The Dodgers have stuck together this season, which has not always been easy. When Manny Ramirez was suspended, Juan Pierre stepped up. Even Jamie McCourt stood behind Manny.
Heroki Kuroda who was arguably one of the best starting pitchers the Dodgers had, got hit in the head and had an injury that prevented him from being able to play in the first round of the playoffs. In comes Ned Colletti on his white horse with Vincente Padilla.
Chad Billingsly slipped down the stretch, so much so that Ned Colletti got back on the horse to find Jon Garland who was literally traded during a game at Dodgers stadium while he was sitting in the D'Backs dugout. Thankfully for Ned, the horse did not have to travel too far.
Most of the season, everyone held their breathe. Now after a sweep of the St.Louis Cardinals in the first round of the playoffs, we can breathe a little easier. There is still the nagging question for Joe Torre, you swept the Cubs last season and then lost to the Philly's in 5 games, so how do you get through the next round and on to the World Series?
I will tell you this, the kids are growing up. The Veterans are stepping up. And the chemistry in the clubhouse is making even the saltiest reporters smile. Why? Because this team believes they can win. And it's contagious.
Adversity can lead to victory, just ask anyone wearing Dodger blue. After a very tough 5 game slump at the end of the season, most people started to write them off, but they stayed positive. That is what Veteran leadership does for the younger crowd. "Been there, know that." Even when Manny wasn't hitting, he was lifting everyone up in the clubhouse.
It matters.
Now after all the adversity, the Dodgers move on and everyone is drinking the
Blue Kool-Aid.
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