If you want to know the surreal feeling of reading a feature on Jonathan Broxton that isn’t shrouded in mystery, disappointment and skepticism, then saddle up for Dick Kaegel’s piece on the Royals’ new reliever at MLB.com.
Think, for example, how differently this paragraph would read if written by the Los Angeles press:
… Broxton got to some wonderful places with the Dodgers. He reached the postseason three times and it was his perfect ninth inning against the Chicago Cubs in 2008 that put LA in the National League Championship Series for the first time in 20 years. Twice he was named to the All-Star team and his save clinched the NL’s 3-1 win in 2010 in Anaheim. …
Of course, ignoring Broxton’s postseason disappointments is just as flawed as ignoring his successes always was, but my main point is just how different it feels to read a Broxton story that isn’t cloaked in depression, disgust or defensiveness. I, for one, could use the reboot.
And no matter your feelings on Broxton, the story’s ending should put a smile on your face.
… When Broxton finished his “B” game outing on Sunday, he did some running and then stopped to gather up his son Brooks in his arms. Broxton and wife Elizabeth just had a second boy, Blaine, on Feb. 1 so Brooks is the only ballplayer at the moment.
“My son’s probably going to fall right in my footsteps,” Broxton said. “He’s 2 and I can pitch to him right now and he can hit. It’s pretty awesome to watch, especially knowing it’s your kid out there and the ball’s not just sitting on a tee. You can actually move the ball around and he’ll hit it. It’s just pretty amazing to watch.”
Jonathan Broxton with son Brooks in 2009. (Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers)
Anonymous
Very nice. Gunna miss old Mongo.
Anonymous
For a second I thought the picture was showing him holding a two year old. Wow, I thought, he really is a giant!
Anonymous
If he were Derek Fisher, Bill Plaschke would have written a weepy column about him leaving.
Anonymous
Meanwhile from March 15 Seattle Times. “The lowlights were the pitching of relievers George Sherrill and Hong-Chih Kuo, who each gave up three runs to allow the Giants to rally, and an offense that got just six hits total.
Sherrill has historically struggled to get his breaking ball just right in the Arizona air, and that might have been the issue again tonight. He’s deemed pretty much a lock to make the team and has had some good outings earlier this spring. Kuo, though, has struggled throughout and now has a 14.29 ERA after allowing three runs on three hits in two innings. Control wasn’t the issue, necessarily, as he threw 19 strikes in 27 pitches. But obviously he wasn’t fooling anyone”.
underdog
Makes me sad. Since he’s in the AL especially, I was rooting for him to come back. One of my favorites. But it also seemed pretty clear that the Dodgers were, sadly, doing the right thing in not bringing him back.
underdog
I can’t read all of this but maybe you can. Buster Olney on Dee Gordon’s “All-Star potential”:
http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/blog?name=olney_buster&id=7700763&_slug_=los-angeles-dodgers-shortstop-dee-gordon-all-star-potential-mlb&action=upsell&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fmlb%2fblog%3fname%3dolney_buster%26id%3d7700763%26_slug_%3dlos-angeles-dodgers-shortstop-dee-gordon-all-star-potential-mlb
Anonymous
That’s a big man with a little kid. I’m rooting for Broxton and Kuo.
Jon Weisman
Dodgers announce that Vin Scully has chosen to no longer do road games in Colorado. Just home games plus road games in California & Arizona.
Jack Dawkins
On the road again, now seems a little less attractive…..sigh.
Anonymous
I concur :(
Anonymous
The first two trips to Denver start road trips that head farther east afterwards. The last trip is in August and it’s just for three games in the middle of a homestand. Logistically, it’s probably easier for everybody.
Issues like this to bring up this question for potential Dodger buyers. The TV rights are supposed to be the Golden Goose. But in 2014, it is not unlikely that Dodger TV broadcasts aren’t going to have Vin Scully as part of them. Without Vin Scully, do Dodger TV rights go from being “It’s Time for Dodgers Baseball” with Vin Scullyisms and looks back to the team’s glory years or do they just become Angels broadcasts with only slightly less annoying announcers.
Jon Weisman
I think it’s true that the Dodger broadcasts will become a lot more ordinary, but I don’t know how much that will translate into decreased ratings – especially given the decline that already occurred in 2011.
Jon Weisman
NPUT
James Ashenhurst
I miss Broxton. Will never forget that inning against the Cubs. Good times.