’s view. When Braun can do what Kemp does without Prince Fielder hitting behind him, than we’ll talk.
Comment by Alex— September 30, 2011 #
yes screw Ryan Braun
Comment by format— September 30, 2011 #
Screw Ryan Braun AND you hate Apple? I think we just became best friends :)
Comment by Dave Pomerantz— September 30, 2011 #
our hatred for Apple and Braun has united us Dave. :) I like it
Comment by format— September 30, 2011 #
Quick! Somebody forward that to Jon Heyman!
Comment by SamAdams— September 30, 2011 #
Well written Mike, you have captured the true feelings Dodger fans will be expressing during this postseason. Spot on with PHI, NYY, & STL especially. “But most of all? Gerardo Parra. Screw Gerardo Parra.” <<< That takes the cake.
Comment by Justin— September 30, 2011 #
Insufferable is too nice a word for Victorino. I think he’s a distant relative of Gerardo Parra. If I hear Father Time McCarver or any other announcer refer to him as the “Flyin’ Hawaiian” one more time, I can’t be held responsible for my actions.
Comment by Gordon— September 30, 2011 #
Pretty good analysis…although I have to differ just a wee bit. But then, I’ve a bit of a personal affinity for the Cards, since my son lived in the St. Louis era for a couple years. However, my tolerance for Tony LaRussa has slipped quite a bit the past couple years (it’s only a coincidence that that’s since my son has moved back to Tampa). And since I remember Gibby’s homer in ’88 like it was yesterday, I have to put the D’Backs ahead of all other NL teams. Milwaukee? Meh.
But because my son, daughter-in-law, and 7-yr-old granddaughter are Rays fans, and because I was at the Trop Wednesday (although we had to leave after the 7th, because my son had to work early the next morning), I’m pulling for the Rays to win it all. If they don’t make it, then any NL team over any other AL team.
Comment by Steve Hall (Kestrel) (@_steve_hall)— September 30, 2011 #
Great post Mike, and I agree 100%. Tampa Bay versus Milwaukee in the Series! Of course, like the first commenter, I believe there is the Dodgers and all other teams are the enemy so I have nothing vested in the series except to be able to laugh at my co-workers who are all Yankee fans (the perils of living in the NY Metropolitan region).
Comment by Shmolnick— September 30, 2011 #
I’m not very, very, very surprised that you would say that because (slurp) you are a true Dodger fan who knows being a Dodger is all any fan should (burp) ever want to be.
I’m sorry that isn’t worthy of you, but perhaps you could give me a refresher course?
Comment by ceyheyjay— September 30, 2011 #
Hey Jay, who can say what constitutes a true Dodger fan? I’m just a nut and I would never apply my own crazy standards to anyone else. I just want ONLY the Dodgers to win.
Comment by Shmolnick— September 30, 2011 #
Sorry, I was afraid that wouldn’t come off right. I was just trying to get you to do a Tommy imitation for me. If it came off another way, I apologize as I sure didn’t mean it that way at all.
I was doing one of your Tommy imitations (not very well obviously) trying to motivate you to do one.
As for who to pull for, I’m pulling for a few former Dodgers, otherwise, I’ll do like I usually do when the Dodgers don’t make it to the playoffs. Watch football.
Comment by ceyheyjay— September 30, 2011 #
Shane Victorino – The Cryin’ Hawaiian.
Comment by BMcD— September 30, 2011 #
*Victorina
Comment by Brandon— September 30, 2011 #
There’s no way I’m actually “rooting” for any of these teams. Unfortunately, sigh, I’ll most likely watch some of the postseason since it’s going to be a long cold winter without Dodger baseball. If I had to pick one team that which I would feel slightly less sickened by if they should win it all I suppose it would be the Rays.
I also totally agree with the shadiness of Victorino and Parra.
