1988.  Perhaps the most memorable year for the avid L.A. sports fan.  It was the year the Lakers made good on Pat Riley's promise of a REPEAT, and the Blue would bring home the World Series in an improbable triumph over the A's in 5 games.  20 years .  Seems like yesterday  huh ?  Can this year be a repeat of 1988?  I'm not betting on it.  But, speaking of '88, it was January 30th, 1988, that the Dodgers, after consecutive 73-89 seasons, would land their first free-agent in 8 years, a gung-ho, all-hustle, scruffy looking outfielder with a football mentality with a big bat but a weak throwing arm.  Captain Kirk, aka, Kirk Gibson, would sign for 3 years and a little over $4 million ( Remember, this was 1988 folks....) to help restore the glory the Blue once coveted.  He would also make it clear that he was here to win and all slackers would have to answer to him.  This would be evidenced by the now  famous eye-black incident when relief pitcher Jesse Orosco, acquired from the Mets, placed the black stuff in the rim of Gibsons hat, placing a huge black mark on his forehead, causing his teamates to fall-off once he took his hat off.  When realizing what had happened, Kirk went ballistic, goin' off on everyone, looking for the **** who put the eye-black on his hat.  From that day , the players knew that Gibson wasn't gonna take anyones s*** .   The now famous eye-black incident, as we would later witness, would set the tone for a magical 1988 season.

This is the first of hopefully many moments to come in celebration of THE GREATEST SPORTS YEAR IN L.A, 1988.  As we celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the L.A. DODGERS, this year is also a celebration too of the greatest season in L.A. SPORTS history.  As always, let's hear your stories, and feel free to toss me some ideas as well. 

Hello everyone .  It's been a while since I've been around theses parts.  First off, my condolenses to the Dodger family and to the Podres family as well for the loss of Johnny Podres.  Johnny was the Opening Day pitcher for the Dodgers when Dodger Stadium opened for the first time in 1962 and was the winning pitcher for the Blue in game 7 of the 1955 World Series against the Yankees, the only World Title ever won in the franchises history in Brooklyn.  RIP Johnny Podres.

As for the 2008 season, many of you all know by now that this upcoming season is the celebration of the 50th anniversary of Dodger baseball in L.A.  And of course, the Blue Crew started things off by being the 1st ever MLB team to have a float in the Rose Parade.  This year will be a year of many reflections from past glory, and also many new faces. 

One of the new faces we are looking forward to here is the presence of new skipper Joe Torre.  After 12 seasons as the skipper for the Yanks, amassing 4 World Titles and guiding  the Yanks to post-season play during each season under his reign, hope is high that Torre will restore glory back to the Ravine.  One of the things fans will be looking to is how Torre will be able to bridge the gap between the vets and the young ones, an obvious rift that many felt contributed to the Dodgers late season collapse in '07.   Torre also brings with him on his coaching staff Larry Bowa and former Yankee legend Don Mattingly, both of  whom were under his belt in New York. 

As for off-season player acquisitions, the addition of Andruw Jones from the Braves adds a legitamit power hitter to the lineup that lacked the punch in '07.  With the addition of Jones and his presence in Center Field, Juan Pierre is expected to move to Left Field, leaving Right Field up for grabs between Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp. 

Also looming in the air is whether Nomar Garciaparra can regain his power stroke and will he be the full-time starter at third, or keeping the position warm for Andy LaRoche.  The starting pitching staff from 1-3 looks good, with Penny and Lowe anchoring the top 2 spots and Chad Billingsley occupying the 3rd .  I am a little concerned about the 4 and 5 spots with Esteban Loaiza coming off the DL and being knocked around during the stretch run, and Hiroki Kuroda unproven.  If Loaiza can come back to his earlier form and Kuroda can prove he is worthy of Major League pitching, this could be one of the best pitching staffs in the NL West.  The bullpen is could be the deepest part of the roster, with Beimel, Broxton, Proctor, and  Kuo expected to return  , and  led by of course by Takashi Saito.  So, even though it's early, here is my projected Opening Day lineup

1. SS Rafael Furcal

Early season ankle injury slowed him down last season, taking some of his '06 power away, but should be back to form.

2. C Russel Martin

One of the saviest catchers in the game today

3. CF Andruw Jones

In spite of an off 2007 season, is expected to hit 30 plus home runs to an power-challenged lineup

4. 2B Jeff Kent

Looking to finish his career on a high-note.  Could still bat clean up and hit over 20 home runs

5. 1B James Loney

Break-out season power wise ? 

6. 3B Nomar Garciaparra

One of the best clutch hitters in the game saw his power numbers drop drastically in '07. 

7. RF Andre Ethier/ Matt Kemp

This will be interesting who wins this spot

8. LF Juan Pierre

Still one of the best base-stealers in the game with a great work ethic, on-base percentage and lack of power, especially with Kemp and Ethier potentially battling for playing time, could be an issue

And the Opening Day starter

P  Brad Penny

Can this be the year Brad Penny brings home the Cy Young ?