2010 Dodgers Preview: Third Baseman

By Raymond

Opening Remarks:

-I am holding with the 20.5 and the over for homeruns on James Loney, and that is firm.

-I looked into getting a print of the Willie Davis photo. Limited Edition 16" x 20" print is $1,250, plus $50 shipping.

-Vin is getting up there, and I have come to accept it. I notice the verbal miscues a little more now, and the story of his fall was scary. But I also realize that the man has been the voice of baseball for probably three generations of boys growing up. I have never known another voice, neither has my dad and if I had kids when I was young they would be used to Vinny too. But I accept that all the great must move on. I just hope and pray it happens gracefully.

-I am excited about the game we will attend in June, I already have a special pregame activity planned.

-And now on with the countdown.

 

Los Angeles Dodgers Third Basemen for the 2010 Season

 

The Starter: Casey Blake

 

Uniform Number: #23

 

Former Dodger to Wear #23: Derek Lowe. Let's get a picture of the Derek Lowe face up here for fun. Yea!

 

Bio/Fun Facts: He has always played either first of third base, except for a brief period in 2005 when he was bumped to right field for Aaron Boone. He was a four sport athlete in High School playing baseball, football, basketball and track. Best beard on the Dodgers and perhaps the best in baseball.

 

Strengths: A very good fielding third baseman, he has a little bit of pop so that is you make a mistake he can punish you sometimes. He does put the ball into play when he has to as he had 10 sac flies last year and on balls batted in play he gets on base about 30% of the time.

 

Achilles' Heel: Barbasol, Gillette Mach 3 Razors and sore hamstrings.

 

Best Third Baseman Now: I really have to go with Eva Longoria's brother Evan Longoria. I know a famous actress and a superstar third baseman all in one family…how crazy is that. I wonder if Evan and Tony Parker get real competitive at family get-togethers over their individual sports prowesses. Suffice to say Longoria may not be the ultimate hitting threat of some other third basemen out there, but he is a good hitter none the less (Steroid Free too) and if you really nerd it up, by the numbers he is the best fielding third baseman in the game even more then Adrian Beltre. So I think he is a safe bet for being the best.

 

Best Third Baseman Ever: There have been so many great men to call the hot corner their home that this is a hard subject to remain objective on. If you want to pick the best fielding third baseman you go with Brooks Robinson. If you want the best hitting third baseman you call on Mike Schmidt. But if you want a character. And man who defined toughness and drive and the spirit of how baseball should be played you go with George Brett. 3,154 hits, 665 doubles, and 317 jimmy jacks. Out of 11,624 at bats he struck out only 908 times, that is ungodly, not to mention an a career BA of .305 and career OPS of .857. And he gave us these two quotes: "If a tie is like kissing your sister, losing is like kissing your grandmother with her teeth out." And "I don't think I can play any other way but all out. I enjoy the game so much because I'm putting so much into it."

 

Wild Card: He is getting up there in years and he is going to need a day or two off a week to keep him fresh and healthy. Which is a good reason to have:

 

The Backups: Ronnie Belliard & Jamey Carrol which have already been covered.