Dodgers 2009 Preview

From this picture it looks like Dodger phenom pitcher Clayton Kershaw is a magician. Throwing two balls at once. In reality, it's one of those photo ops that those camera guys hang around spring training for, snapping away with abandon.

Indeed, the Dodgers may need some more special effects to get through the 2009 season. Don't get me wrong, this is a very good team. But, it could be a great team. Or a mediocre one.

When I think about this year’s Los Angeles Dodgers, I keep hearing that old Bread song in my head. If. Because so much of their potential success in 2009 is dependent upon possibilities not certainties.

If Rafael Furcal and Orlando Hudson, who get injured more than Gerald Ford did during his presidency, can stay healthy.

If Matt Kemp can finally realize the potential that has been expected since 2006.

If first baseman James Loney can stop hitting into double plays.

If right fielder Andre Ethier can stop thinking about his hitting and just put the bat on the ball.

If Jonathan Broxton can finally accept and embrace the role of closer, which might mean that he needs to come into a ninth inning and consistently throw strikes.

If set-up guy Hong Chi-Kuo can somehow avoid a weekly Tommy John surgery.

If Chad Billingsley can become the team pitching ace and pretty much forget what happened last year against the Phillies in the playoffs.

If the fresh-out-of-teenage Clayton Kershaw can put it all together.

If the other young phenom hurler James McDonald can give anything to the team as a fifth starter.

If the returning Randy Wolf can get through one major league baseball season in one piece.

If Manny can continue his torrid hitting and stay off his cell phone while playing left field.

If the Dodgers can play 19 games versus both the Giants and Diamondbacks and miss hitting against Tim Lincecum and Brandon Webb as much as possible.

If, if, if.

So much about a baseball team’s success in a given season is serendipity. The almost perfect convergence of talent and luck at all the right places and all the right times. But, with the Dodgers, the melding of both needs to be spot on with no margin for error. The slightest deviation may be the difference between 92 wins and 75 wins.

Nevertheless, the return of Manny has energized the fan base all over again. One city's cancer has become another city's medicine. Sure, I'm aware that, in his final days in Beantown, Manny was a complete dirtbag. But, as I've written before, tumors only grow worse when there's a lot of toxic activity around them. And there are times when the Red Sox Nation fan base looks an awful lot like Three Mile Island to me. Manny's signed for two years and can opt out after the first year. But we should love while he's here, because Mr. Dreadlocks truly energized this team and city for two months last season. If he wants to shove anybody to the floor, I'll gladly volunteer.

The Dodgers in 2009 might be noteworthy for another reason. The scuttlebutt around SoCal is that this might be broadcaster Vin Scully's last season as the TV play-by-play guy. Another big if and a heartbreaking one for me.

What isn't a big if will be my attendance at 35 games on my season tickets. Scorebook on my lap. A Dodger Dog in my hand. Enjoying the most beautiful vista of any ballpark in the nation.

If only you could join me...

Dinner last night: Cervelat sandwich on sourdough roll.