Dodger Blues

So far so good, in what can be considered an off-season full of questions Ned might have answered at least one question. While the signing of Bill Mueller may be an immediate solution at third base, one has to wonder what the future holds. Keep in mind Mueller turned thirty five during spring training. Don't get me wrong, he's a gamer. He appears to be everything that is expected out of a veteran ball player. However, one has to wonder if he will be able to keep it up.

My skepticism is not unfounded. Shortly after Mueller turned 35, I turned 32. For as long as I can remember third base has long been a problem position for the club since the Penguin left for the Windy City. In the time since, the hot corner at the ravine has played host to a number of distinguished name along with some not so distinguished.

Class acts such as Bill Madlock and Tim Wallach. While both had been bench marks on their respective clubs, both were also in the twilight of their careers when they arrived at Stadium Way. Madlock was 34 in 1985 and five years removed from his .341 batting title winning season. Wallach was 35 when he arrived in 1993 three years removed form his last solid year with the Expos.

Madlock's three seasons in blue were nothing special. The best he could muster was .280, 10 bombs, and 60 RBI in 1986. Of his four seasons in blue, Wallach's sophomore season was the only one of note. Showing flashes of old, he hit .280, 23 bombs, and drove in 78 runs. He never again came close to matching those numbers.

The 1997 season began with a huge up-side. In came Todd Ziele at 31, in the prime of his career. Ziele went on to have a very productive season. While only batting .268 he managed to hit 31 bombs and drove in 90 runs. Problem solved right? Wrong! Instead of building on Ziele at third, he was promptly shipped-off to the Marlins who shipped him to Texas. Amazingly, Ziele the consummate pro, still had a productive season batting .271 with 19 bombs and 94 RBI. Just imagine if he had stayed in blue.

Back to square one. This time around, the club decided to build from within. Thus dawned the Adrian Beltre era. At times it appeared that all our troubles were over for the next ten years. In his first full season in the show, he hit .275, with 15 bombs and 67 RBI. All at the ripe old age of 20. A true break in recent Dodger third base tradition. Not since Ron Cey patrolled the line had there been so much optimism about our stability at third. Beltre had an even better sophomore season batting .290, with 20 bombs, and 85 RBI. Surely this time we thought the problem had been solved.

In subsequent seasons, Beltre launched 21 and 23 bombs, but batted .257 and .24o along the way. Oddly enough, in his all important contract year he finally put it all together. What an amazing year. Beltre batted .334, led the senior circuit with 48 bombs, and drove in 121 RBI. As we all know, Beltre packed his bags and set-off to the Mecca of Grunge. Who new he was all about coffee and Cobain.

In came 35 year old Jose Valentin. Poor Jose, who knew his weary bones wouldn't hold up past opening day. Perhaps the fact that he was born in the summer of love should have been some indicator. Which brings us back to Mueller. Since 1982 third base has been a revolving door at the yard. For every one of the aforementioned ball players who did themselves justice in Dodger Blue, there were those who were plain and simple mistakes. It pains me to recall names such as Jeff Hamilton, Mike Blowers and Bobby Bonilla.

As of this evening Mueller was batting .323, with two bombs, and 13 RBI. He is now three years removed from his stellar 2003 season in which he won a batting title hitting .326, with 19 bombs and 85 RBI. Consequently, that was his last .300 season.