When I watch this 2008 Dodger team, I sit there and think to myself, something's missing. And two months in, it finally dawned on me: They're just not fun to watch. Besides the lack of power and inconsistent hitting, there's a lack of personality, a Dodger who every time he comes to the plate when we're down, there's a feeling the game's gonna turn around in our favor. We have no Magic.
Don't get me wrong. We've got some good players. Some future stars. I love Martin's fire, Kemp's ability, Loney's consistency, Ethier's professionalism, Kent's toughness, Furcal's spark, Pierre's speed, Nomar's clutch hitting (when he's healthy), but despite all of those qualities on this current Dodger roster, we don't have the Magic. The guy with the personality, charisma, and/or power to give us hope that we can score each time he steps into the batter's box.
A Special Ballplayer. The young guys will rise as Karros and Piazza did. But this year? We ain't got it.
A Special Dodger. A Dodger who makes opposing pitchers say, "Oh, crap". A Dodger who makes opposing centerfielders back up. A Dodger who's mere presence tells his teammates, "Follow me, let's do this."
Over the last twenty years of Dodger baseball...
These former Dodger had it: Piazza, Sheff (love him or hate him, he brought it), E.K., Gibbie.
These former Dodgers had it some of the time: Beltre, Greenie, Mondy.
These guys thought they had it, but never brought it (when they wore the Blue anyway): J.D. Drew, Straw, Eric Davis, Hee Sop
We've blown it over the years. We had our chance at Vladdy. Oh, that would have been nice. We traded Piazza. Damn the Fox years. But that's the past, we need some help now.
This is L.A., Mr. McCourt. And if you can't get us a guy with some pop at the plate, I get it, we don't want to give away our promising youth for a risky vet, at least get us a guy who can get under opposing pitchers skin, a personality, a Jose Lima type guy who can get this club going, get the dugout fired up.
Give us something fun to watch out there, McCourt. Give us some Magic this summer.