Comment by Stacie Wheeler (@organicallyrude)— September 30, 2011 #
Mike, Perfect analysis especially from “Dodger-tinged glasses”. By the way, you’re writing is like Chicken Soup for the Dodger Soul. I truly appreciate your writing. In a year that has been so… impossible…( to take), I actually feel that next year CAN’T be any worse. That’s my pessimistic personality coming out. World Series–I’m rooting for the Rangers as I did last year. My “extreme-distaste” list is as follows. Phillies(there’s a big “F” sound in Phillies!), Yankees(It should be illegal for Dodger fans to root for them, Arizona, well, I was rooting for them until the last two weeks and became sickened with the Parra butt-hole and then I grew sick of them when Ryan “Tat-man” Roberts hit that grand-slam and pumped his fist Gibson style around the bases. BUT, if they do make it to the series, I will still root for Gibson’s team. It just seems like a team of escaped mis-fit’s. I really don’t care about any of the rest and would be proud to root for any team other than the Yankees or Phillies in the 2011 WS. Go Dodgers in 2012! Kemp for MVP. Congratulations Clayton on your Cy Young!
Comment by John Tiner— September 30, 2011 #
You’re forgetting that the Rays nontendering Dioneer Navarro and Lance Cormier probably cost the Dodgers close to 20 games (give or take).
Comment by CAD_Monkey— September 30, 2011 #
I blame San Francisco for letting Colletti go…
Comment by ThtsaPaddlin— September 30, 2011 #
This is the first time in my life that I actually don’t have the Yankees last in my pecking order of teams I hate. The Phillies are last. Of the 8 teams in the playoffs, I like them ninthmost.
And I hope Hunter Pence’s dreams go … unfulfilled.
Comment by Bob Timmermann— September 30, 2011 #
This is pretty much exactly what I was thinking, except I want Detroit to win it all, and I think they will.
Comment by Paul— September 30, 2011 #
Brewers (Or D-bags, only cause of Gibson) vs. De-Twat (city needs a pick me up) or Rays (Texas is ok). Hate Phillies and Yanks, they’d have to be playing the Taliban for me to route for either team. Don’t care for the Cards much. You pretty much summed up my thoughts Mike. Well done. Hoping to see some good pitching and some good games. I’m more looking fwd to your, year in review, and off season moves, postings then I am the baseball postseason though. Your writings are more entertaining and informed than listening to Douchey-Joe Buck and crew announce the games. I bleed blue and everyone else can suck it!! Ha ha. Go Dodgers
Comment by Boys of Blue— September 30, 2011 #
My list:
1. Detroit- mainly because my Mom was born and raised there, and the whole town needing a lift thing.
2. Milwaukee- Saito and Wolf being on them helps
3. Tampa Bay- another non offensive team
4. Texas- The team that’s in the playoffs the longest without a championship (remember they stared as Washington Senators in 1962), 50 years no title, wow.
5. Arizona- they be higher if it weren’t for Parra, fucker
6. Cards- Larussa is douchebag, nuff said
7. Phillies- I can never root for Yankees (except against Giants), so they go above them
8. Yankees- I can never root for them, except against Giants
Comment by Throwdeuce— September 30, 2011 #
Also, Mike, I wanted to say from the bottom of my heart, thank you for updating this blog regularly and thoughtfully all year. I know it seems like a lot of work with little payoff, but it seriously makes my day every time I come here and see a new post. It’s not often you find honest commentary mixed with accurate reporting, relevant analysis, and a touch of hilarity. It’s one of the only things that makes following this team bearable right now, and seeing people who are even more passionate about baseball and a non-contending bankrupt team than myself is truly a joy. Keep it up.
Comment by Paul— September 30, 2011 #
Thank you, Paul. Very much appreciated.
Comment by Mike Scioscia's tragic illness— September 30, 2011 #
I feel like the Rays might be America’s team in the way the Dodgers used to be. Maybe I just can’t stand the idea of their only fans being retirees.
Comment by Table— September 30, 2011 #
It’s weird to me you’re so against the DBacks. I would root for any NL West team besides the Giants. I don’t really see the others as rivals so much, I see them as bringing attention to our division. I actually have NL West pride, believe it or not. I also like Milwaukee just fine. I wish Roy Halladay was on a different team so I could root for him too, because I want him to win a title without the Phillies having to win another one. The only team that I have no reason to root for whatsoever is the Yankees.
