The Torch Has Been Passed

Who doesn’t like to be around a guy who always smiles, never complains, and is just a fun and outgoing person? The Dodgers had that guy from 2015 until 2020, when they won the World Series. He was the “Banana Man” – namely Kike Hernandez! The Dodgers have a history of having some characters in the clubhouse: Jay Johnstone and Jerry Reuss were also right there with Kike. The fact is that the Dodgers missed Kike’s personality and craziness in the clubhouse as much as they missed his RH bat. Hernandez was a key role player and cheerleader for the 2020 Dodgers who won it all, as well as a potent RH power bat.

Stats and analytics do not and cannot capture all of the value of a player. Kike Hernandez’s career batting average is .241, and in 9 MLB seasons, he has 92 HR in 2658 Plate Appearances and has a career OPS of .744. He plays just about every position and has the late for the dramatic. Oh, and he has very good power. Kike left the Dodgers because the Red Sox offered him a much more lucrative deal, presumably to be a regular. The Dodgers missed his bat and clutch hits, to say nothing of his defense, but I think the biggest thing the Dodgers lost was a guy who kept the team loose!

I miss Kike. I liked the energy, the versatility, the power… and the craziness. I think the team was kept looser by Kike’s antics. Every team can use a guy who can keep the team loose and the Dodgers did not have THAT GUY in 2020. The 2020 Dodgers missed Kike. That’s the bigger deal.

Enter Hanser Alberto. So, what’s your job, Hanser?

“My job is to keep the clubhouse and dugout loose and keep guys ready. They’ve allowed me to be myself and joke around with everyone and do the things I’ve always done. That’s what’s been so great.” 

That is exactly why Andrew Friedman signed Alberto, well that, and he also knew that Alberto was a great teammate, as he was beloved by his former teammates because of his outgoing and fun personality, to say nothing of his dancing in the dugout with teammates. Well, that, and he kills LHP and holds a career .330 batting average against the dreaded lefties.

I think Friedman thought about re-signing Kike, but in the end, Kike wanted to be a starter… he was done with the utilityman role. You can’t blame him. Boston gave him over 500 ABs last year… most of them at 2B and CF. He still played more than one position, but he certainly was a regular. Right about now, the Red Sox are 7-9 and Kike is hitting a buck eighty! Ouch!

The Dodgers have passed the torch of “Official Dugout Dancer & Head Cheerleader” to Hanser Alberto – he doesn’t have the power in his bat that Kike did, but he will likely hit .300 against LHP and few ABs against RHP. I think he gives the Dodgers a quality bat against tough lefties. He doesn’t like to walk, but he rarely strikes out. He is not one of those “three clear option” players. When runners are on base, and he is at-bat, they had better be ready to move!

His best season was in 2020 with Baltimore. Here are some highlights, and I am glad we now have a looser clubhouse and dugout. There is no stat for it, but it is a “thing.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AFIbq7qhAg

Denzel Washington Visits Dodger Clubhouse

Update on Mark Kertenian

From Mark (yesterday):

“I am absolutely FLOORED by the love and sharing.

You, my family, teammates, friends, co-workers, and even those I’ve yet to meet, have made it possible to continue, and add to, the treatment course. YOU are a collection of answered prayers. I am humbled by your kindness and picture the hard work, care, and selfless grace behind every penny, prayer, and thought sent.

My brother Bryan, John Murphy, Danny Schreiber, Kyle Chelsvig and many Dodgers staff have successfully constructed an improbable move overseas and into treatment through severe conditions. And now this from you. What you have done I can never forget and my prayer to God, who is very real, is that I can soon be in a position to help you all in some meaningful way. – Mark“

NOTE: So far, they have raised $116,000 of the $150,000 needed.

Dodger News & Notes

• Bobbly Miller had another bad outing yesterday. Actually, he was beaten like a rented mule. That doesn’t worry me as much as his attitude. I have heard that he thought he should be in AAA, not AA, and is peeved about that. I can’t confirm if that is true, but if it is, that’s a harder issue to deal with than mechanics. Bobby, Bloom where you are planted!
• I am not pronouncing Cody Bellinger back to his MVP status, but he is progressing to the point of where it is no longer in his “head.” I think it’s time to get it out of yours as well.
• It is easy to see that McKinstry is a ballplayer on the DP he turned to end the game. Many players would have been indecisive on how to do it and botch at least one out!
• The Dodgers will generally feast on “strike throwers” like Manaea.
• Tommy Kahnle must be close – he pitched a scoreless inning in OKC Last night. Duplantier pitched 2, and Fulmer pitched 1.
• Jacob Amaya, Mike Busch, and Andy Pages continue to be “red-hot.”
• Great Lakes are the Classic Underachievers for the Dodgers Minor League Systems this year. They are 5-10 and should be the inverse! The only problem they have is that they can’t pitch and they can’t hit. Otherwise, they are fine.
• I forgot to mention Reyes Moronta in my bullpen piece yesterday. He is an experienced arm in the pen and has something like a career 2.65 ERA. He is a big boy!
• On to the D-Bags tonight… as Striker Buehler attempts to right his ship.

Lethbridge Dodgers: All-Time Team

Lethbridge Dodgers: All-Time Team