Dodgers fans find their favorite franchise in disarray with an uncertain ownership situation, and a team mired in fourth place, nine games below .500.
With a possible legal battle looming between owner Frank McCourt and commissioner Bud Selig, it’s possible the situation will continue to deteriorate before it improves.
Though things seem bleak for the club, there are still plenty of reasons to make the trip to Chavez Ravine to watch the boys in blue.
The emerging superstar: A Gold Glove winner and Silver Slugger recipient in 2009, Matt Kemp slumped last year finishing with a franchise-record 170 strikeouts and a .249 average.
So far in 2011, he’s turned it around.
Coming into Saturday’s game, Kemp leads the N.L. with 20 homers, ranks second with a .331 batting average, and is tied for second with 57 runs batted in. The 26-year old is fulfilling the promise that many envisioned when the Dodgers drafted him in the sixth round of the 2003 draft.
The kids are all right: Rookie Dee Gordon makes plays at shortstop worthy of the highlight reel nearly every night. The 5’11” Gordon weighs in at only 150 pounds, but has hit better than .300 in three of his four professional seasons. At 23 years old, if Gordon continues to improve, he could give the team stability at shortstop for years to come.
Fellow first year man, pitcher Rubby De Le Rosa has impressed in his five games with the big club. Batters are 10-for-53 against him, good for a .189 average. Last year he was named the Dodger Minor League Pitcher of the Year, and now at only 22 years old, De La Rosa might be here to stay.
Don’t forget budding ace, Clayton Kershaw. The youngest player in the Major Leagues in 2008, it’s easy to forget that the lefty with exactly 100 appearances to his credit is still only 23. Each of the last two seasons, he’s been in the league’s top ten in strikeout totals and he’s currently third this season.
Don’t forget Andre: Sure it’s easy to remember Andre Ethier’s 30-game hitting streak, the second longest in Dodger franchise history. Fans need to keep in mind that the right fielder continues to improve all facets of his game. A 2009 Silver Slugger, and 2010 All Star, Ethier is hitting .343 against right-handed pitchers this year.
No right fielder in the league posted a better fielding percentage than Ethier in 2008, 2010, and so far, this season. His six outfield assists this year tie him for third in the league.
Ethier also delivers in the clutch. His 11 walk-off hits tie him for third in Los Angeles Dodger history. All this comes from the former Texas League MVP who came to the team in exchange for Milton Bradley.
The ball park experience: With the McCourt divorce, the team’s poor play, and the Opening Day beating of Giants’ fan Bryan Stow, Dodger Stadium attendance is down.
The police presence is greater than it ever has been, complete with patrol cars roaming throughout the parking lots with their lights on. Everywhere you look there are uniformed officers inside the park. The second-oldest stadium in the National League is safe, and still a beautiful place to watch a ball game.
With attendance lagging, the promotions department is in high gear, offering among other things, six games with food and drinks at half price. Tickets can be picked up at well below face value on eBay and StubHub.
Bring your transistor radio so you can hear Vin Scully, eat a Dodger Dog, listen the sounds of Nancy Bea at the ball park organ, and it’s easy to remember that there’s nothing like taking in a game at Dodger Stadium.
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