-
My ideal WS would be either Ray-DBacks or Rays-Brewers
Comment by Bip— September 30, 2011 #
I cannot tolerate watching George W. Bush smirking in the front row, so Texas is out. Rays, Brewers, or Cardinals (because my grandmother, who met Babe Ruth, was from St. Louis).
Comment by Kip— September 30, 2011 #
You won’t have to see your president throwing like a girl in Chicago, though.
Go Rangers!
Comment by SamAdams— September 30, 2011 #
Just our luck it’ll be Parra and Victorino in the World Series.
Comment by Omer— September 30, 2011 #
That would be… impressive.
Comment by Mike Scioscia's tragic illness— September 30, 2011 #
ack! brainfart. d’oh! long day. sorry.
Comment by Omer— September 30, 2011 #
umm…….
Comment by Eephus Blue— September 30, 2011 #
I don’t have strong feelings about any of these teams, but I do believe that playing in a dome, on artificial turf, should mean automatic disqualification.
Comment by WBB— September 30, 2011 #
It’s odd that no one has mentioned this video after being so quick to hate on Parra and Victorino (note: I hate them both as well):http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K26ShOQHGg0
It’s hard to root against either of the teams from the Rust Belt, since they so desperately need something to rally around. A Milwaukee-Detroit World Series would have horrible ratings, but it would be great for that region. (How bout them Lions, BTW?)
Personally, I’d like to see the Diamondbacks beat Milwaukee in the NLDS because (1) they represent the NL West; (2) Ian Kennedy’s manufactured Cy Young candidacy is a joke, so their advancement to the NLCS or WS wouldn’t detract from Kershaw or Kemps’ Cy Young and MVP chances; and (3) they’ve got a lower payroll. But I wouldn’t be upset if Milwaukee won; I think they’re clearly the better team.
I’d take STL over PHI in the other DS for obvious reasons, but I’d love to see Holliday take another fly ball off the cajones in the process.
I don’t have bitter hatred towards New York, but their payroll disgusts me (if they lose, would anybody be surprised to see Girardi managing elsewhere next year?). Plus, Detroit needs this.
Texas is hard to root against, but you gotta love the Rays. If the rays end up taking the DS and the LCS, I’d love to see them beat the shit out of the Phillies to avenge their ’08.
My heart says Rays over D-Backs in the WS, but my brain says Brewers over Texas.
Comment by ThtsaPaddlin— September 30, 2011 #
Cajones means “boxes;” cojones means “balls.” A good alternative term is “huevos.”
Comment by WBB— September 30, 2011 #
Those security guards are quite an intimidating group.
Comment by Ian— September 30, 2011 #
On Kennedy’s manufactured Cy Young candidacy.
http://tucsoncitizen.com/tc-arizona-sports/2011/09/20/does-ian-kennedy-deserve-nl-cy-young-award/
But… the… facts, reason. logic. ugh. askld;jfask;dfj
Comment by Paul— October 1, 2011 #
How many West teams have won the WC or won the pennant? And we still get no respect, i don’t see the Dbacks changing that.
Comment by DodgersKings323— October 1, 2011 #
I’m still gonna have a really hard time “rooting” for Craig Counsell to get another ring. Advantage Rays.
Comment by Rich— September 30, 2011 #
Axford’s song is legit, and I have to say that I picked the same teams to root for this post-season. By the way, if I had a walk-up/out song I would have this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujLzS2aXDJs
Of course, Nancy Bea would be playing the Organ along with the other layered sections of the song.
Comment by Ian— September 30, 2011 #
im pulling hard for Tampa. easy bandwagon team lol. Go Rays. I love the homegrown staff. Price/Shields/Hellickson/Niemann/Davis/Moore. awesome.
Comment by Joey E.— September 30, 2011 #
Pure win!! By the mention of “butt-rock” lol, plus they have bernie brewer! Who we are supposed to like for some reason…..
Comment by DodgersKings323— October 1, 2011 #