The Trolley Dodger

Congratulations to the St. Louis Cardinals on their amazing run to become the 2011 World Series Champions. While I was rooting for the Rangers (and, like last year, was thwarted ;) it was great to see Raffy Furcal celebrating last night, not to mention it was impossible not to be astounded by the never-say-die Cards. I guess the power of the Rally Squirrel is for real. ;D

I thought we were going to get past the Sunday trade deadline relatively unscathed with only a bittersweet goodbye to Rafael Furcal on his way to the Cardinals.

I saw his first at-bat last night, and while it was weird seeing him in red instead of blue, I have to echo one of the comments at Dodger Thoughts — I wish him well no matter what uniform he has on. He was one of my favorite Dodgers, and I’ll miss him.

Someone I’m missing in advance is AAA outfielder Trayvon Robinson, who was shipped off to Seattle in a complicated three-team affair yesterday. I watched Trayvon as far back as the Single-A 66ers. In fact, he played CF at the first 66ers Manny rehab game in 2009 we went to.

There have been cries of “Konerko!” and “Pedro!” about this trade, and I can understand why. However, I can’t get on the tar-and-feather-Ned-Colletti bandwagon just yet until we see what happens with who we got in return – there’s an old truism about trades not being gradeable until several years down the road. But whatever players these three turn out to be, I’m definitely worried about seeing Trayvon excelling in a Mariners uniform some day and none of these guys ever again.

• Tim Federowicz – catching prospect
• Stephen Fife – RHP
• Juan Rodriguez – RHP

There’s also Alex Castellanos, who came back from the Raffy trade.

I don’t know if “it’s time for head games,” but somebody needs their head examined:

Asked whether the composition of the team is a reflection of the organization’s economic troubles, McCourt replied, “No.”

So, even if everything were OK, this is the kind of team you would field?

“Yeah, I think we have a very, very good team,” said McCourt, who took out a personal loan to meet last month’s payroll obligation.

[...]

McCourt said he is “very pleased” with how the Dodgers are performing on the field.

On September 18th this year, it will be the 5th anniversary of the famous 4+1 game, in which the Dodgers tied the score with four consecutive home runs, then beat the Padres in extra innings with a walk-off homer.

With Russell Martin no longer with the Dodgers, that means the five players (six if you count Kenny Lofton’s walk that represented one of the two runs in the 10th) involved in the 4+1 are gone.

1. Jeff Kent
2. JD Drew
3. Russell Martin
4. Marlon Anderson

and then Nomar Garciaparra. In fact, looking at the boxscore for that night, only Rafael Furcal, Jonathan Broxton, and Andre Ethier are still on the team.

Starting catcher for the Padres? Mike Piazza.

Yes, I know. Yes, I understand this is completely not going to happen. Yes, I know the innumerable reasons why this could never take place. Yes, I realize it would require creating a rift in the space-time continuum (or at least doing some horse-trading in the MLB 2011 video game). I get all that.

But a man can dream.

2011 Dodgers (daydream edition)

Starting lineup

• SS Furcal (S)
• CF Kemp (R)
• RF Ethier (L)
• 1B Konerko (R)
• LF Werth (R)
• 3B Beltre (R)
• C Martin* (R)
• 2B Theriot (R)

* or C Santana (S) if Martin is done.

Bench

• C Barajas (R)
• IF Casey Blake (R)
• IF Jamey Carroll (R)
• OF Gibbons (L)
• OF Podsednik (L)

Starting Rotation

1. Cliff Lee (L)
2. Kershaw (L)
3. Billingsley (R)
4. Padilla (R)
5. Lilly (L)

Relief

• Closer: Broxton (R)
• Setup: Kuo (L)
• RP Jansen (R)
• RP Troncoso (R)
• Long Reliever (R)
• Reliever (L)
• Reliever (R)