Inside the Dodgers

It's going to be really, really tough for him to make the club as a non-roster outfielder, but he is a good guy who seems to have a firm grasp of things. He is hitting .615 with a triple and two homers, the triple coming in his only at-bat today. We talked with him for a few minutes after the game, just before he got on the bus. This guy turned down football scholarships to Georgia, Florida State and Notre Dame to pursue baseball. He is now 32, and he has a decent amount of big league service time -- two years, 146 days, spread over parts of six seasons with Atlanta, Detroit, Tampa Bay and Washington. But he had a real shot last spring to make it with the Nats, then he suffered a severe thumb injury in the fourth game of the spring and wound up playing only 54 games, all in the minors. He credits hitting coach Mike Easler, his manager several years ago in the Dominican Winter League, with helping him find his stroke this spring.
``I'm an older guy now, and I think I appreciate the game a little more,'' said Lombard, 32. ``I want to play long enough for my kids to be able to see me play. (The outfield situation) is just the way it is. It's fun to see these young guys coming up. ... (But) I can still do a lot of the things I did when I was younger, and I think I'm a better player and a smarter player now.''
As for choosing baseball over football all those years ago, when the Braves drafted him out of the Lovett School in Atlanta back in 1994, Lombard is philosophical now.
``You never know how (football) would have worked out,'' he said. ``But I'm very content with where I am. because I have a wife and two beautiful kids.''

Comments

The Dodgers should keep Lombard and trade away Ethier.

Posted by: Joey Baseball | March 10, 2008 3:25 PM

How much time major league time do you need to qualify for the pension?

Posted by: Phil | March 10, 2008 3:27 PM

Lombard's a character guy, like Juan Pierre. You can't have enough of those guys on your roster!

Look at Lombard's career stats. Somehow he impressed four major league teams enough into giving him a roster spot. They all released him as soon as they realized he isn't worth a darn.

Lombard has the same chance to make the club as Carol Lombard. Or Vince Lombardi.

Posted by: ThurmanMunsonFlightSchool | March 10, 2008 3:56 PM

How about Guy Lombardo?

Posted by: mark | March 10, 2008 4:41 PM

Tony, what specific minor league class did Alvarez, McDonald, Meloan and Orenduff get optioned to? Thanks.

Posted by: silverwidow | March 10, 2008 5:11 PM

I agree keep Lombard trade Ethier who can't even beat out Pierre for an outfield spot.

Posted by: French Foreign Legion | March 10, 2008 5:31 PM

George Lombard was not just drafted by the Braves, but in the 2nd round. When I look at his minor-league hitting stats, I am reminded a bit of Delwyn Young, which may be a cautionary tale.

Lombard age 22 AA: .308 / .408 / .543, 71 BB, 140 K, 493 PA
Young age 23 AA: .296 / .346 / .499, 27 BB, 86 K, 406 PA

Lombard age 24 AAA: .276 / .359 / .439, 55 BB, 130 K, 479 PA
Young age 24 AAA: .273 / .326 / .457, 42 BB, 104 K, 583 PA

Lombard age 25 Mostly injured
Young age 25 AAA: .337 / .384 / .571, 38 BB, 105 K, 537 PA.

Yes, Young raked last year, but that BB/K ratio is still pretty disturbing; he doesn't walk much more than Juan Pierre does. The ball does jump off his bat, but I worry that he has a hole in his swing that major-league pitchers can more consistently exploit. (It helps that his 2B career is being resuscitated.)

Posted by: El Lay Dave | March 10, 2008 5:46 PM

If we were to trade Ethier and Pierre, I would expect something more reliable than Lombard. Adam Dunn maybe...

Posted by: Dusto | March 11, 2008 1:25 AM

Don't forget Steve Lombardozzi. ... as for silverwidow's question, that hasn't been decided yet.

Posted by: tony jackson | March 11, 2008 7:50 AM

Ethier blows.

Posted by: Mikey | March 11, 2008 9:10 AM

Did members of the Juan Pierre Marching and Chowder (and PR) Society put out the call to post here? "Ethier blows." Great stuff. Listen, it's hard not to root for a guy like Lombard, too, but spring training stats are different than major league stats and I don't think people should get too carried away. There are stories like this every year. Maybe he'll agree to a AAA contract and be good insurance just in case, but that's probably the best he can hope for. At least we know with his pedigree and smarts he won't starve if this doesn't work out. And no, he's not a better option than Ethier, or probably even than Pierre.

Posted by: Craig Phillips | March 11, 2008 11:50 AM

Ethier really blows.

Posted by: Mikey | March 11, 2008 3:12 PM

Oh great, we found Plaschke's illegitimate son...congrats Mikey.

Posted by: sdodger | March 11, 2008 9:05 PM

Ethier really really blows.

Posted by: Mikey | March 12, 2008 8:39 AM