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The Top 5 Dodger Moments of 2015 So Far
May 1, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers center fielder
Joc Pederson(31) reacts with right fielder
Andre Ethier(16) after hitting a grand slam home run in the second inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Every Dodger season has its ups and downs. The Dodgers may be in a slight slump after losing three of their last four games with little to no offense to boot, but this season has been chock full of big hits and comeback wins. This Dodger team has been one of the most offensively productive early season teams in history, and it has truly been a team effort with different heroes each night.
The Dodgers have been doing all of this despite devastating injuries to Hyun-jin Ryu and Brandon McCarthy as well as a slow start to the season from the reigning N.L. M.V.P. Clayton Kershaw. The Dodger bench is as good as I’ve ever seen it, and there are some fascinating rookies to watch along with veterans who are playing like they are young again.
While there has already been many memorable moments so far this season, a few have stood out as extra special. Let’s take a look at the top 5 Dodger moments of 2015…so far.
Next: On to slide two
May 7, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers catcher
Yasmani Grandal(9) celebrates in the dugout after hitting a 3-run homer in the ninth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park. The Dodgers beat the Brewers 14-4. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
5. Yasmani Grandal Drives in Eight Runs with two homeruns against the Brewers in Milwaukee.
Peanut butter and apples.
When Andrew Friedman and Farhan Zaidi traded Matt Kemp for Yasmani Grandal this offseason, it was perhaps one of the most hotly contested and analyzed trades in Dodger history. Losing the one-time Dodger franchise player Matt Kemp to their N.L. West competitors in San Diego seemed costly. It not only was costly financially, but it was negating some precious power from the right side as well for the Dodgers. Yasmani Grandal had baggage, and many still question his past mistakes instead of giving him the chance to start a new chapter in his career with Los Angeles.
The Dodgers have been hard pressed to find a solid catcher for many years, and I should not have to remind you of Drew Butera, Miguel Olivo, Jason Phillips, Rod Barajas, Tim Federowicz, Dioner Navarro amongst others. Yasmani Grandal’s excellent frame pitching and power potential should not only add an advantageous layer to the Dodgers pitching staff but also some much-needed production from the catching position.
Next: Last slide
May 7, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman
Adrian Gonzalez(23) drives in two runs with a base hit in the third inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
He’s not a homerun hitter.
4. Adrian Gonzalez hits monster homerun off the scoreboard at Miller Park.
Adrian Gonzalez’s torrid start to the 2015 was historic, and he was absolutely crushing balls at an amazing rate. Gonzalez has been the quiet and steady M.V.P. of this team behind Clayton Kershaw since he was acquired from Boston. Even though Ned Colletti might not get exactly glowing reviews from a lot of Dodger fans most of the time, that blockbuster trade between the Dodgers and Red Sox netted the Dodgers one of the best first baseman of our generation.
The homerun Gonzo hit in Milwaukee was an absolute moon shot. The Dodgers might not have Hanley Ramirez to hit humongous homeruns anymore, but Gonzo and the rest of the revamped lineup are making up for Hanley’s absence and have added even more long balls than I could have ever imagined in this early part of the season.
Butter and eggs. All day. Every day.
Next: Last slide
3. Scott Van Slyke’s Walk-Off Homerun reflects the depth of this 2015 Dodger team.
It wasn’t long ago that Scott Van Slyke was designated for assignment to make room for relief pitcher extraordinaire Skip Schumaker. Scott Van Slyke has become one of the most potent bats for the Dodgers for the past two seasons, and his improved defense has also given him even more value.
Scotty may be silly in the Dodger dugout, but he is all bearded business on the field. He opened the 2014 season in Sydney, Australia with the first MLB homerun of the year, and he continued to provide power off the bench with some big hits including the dramatic walk-off homerun against the Miami Marlins at Dodger Stadium in early 2015.
Next: Last slide
2. Kenley Jansen Strikes Out 4 Batters in Comeback Inning made my eyeballs pop out of my head.
I had missed Kenley Jansen terribly this season. Even though Yimi Garcia, Paco Rodriguez, Pedro Baez and Adam Liberatore have all pitched well in relief for the Dodgers this season in his absence, Kenley’s dominance just cannot be replaced.
California Love was blaring from the Dodger Stadium speakers for the first time in 2015, and Kenley came into the eighth inning with his game face on. It was a comeback to be remembered. Jansen only made 14 pitches on his way to collect his four strikeouts against the Rockies. 13 were for strikes.
That beautiful cutter is back.
Next: Last slide
May 1, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers center fielder Joc Pederson (31) hits a grand slam home run in the second inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
1. Joc Pederson’s Grand Slam makes me scream.
I had been waiting for the Dodgers to hit a grand slam for a long time. Yasiel Puig‘s rookie season grand slam in 2013 was the last time we saw a grand salami from a Dodger, and the drought finally ended thanks to 2015’s Rookie of the Year contender Joc Pederson.
The Dodgers had been notorious for choking with the bases loaded in 2014 hence the lack of grand slams in the season, but in 2015 the bases loaded curse seems to be lifted. At least for now. It was just the 15th time in MLB history that a rookie hit a grand slam. Former Dodger Rubby De La Rosa gave up the big hits in the 8-0 shutout against the Diamondbacks.
All sorts of feelings.
Other notable moments: Clayton Kershaw notches 100th career win, Guerreromania, the Dodgers swept Seattle on Jackie Robinson Day, Matt Kemp and Dee Gordon return to Dodger Stadium, Justin Turner and Scott Van Slyke continue to mash, Howie Kendrick and Jimmy Rollins shore up the middle infield, Andre Ethier has five hits in one game, Zack Greinke has lost just one game this season, Brett Anderson brings outs and rain to Southern California, the rookie Yimi Garcia and the bullpen have been much improved, and Vin Scully graces us with his beautiful voice this season.