Five Los Angeles Dodger Greats They Could Use Today
Tommy Lasorda
Last season the Los Angeles Dodgers were basically taken away from an inept owner and purchased by a powerful group with deep pockets. Since then, the proud, legendary franchise has traded for several necessary pieces and signed a few more.
While new first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, left fielder Carl Crawford and right- handed pitcher Josh Beckett are starting to pay dividends, there are several holes the Dodgers still have that could be filled.
With very productive shortstop Hanley Ramirez still on the disabled list and possibly the best fourth starter in any rotation in Zack Greinke now out for eight weeks, Los Angeles could certainly use a few more quality players.
Not that there is anything specifically wrong with some of the Dodgers’ position players, but could you imagine if L.A. were able to plug in a few of their former legends into the spots where they are struggling a little bit?
Third base has been a platoon situation with no one really stepping it up to claim the job full time. Same with second base and catcher, although Mark Ellis and A.J. Ellis respectively have done nice jobs.
The much heralded pitching rotation has taken a couple of hits to its health already and beyond Clayton Kershaw, it’s start-to-start with rookie Hyun-Jin Ryu and up and down Beckett.
Even though Don Mattingly is a beloved figure in baseball and a respected manager who will someday lead a team to a championship, wouldn’t it be fun to see Tommy Lasorda back in the dugout dealing with today’s scrutiny?
Let's step into fantasyland, put Tommy back in the skipper’s chair and bring up five Dodger greats to take those iffy spots. Perhaps that would put L.A. in the driver’s seat where they were projected to be before the season began.
Here are my choices of five Dodger greats who they could definitely use today.
Mike Piazza/Catcher
One of the greatest hitting catchers of all time, Mike Piazza would not only be a welcome player back to Chavez Ravine, but to the third or fourth spot in the batting order.
Don Drysdale/RHP
Don Drysdale was both consistent and dominant, and he would fit right in behind lefty Clayton Kershaw and before rookie Hyun-Jin Ryu.
Ron Cey/Third Base
There would be no reason to platoon journeymen at third base any longer if the Penguin were back in the Dodger lineup.
Orel Hershiser/RHP
Orel Hershiser would solidify the fourth spot in the rotation and would produce consistent zeros on the opponent’s box score just like he did in his best years with the Dodgers.
Davey Lopes/Second Base
Davey Lopes is a tremendous asset to have on the Los Angeles coaching staff, but just imagine if the second baseman were back in his familiar leadoff spot for the blue crew.
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