This is directed at folks like Blue Zoo, VRP etc who I have agreed and disagree with over the years. I was thinking this morning as I was replaying Kemps home last night and started to think about forum discussions over the years. We have agreed and disagreed but I don't think any of us ever thought that on April 21 2012 we would be in first place with the best record in the NL and the second best in baseball. That we would have the best hitter in his prime and best pitcher still a few years from prime. We would have one of the top other players in their prime (DRE) and perhaps another top tier pitcher in their prime (Bills) and probably Ruby D when he comes back. Probably the best young closer in the game and best setup men in the game who are still all young and under team control. To top it off in a week plus FREAKING Stan Kasten will be running our baseball operations. I mean the man is a freaking legend is as well connected as anyone who gets along well with GM's and agents and the commissioner. A man who has the know how and resources to fill what ever holes we have. We may not need to wait til the trade deadline as deals are being made now. Marlon Byrd to the Red Sox probably etc etc. The days of giving up a Carlos Santan to save a few million are over. I mean guys pinch me but is this not heaven? All the discussions and disagreements about Kemp and whether to keep him have now been answered. I mean my God the Man Child plays for us. We have his little beastie brother Dre and we have what might be one of the best 1-2 punches pitching for us. Certainly CK is one of the couple best and in his prime unlike Doc Halliday etc. We have what may be the new young Bobby Cox in DBB to guide us for hopefully a long time and I believe we all feel comfortable and confident that Stan will make sure holes get filled and the farm system thrives. Pinch me, pinch you but can I get a hallelujah! We are the franchise we are the future of baseball we are the Los Angeles Dodgers.
It definitely just feels like a different team and vibe around this organization now. It's easy to just say it is early and the competition has been sub par, but the way they have played there just seems to be a confidence factor around this ball club that i have not seen in a long time. And it's not that we just got manny confidence so we got a shot this year. It's that, were a team that will be contending for years to come.
If Hamilton stays healthy and hits FA, bring him in. Casual fans take for granted the home grown excellence of Kemp and Kershaw somewhat. Getting Manny was huge more than just his talent. It was a ridiculously famous baseball player that was always in the spotlight, and he came to dawn the blue. Getting another ridiculously popular player with that talent IN ADDITION to the greatness we already have...man! That stadium would be rocking.
Good posts, all...as an old fan that goes back to the Brooklyn days, it hurts me to see those broad expanses of unfilled seats in DS. And yes, although we won't play this percentage BB for much longer, the new day has dawned. I think there are some teams who will savor their time before we do (like the Rangers), but the feeling is much better now, without Torre. I always felt he actually had a team that could have won, but misplayed it all into bridesmaid status. A couple of times...but this is a buliding feeling...like it's all coming togther...but the missing links must be put in place. and those fans must come back. This is the Dodgers, and our place in BB legend and history is somewhat besmirched, IMO, by those terrible attendances. It's just sad. Wasn't it, "We won't go back until Frank is gone and/or they start playing well again"...looks to me, they both have happened. I hope they start coming. It's gotta suck playing your heart out every night and looking up and seeing those crowds...only human.
kasten doesnt like to hand out huge free agent contracts. i wouldnt count on it. i could see an ichiro or tori hunter short deal rather than the huge deal hamilton will command. a stop gap that is both good and can bridge us to kids
