Thank goodness we still have Juan Pierre!  I am thankful that Juan's consummate professionalism has kept him from demanding movement to another team, and management's wisdom in slating him as the 2009 starter in left field.

In my opinion, Juan is terribly undervalued, and many times overlooked as the top-shelf player (and, especially, person!) he is...

Look at his stats for a minute...see the list here: (http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/stats/individual_stats_player.jsp?playerID=334393&statType=1)

Of note:  from 2001 through 2007 he played in 156,152,162,162,162,162,162 games out of 162 possible (99%);  a .300 career average; 429 stolen bases; etc.etc.etc.

Durable, table-setter, game-changer, star...all apply to Juan Pierre in anyone's book! 

He is a liability in the outfield, you say...his arm is weak you say.  But in saying those things you may be overlooking that he is such a smart ballplayer...he takes great routes to balls, and he is faster than even WIllie Davis was!  Meaning, with his speed and smarts, he does not evidence defensive liability, and overcomes any lack of "cannoness" in his arm!

The Andruw Jones "experiement," the coming up of Matt Kemp, and that Manny guy made 2008 a difficult year for our hero.  The thing to notice here is Juan's reaction to all of the goings on in 2008!  Its not so much what happens to you, but how you handle it.

What a professional Pierre is! 

When given a chance to play, he was ready and played his heart out!  When he was benched, he did not run to the press and bark his dissatisfaction. No, the pro took it like a pro, and has now responded by reporting to 2009 Spring Training in tip-top shape, ready to play! 

Just read Juan's own words:

"Last year, it seemed the organization was going in another way, it wanted more power and I kind of feel I'm in the way a little," he said. "It's a tough spot for both sides. I think [a trade] would have helped both sides. It would have made sense. But I know the market changed last year. Other teams might not want me. Just be straight with me and I'm cool."

"I know the whole Manny situation. I'm a fan of baseball. It's a tough spot. For the betterment of the team last year I kept my mouth shut. The team was winning. Whatever they needed me to do, I did it. I really don't want that role again."

"God has a plan and if it's meant for me to be on the field, I will be," he said. "I talk to my parents. I'm still in a good situation. You see the economy. Guys like Garret Anderson and Orlando Hudson don't have jobs. I do, I have a uniform to put on and I'm grateful for that."

...like I said...a true professional and a real man!

Let's hope Dodgers management continues to recognize this star, and keep him on the field!  One guy (even the great Manny Ramirez) does not make a whole team, nor win a championship!  Juan Pierre and the gang are the guys that make up Team Dodgers...he (and they) deserve our attention, applause, and encouragment!

Go Juan...Go Dodgers!

(for my thoughts on Manny, go here: http://blue62.mlblogs.com/archives/2009/02/manny.html)

Over the winter break, Andre Either became eligible for, and requested salary arbitration.  Ethier, who received $424,500 last year without the leverage of arbitration, is seeking $3.75 million this year with the club offering $2.65 million.  This is an advisable and normal course of action for a young and rising star such as our Andre.

Either has it right, too!  Recently, he was quoted as saying "I would like to settle at a number that both sides feel fair, but it takes communication on both sides."

Wow!  What a spirit!  Luckily, the Scott Boras's of the world have not poisened the mind of Andre, and let's hope our hero protects himself in the future.

The spirit Andre demonstrates is all too often missing in the game today.  Although fans - like the author of this blog - are not privvy to details, and are left to look "through the glass darkly," there is no mistaking Either's intent, as seen in the following statement:

"It's just too bad it all has to come down to the 11th hour. It's sort of a game of chicken. I hope I can go into camp on a positive note instead of having this hanging over my head. It seems like a dumb way to set up the whole thing."  Did you catch it?  "...go into camp on a positive note..."

Again, Wow! 

Thanks Andre for having such a down to earth, humble, and "baseball" attitude!  You are concerned with the game...your game...your contribution to the Team...and...WINNING!

You, my friend, are a Fan's Delight! 

Suggestion for Dodgers' Management:  Forget guys like Manny, and caugh up a few bucks for the "old school" players you already have!  THEY will give us our championship!  Remember 1988!

Everybody is talking about Manny...

Rightly so.  Manny Ramirez possesses that rarest of talents - hitting baseballs...really well.  Without doubt, the last half of the 2008 season was truly fun!  Manny displayed that wonderful ability of his to make everyone and everything around him better...and more fun.

Yet, the question remains:  should the Dodgers stretch and sign this great player for the twilight years of his career?  Without the designated hitter rule?  For more money (even by percentage) than any player in Dodgers history?

Big questions.  Answers to these questions - if you read the comment traffic all over the Dodgers web sites - are chiefly emotional.  Some commenters are so emotional that they even express angry comments over the supposed lack of interest in the "fans" that the McCourts and Ned Coletti are demonstrating.

Nothing is farther from the truth, however.  The McCourts have done more for our franchise since Peter O'Malley retired!  They are simply wonderful owners for the Dodgers.  Why?  They treasure the historical force of the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers, but also have a vision for the future of the Dodgers...and the guts to make it happen!  A perfect combination!

Our General Manager Ned Colletti, too, is a rational thinker, and a very smart and capable baseball man.  He thinks with his head and not his heart, unlike so many of us fans.  The heart should inform the head, not command it...and we see this proper hierarchy in the actions of Dodgers management with regard to the signing of Manny Ramirez.

The two offers made to Manny have been just right.  The first - made during the team's exclusive period with the free agent - was to demonstrate to Manny that the Dodgers highly valued him, and wanted him back.  This two-year deal, with a third potential, was ingored by the player represented by Scott Boros (ah, the dark side of Free Agency!).  The second, and most recent offer, was a rich one-year offer.  Again, rejected by the player.

The Dodgers have gotten it right.  Manny Ramirez has only a couple of years left in the National League format (no DH).  It would be counterproductive for the Dodgers to go beyond two or three years with Manny.  And, as those with a fiduciary responsibility to the franchise, the McCourts and Mr. Colletti are proceeding in a highly responsible manner! 

A message to the fans:  Stop attributing to the McCourts personal greed as the motivation to NOT sign Manny...Where they live and what they do with thier fortune has nothing to do with the signing of Manny...they and thier capable General Manager are preceeding with excellent baseball wisdom!  If we get Manny, it needs to be with a measure of common sense and baseball wisdom!

By the way...have you looked at the rest of our Team for 2009?

Pretty darn good!

Go Blue!