2011 Dodger Bobblehead Predictions

With the Dodger season finally over, it's time to look forward to 2011. I'm not gonna talk about the team right now. I'll save that for another day. Today I wanna take a crack at predicting next year's bobblehead giveaways.

This year the Dodgers gave away four bobbleheads, Andre Ethier, James Loney, Jonathan Broxton and Matt Kemp. It was Kemp's second bobblehead in two years. I think it's safe to assume Kemp will not get a bobblehead three years in a row. The other three didn't have spectacular seasons, so they probably won't get bobbleheads again in 2011 either.

So who will get nodders next year?

The Dodgers have given away four bobbleheads each year for the last three years. Let's assume they keep up this trend. I think they start with the newest Dodger, manager Don Mattingly. They gave Joe Torre a bobblehead in 2008. What better way to make Donnie Baseball feel like a Dodger than to give him a bobblehead?

Who's next? Well, most of the offensive players have recieved bobbleheads over the last three seasons, so I think the Dodger go with three pitchers in 2011. The first one will be Chad Billingsley. He finished 2010 nicely and has been solid for the team over the last few years. Chad's a beast. He deserves a bobblehead.

The third bobblehead will be Hong Chih Kuo. Kuo had an amazing 2010 season, finishing the season with a 3-2 record, leading all Major League relievers with a 1.20 ERA. That 1.20 ERA set a new record for a Dodger pitchers in a season, previously held by Eric Gagne. In 56 appearances out of the bullpen, he pitched 60.0 innings, struck out 73 walking just 18 while converting 12 saves in 13 chances. He also became the first Taiwanese-born player to play in the All-Star game. I think the Dodger will honor his All-Star appearance with a bobblehead, although most Dodger fans would like to see him honored with a bat flip bobblehead.  Mike at thelfp.com showed us what it could look like:

The last bobblehead the Dodgers will give away in 2011 will be Clayton Kershaw. The "Ace" of the staff must be honored. Kersh really stepped it up in 2010, finishing his third major league season with a record of 13-10, an ERA of 2.91, 32 starts, 204 1/3 innings and 212 strikeouts. His wins, starts, innings and strikeouts are all career highs. He deserves a bobblehead, right?

So those are my 2011 Dodger bobblehead predictions. Any thoughts? Is there someone more deserving?  Let me know.

Barajas makes Debut In Blue, Dodgers Win

The Dodgers beat the Milwaukee Brewers 5-3 tonight. This is what happens when the Dodger offense actually gives the starting pitcher some run support. They got that run support from a guy making his Dodger debut, Rod Barajas.What a night for the newest Dodger. He went 3 for 4 with a homerun, two doubles and three RBI.

Ted Lilly continues his hot Dodger start. He went 6 1/3 innings tonight, giving up three runs on seven hits while striking out two Brewers. Lilly improves to 5-0 with an era of 1.84 as a member of the Dodgers.

Then there's Matt Kemp. The Bison crushed a 447-foot homerun tonight off of Milwaukee starter Dave Bush. The ball actually got lodged in the scoreboard! It was Kemp's 22nd homerun on the year and his third straight game hitting one out.

Hong Chih-Kuo earned his fifth save of the year after pitching a scoreless ninth inning.

Now That I'm Calm, A Recap Of Last Night's Dodger Game

Yes, the Dodgers' 2010 season is over. I think we've known this for a few weeks now. Last night's bullpen debacle was just another reminder of how crappy things really are in Dodgertown.

I woke up yesterday eager to see Clayton Kershaw and the Dodgers play. After getting completely manhandled by Roy Oswalt the night before, I also couldn't wait to see Joe Blanton. I also hoped for Matt Kemp's return to the line-up. Well, Matt Kemp made his return, going 3 for five with a homerun and 4 RBI and the offense jumped all over Joe Blanton. Kershaw was amazing, going 6 2/3 and giving up only two runs. Great. The Dodgers were up 9-2 in the eighth. And then the shit just hit the fan.

Ronald Belisario and Jonathan Broxton. Two names Dodger fans are hating right now. Between the two of them, they faced nine Phillies and gave up EIGHT runs. Belisario was just god-awful giving up four runs in the eighth.

Broxton was just as bad. He hit the first batter he faced, then walked the next two. Then Casey Blake did his best Bill Buckner impression. With the bases loaded, Ben Francisco hit a sure double play ball to Blake, which went right through his legs, allowing two runs. This didn't help Broxton, as the DP could have made the difference in the game.

Carlos Ruiz then came up and and crushed a hanging slider, scoring the the tying and winning runs.  Brox faced five batters and retired none of them.

Broxton's has had a rough two month stretch. Since June 27, he has an era of 7.94. Joe Torre wouldn't say whether Jonathan Broxton will continue to be his closer.

"Let the smoke clear before you get me to say something I haven't thought about. He's a big boy, he'll be all right. Long-term, I'm not worried about him."

I think it would be a huge blow to Broxton's development to take him out of the closer's role now. In a season that is already lost, let him figure out his problems on the field. Yes, Hong-Chih Kuo has been amazing. Kenley Jansen hasn't been too bad either. But we all know about Kuo's elbow and how often he should be used. Jansen is still too raw. The Dodgers are out of the playoff race in 2010, so why make a change now? If this continues with Broxton in 2011 though, I'm all for change.

The NL Finally Wins An All-Star Game.

After 13 straight All-Star Game losses to the American League, the National League finally get's a win at the Midsummer Classic.  A three-run double from Braves catcher Brian McCann in the seventh inning gave the NL the lead. And that was all they would need, as they went on to win 3-1.

Four Dodgers made the NL team, Andre Ethier, Jonathan Broxton, Rafael Furcal and Hong-Chih Kuo. Let's see how they did.

Andre Ethier went 1 for 2  with a single in the fifth inning off of Justin Verlander. Rafael Furcal walked in his only at bat. Hong-Chih Kuo gave up one unearned run, the only American League run. And Jonathan Broxton finished the game, striking out one and earning the save. Not bad at all.

The National League now has home field advantage in the World Series. I hate this rule, but that's just the way it is. Hopefully, the Dodgers make it that far.

Kuo Is An All-Star...Great

Hong Chih Kuo is now an All-Star. Kuo will replace the Braves' Jason Heyward in Anaheim. Heyward was placed on the 15-day disabled list for a bruised thumb. He joins fellow Dodgers Andre Ethier, Jonathan Broxton and the recently added Rafael Furcal in Anaheim.  Kuo is 3-1 with a 1.03 ERA  and is the first All-Star to have been born in Taiwan.

I can't tell you how much I hate this. I hope National League manager Charlie Manuel doesn't use either one of the two Dodger pitchers. I'm especially concerned about Kuo, who's had four elbow surgeries, and should be resting during the All-Star break. I know it's an honor to be selected to the All-Star team...blah blah blah. The last thing the Dodgers need is for this guy to get hurt.

So congratulation Mr. Kuo. I hope you don't see a minute of playing time in Tuesday's game.