NewsSarah's take: Dodgers receiving due credit
Ethier, Hudson, Kemp take home postseason hardware
By Sarah D. Morris / Special to MLB.com
11/13/09 9:52 PM EST
While Dodgers fans still are coping with a second consecutive playoff loss to the Phillies, they finally received something to feel good about on Wednesday and Thursday. On Wednesday, Orlando Hudson and Matt Kemp were awarded Gold Gloves. On Thursday, Kemp and Andre Ethier were given Silver Slugger awards. I am glad that some Dodgers are getting recognition for having a great season.I think Kemp was the most improved player in the National League this year. Although he has been with the Dodgers since 2006, he hadn't reached his enormous potential until this year. He didn't play much baseball until his senior year of high school, so he hasn't had the best baseball instincts. His raw athleticism has made up for his lack of knowledge. In 2009, everything came together for Kemp.
Kemp almost became the first Dodger to hit .300, have 25 home runs or more, and steal more than 30 bases in the same season. The 25-year-old outfielder slumped a little in September, so he hit only .297, the highest on the Dodgers. He has learned how to read pitchers' moves well, so when he tried to steal, he was successful on 34 out his 42 attempts. He cut down on his strikeouts, making him a more powerful offensive force in the Dodgers lineup. He had three grand slams, tied for the second highest in the league.
Defensively, Kemp was brilliant in center field. His great defense helped to make the Dodgers pitching staff the best in the league. During the last off-season, Kemp worked hard on getting better jumps on fly balls. This was obvious. He sometimes still misreads fly balls, but his awesome speed covered up for his occasional mistakes. For the entire season, Kemp made two errors while having 14 assists.
Hudson provided the Dodgers with an excellent second baseman. His enormous range prevented many possible hits. He has a strong accurate throwing arm that enabled him to get many runners that most second basemen wouldn't. His quick, soft hands let him turn many double plays that would have been difficult for many other second basemen.
Many people thought Hudson wouldn't play baseball again after he badly dislocated his wrist in August 2008. However, Ned Colletti took a chance on him. In the first half, he was an offensive force for the Dodgers, and was selected for the National League All-Star team.
Hudson's aggressive style of play results in many bruises, and these bruises take a toll on his body. In the second half, he slumped. In September, he hit .237. When the Dodgers obtained Ronnie Belliard, Hudson's playing time decreased greatly. Though many sports talk shows said Hudson was not happy with the Dodgers anymore, his sunny demeanor never changed. He has said that he would like to return to the Dodgers, but that is doubtful with the club's uncertain payroll situation.
What can be said about Ethier that hasn't been said already? With 31 home runs, Ethier was the first Dodger to have 30 home runs since Adrian Beltre had 48 in 2004. He led the team with 106 RBIs. It seemed that when the Dodgers needed a late-inning hit, Ethier delivered. He led the Major Leagues with six walk-off hits, including an MLB-leading four walk-off homers that tied the Major League record also held by Jimmie Foxx (1940) and Roy Sievers (1957).
During Manny Ramirez's 50-game suspension, Ethier struggled a little while finding out that he could be the power hitter that the Dodgers needed. Coming up through the Oakland A's organization, Ethier was taught to have a good eye for the strike zone and have a high batting average. Most power hitters are free swingers. Ethier learned how to balance the required aggressiveness to have power while keeping an acceptable batting average and on-base percentage. By July, Ethier had learned what he needed to do to provide what the Dodgers must have to win their second straight National League West Division title.
Seeing Matt Kemp, Orlando Hudson, and Andre Ethier receive some recognition that they deserved makes me happy and excited about the 2010 season. Although the season ended with disappointment for the Dodgers, their fans must remember that some Dodgers had great performances. The Dodgers had a thrilling and memorable season.
Sarah D. Morris is the editor of Sarah's Dodger Place. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
