The Trolley Dodger

Larry Harnisch at The Daily Mirror posted a clipping from the May 6, 1958, LA Times this morning, “Alston Isn’t Giving Up on Don Drysdale”. Fifty years ago to the day.

“Walt Alston isn’t giving up even a little bit on Don Drysdale, the 17-game winner of 1957 who became 0-5 last night as the Phillies drubbed the Dodgers 8-3 on the Coliseum greensward. [...]

“Working only two and a third innings, the 21-year-old right hander yielded five runs. He allowed three hits, walked three, wild-pitched twice, hit a batter and was guilty of a balk.”

First off, the word “greensward” needs more play nowadays. Secondly, that was quite a two and a third innings.

Drysdale finished 1958 with a record of 12-13 and an ERA of 4.17 — the worst of his career apart from the shortened 1969 season — and a WHIP of 1.351, also his worst. This was the first year in Los Angeles for the Dodgers, and they struggled, finishing 1958 in 7th place.

One year later, things were looking up.

Congratulations to our third baseman on his first career homer! :)

Oh, and a hearty “Way to go!” to the rest of our power-hitting lineup, who have a trio of homers so far in tonight’s game. :)

Except, he’s usually in right field and isn’t named Jones or Pierre.

Matt Kemp of the Los Angeles Dodgers named Bank of America Presents the National League Player of the Week:

Kemp led the National League with 11 RBI and six stolen bases and tied for the league-lead with 11 hits. The 23-year-old right fielder hit .407 (11-27) with four doubles, seven runs scored, a slugging percentage of .556 and an on-base percentage of .433. On May 2nd at Colorado, Kemp hit two 2-RBI doubles leading the Dodgers to an 11-6 victory and their seventh consecutive win. He recorded four multi-hit games and three multi-RBI games and hit safely in all six games played. This marks the first time that Matt has won weekly honors, and it is the first time that a Dodger has captured this recognition since Andre Ethier won in July 2006.

Interestingly, this award itself was the recipient of the “Double Meat Whataburger-with-Cheese Most Awkwardly Named Award Award.”

Nothing like some good months-early rumor mongering covering both coasts. MLB Trade Rumors points to a Boston Herald article on the subject, “Free to decide: Players on the open market”…

Now in the final season of a four-year, $36 million contract he signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers after the 2004 season, Lowe will be a free agent again in the fall. While there are already indications that the New York Yankees will be among Lowe’s suitors during the offseason, the pitcher will have a most obvious strength when it comes time to sit at the bargaining table: Durability.

And since he wouldn’t have to pitch in Coors Field, he’d be just fine, I’m sure. ;)

In the midst of an article on MiLB.com on prospects who have made the leap to the bigs, is this tidbit on Cory Wade:

Cory Wade, RHP, Los Angeles Dodgers

CALLED UP: Recalled from Double-A Jacksonville on April 24 when infielder Blake DeWitt was sent down.

DEBUT: April 24 in a 6-4 loss to Arizona. The last of four pitchers, he tossed one hitless inning, striking out one and hitting shortstop Stephen Drew with a pitch.

NOTES: Originally a 10th-round pick in 2004 out of Kentucky Wesleyan, Wade put himself on the Dodgers’ map in 2007 when he posted a 2.45 ERA at Class A Advanced Inland Empire and a 1.36 ERA at Jacksonville, striking out 100 in 99 innings while walking just 28 and limiting hitters to below a .200 average. His strong Arizona Fall League showing earned him a spot on the 40-man roster and made it easier to call him up from the Suns bullpen when an extra reliever was needed.