One of the most awkward, difficult and regretful parts of my job is when I have to be critical in print of a player I really like, respect and admire. But in the interest of professionalism, it’s something that has to be done, and all you can do is what you have to do while hoping the player in question understands that. Such was the case tonight with Luis Gonzalez, one of the classiest players I have ever had the privelege of covering. In tomorrow’s game story, you will notice that I raise the question, as politely as possible, of whether the Dodgers wouldn’t be better served to have Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier manning the corner outfield spots — which would necessarily mean moving Gonzalez to the bench. It’s hard to ignore what has gone on in left field in the first four games of the season, especially after Gonzo failed to catch what should have been an inning-ending fly ball from Barry Bonds in the eighth, allowing the potential tying run to reach second base. But I think that play was just an isolated incident. The more alarming issue with Gonzalez is that opposing baserunners are routinely taking extra bases on him. Twice in four games, a routine single has become a double. Twice in the first TWO games, Gonzo failed to get to balls that might have been catchable. This guy is one of the most media-friendly players in the game, and no one is rooting harder for him than those of us who are SUPPOSED to be impartial but are also human. But to ignore what has gone on in left field this week would be to ignore my obligation to you, the reader. And if it makes things uncomfortable for me in the clubhouse, well, that’s part of my job, too.