A Comeback!

Just as it appeared the Dodgers would fall again and suffer another grating defeat, an unlikely hero emerged before the 27th out could be recorded.  

Russ Mitchell, who many of us have been eager to see jettisoned back to Albuquerque, homered off Chisox closer, Sergio Santos, in what proved to be the first run he had allowed all season.  Mitchell, who up to that moment had only managed a squib single over 14 at bats, belted Santos’ 2-2 fastball just inside the left field foul pole.  An inning later, the Dodgers mounted an offensive attack against Santos that resulted in 3 more runs as they closed out the victory in the 10th inning.

This was probably the biggest win of the year so far and most dramatic.  I'm happy for Russ who now will be locked in our memories of Dodger lore for that clutch homer.  It's great to see the kid's hard work pay off. Let’s hope that the Dodgers get on a role and are able to get their offense off and running.  Below is a photo sequence of the dramatic homer with two outs in the ninth inning.

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Andre went Ape Over Camera Clicks

You’re kidding us, right Andre?  He went off on the press over camera clicks?  That’s the kind of thing that makes me laugh at golfers.  It wasn’t 4 or 5 years ago that I watched a news clip of Tiger Woods going ballistic over someone that snapped a photograph of him while he was taking a swing at the ball.  Apparently that little camera click ruined his concentration.  He literally called the guy out, embarrassed him publicly and had a PGA official have the guy removed from the golf course.

So Ethier flipped out over too many camera clicks.   Yet, he seems to be fine when performing before 50,000 screaming fans dealing with 100 MPH heaters, change ups, curves, cutters, spiltters.  No loss of concentration when facing all that.

And then, knowing full well that there are PHOTOGRAPHERS present, TAKING PICTURES of him, he gives them the international peace sign.  Both hands, mind you.  Well at least Andre showed some versatility there.

I know many think this whole episode is much ado about nothing.  “So he flipped the bird,” they’ll say.  “what’s the big deal?”  Well, it isn’t what he did that bothers me, it’s the poor judgement in doing it before a sea of photographers knowing full well that a segment of the population is going to get offended by it.  It is the poor judgement that is bothersome.  It’s not like he was going to get away with it.  He had to know that.  

Tell them off, but don’t give them ammunition to post in the newspapers and on the web.  Now those photos will forever follow Ethier around.  Every time he loses his temper or shows his hot-headed side, those photos will appear.  They can’t be undone.

Is this a tactic by Ethier to work his way off the club?   I have to wonder.  First he made those ridiculous statements on the eve of opening day stating that he thinks he’ll be non-tendered at the end of the year, and now this.  Andre sees the direction that the club is heading and probably wants out to a contender.  These types of events that occur are the fallout of having an owner that is broke and a fan base that is losing patience.

I hope that this episode was isolated and that the Dodgers run off a winning streak that makes us forget the whole thing.  Tonight's win was the kind of victory that they could build on and accomplish that.