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Now is Not the Time for Post Mortems But check back in a few days. I’ll have plenty of bleep to shovel then, trust me, but for now let’s focus on the positive. The Los Angeles Dodgers beat the San Francisco Giants to win the West and took a postseason step forward unmatched in sixteen years. They got rid of both Fox and Kevin Brown. That outta be enough right there. Thankfully, there was more. There was Cesar Izturis and Alex Cora, Jose Lima and Eric Gagne. There was Adrian Beltre’s MVP play, accounting for arguably the greatest all-around season in L.A. Dodger history. There was Jayson Werth, Steve Finley, Robin Ventura, and four months of Dave Roberts and Paul Lo Duca. A great bench and a wonderful bullpen, both easily retainable for another year. 53 Big Dodger comeback victories. A green general manager doing the best he could as fast as he could, making a bunch of neat moves and one really bad one. A manager thoroughly rising to every challenge. And the replacing of an evil empire ownership group with the best man on the job since Walter O’Malley (that’s no knock at Peter O’Malley…or maybe it is). Most importantly, Los Angeles became the Dodgers town again, big-time, with the loudest, rockingest fans in city history. A sign of good things to come. But like I said, check back in a few days for a serious gripefest, and a complete list of suggestions. 2004 was also a turning-point year for this publication. We’re grateful. BaseballSavvy.com sends its best wishes and sincere thank yous to the readers, and to those who supported us in other ways. Special thanks to our high-ranking Dodger source, and to Tom Hoffarth, Larry Stewart and “Good Day L.A.” After a short decompression period, we’ll keep you going through the winter, coming back as fresh and improved as the 2005 Dodgers. At least… With 20 weeks till position players report to Spring Training, and at two to three sessions of therapy per week, 40-60 total, Milton Bradley has a real opportunity to get well. Let’s hope he takes it. The most relevant knock at Jim Tracy is that he never argues. Ever. Perhaps a little anger management for the skipper too… A buddy and I waited out the traffic after the final out of 2004 by sitting in the loge until we got the boot. Some fans were swiping the 4 by 6 foot player banners from pillars around the inside of stadium, and since security was cool with it, my friend thought he’d treat me to Darren Dreifort. At first I balked, but thought I’d try to sell it online here. So fans, this one-of-a-kind, soon-to-be plywood mounted Darren Dreifort is already on waivers and yours for the taking. $55 million or best offer... Notice the name of the losing pitcher in the deciding game of the Minnesota - Yankees series? Yup. Kyle Lohse… Anaheim? Don’t care… The Atlanta Braves really need to go away. Really, really, far, far away. The city of Atlanta cares less about the Braves then I do about the Angels. The Braves care less about the Braves then I do about the Angels… If Tony La Russa wins a championship in his second league, he just might go from being the most overrated manager of his generation to a Hall of Famer. If not, he goes right back to being simply the guy who gave baseball…drum roll please…the pitcher batting eighth… Statue for Sandy: There are only blue states, OK, so please Vote Yes on 32. With next year being the 50th Anniversary of the Dodgers only World Championship in Brooklyn, perhaps there’s extra incentive. Whichever. We’ll continue our campaign to enshrine Sandy Koufax in bronze at Dodger Stadium during the offseason and keep you posted along the way… Rest in peace, Cammy. Love to the family…
Remember, glove conquers all....
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