Peavy says it's dirt and resin, Torre says it's not a big deal
``I have zero problem with anyone checking me out anytime during a game to see if I'm doing anything wrong,'' Peavy said. ``I do pick up a lot of resin, and I pick up a lot of dirt. I pick up dirt every inning. It's perfectly legal as far as I know.'' ... Torre says whatever it was, he doesn't want the Dodgers to use it as a crutch for why Peavy dominated them yesterday. ``If I start making a big deal of this -- and again, I'm not saying he should be allowed to do something illegal -- but all of a sudden, I'm saying to my players that this is why they didn't get anyhits. It's like accusing sombody of throwing a spitball. Well, hit the dry side. I just don't want to make any excuses for why we didn't win.'' ... The most cryptic thing Torre did say, though, was this: ``We were the visiting team yesterday. We'll be the home team on Friday, so the balls that get thrown out of the game will come over to our dugout.'' ... Jeff Kent is sitting today because with a day game yesterday and a night game tomorrow, Joe figured it would give him the equivalent of two full days of rest. Nothing wrong with him. Hu's on second today. (last time I drop that one on you, I promise. Believe me, I'm just as sick of that gag as any of you are).
Tony Jackson has covered the Dodgers for the Daily News since 2004 and has covered Major League Baseball on a regular basis since 1995. He previously covered the Colorado Rockies and Cincinnati Reds. He is a native of Springdale, Ark., and a graduate of the University of Arkansas.
Comments
Apparently Pierre is platooning with Kemp now. Do you have any insight into what's going through Joe's head. Is this a stupid lefty/right thing, is he really passing judgement on Kemp after 15 at bats, or does he just think Juan Pierre is anywhere near Kemp's plane that he deserves to play over him this much? I thought this was supposed to be Pierre vs. Ethier. I can't believe we've left arguably our best hitter on the bench for two straight games against our rival and two of the best pitchers in the league.
garciapierra.blogspot.com
Posted by: garciapierra | April 6, 2008 1:37 PM
...this guy Kemp just can't lay off the low off plate stuff...couldn't do it last year..can't do it this year...
Posted by: rick rose | April 6, 2008 4:09 PM
Give him time. He's going to be solid if not great.
And if he can hit .342 again this year then I'll take it.
Posted by: BruinFBBB | April 6, 2008 4:18 PM
"...this guy Kemp just can't lay off the low off plate stuff...couldn't do it last year..can't do it this year..."
If he couldn't do it last year, then please explain to me how he hit .342.
Kemp is a young hitter, and progress isn't always linear. It's not unusual to see a little regression in a young player. In fact, it happens in all walks of life, not just baseball.
In looking at the whole package, I believe that Kemp will be a force in the Dodger lineup. When that will happen is anybodies guess. As for whether or not Torre is employing a platoon, I doubt it. Torre mentioned the other day that Kemp was overanxious. The Dodgers faced two tough righthanders the last couple of days, and that is probably a part of it. I guess it's even possible Kemp might sit against Dan Haren tomorrow night. Whether it's tomorrow night or not, I expect Kemp to be back in the lineup soon, whatever arm the pitcher throws with.
And let's not forget, Kemp isn't the only one struggling at the plate. Hitting is often contagious, and I expect that it won't be too long before we witness a team breakout.
Despite the overall offensive mediocrity at the beginning of the season, the Dodgers are still 4-2. If they start to hit, and the pitching continues to be strong, there is a lot to look forward to.
It's early, much too early to panic or to begin to pass judgment. We need to let this play out for a while before jumping to any conclusions about Torre's intentions. I don't pretend to know what's in his mind, so for now I'm willing too sit back and observe. Besides, what other choice do I (or any of us) have?
Posted by: Brooklyn Dodger | April 6, 2008 5:02 PM
Some of us can whine and complain.
Others can trust that their HOF manager might know a thing or two about baseball. Maybe even more than them.
Good win today; that's the important thing. Let's not get into a pissing match amongst ourselves.
Posted by: BruinFBBB | April 6, 2008 5:08 PM
Great quotes by Torre.
Thanks Tony
Posted by: kingofdodgers | April 7, 2008 1:43 AM
rosin is white powder designed to dry your hand, there is no way to make dirt stick to your hand like that with rosin
peavey is full of it
Posted by: scmike | April 7, 2008 2:15 PM