Absolutely giddy this morning as the Dodgers are streaking, the Diamondbacks are slumping and the Giants are helping the Dodgers. The Dodgers have won 10 of 11. This comes on the heels of an eight game losing streak that seemingly buried Los Angeles….then something funny happened.
The Dodger winning streak has coincided with the departure of Jeff Kent from the LA lineup. The cantankerous one is a good second baseman and a certain Hall of Famer. But, a little of Kent goes a long way. He once told a Houston reporter, “my goal is to leave this game with no friends.” To which team-mate Jeff Bagwell responded, “he is well on his way.”
Ken’t abrasive style has rubbed the Dodgers the wrong way and alienated the younger Dodger players. With the addition of Manny Ramirez, who relates more with the youngsters rather than the BMX riding hunter, the Dodgers have taken off. Since Kent left the team with a balky knee the Dodger clubhouse has gone from mausoleum to Mardi Gras. Music blares after victories as frivolity reigns. This team no longer belongs to the Kent’s, Nomar’s and Penny’s it is the Loney’s, Martin’s and Kemp’s who rule this ship now. And, with Manny bridging the gap with his child-like fun demeanor the team has taken off.
The big question that remains. When Kent sets foot in that locker room, will the winning ways continue ? When you win 10 of 11 WITHOUT a player like Kent it begs the question. Has Jeff Kent been the problem all along ?
