Managing Better With Less

I have been calling for Don Mattingly's job now for about a year and I feel I have had justifiable reasons. A bigger payroll than Wal-Mart, a ton of talent, and the best starting pitching in baseball are just a few of the reasons the Dodgers should be running away with the National League West. If I have noticed one thing about Don Mattingly's managerial style over the past couple of years it is that he seems to manage better when he has less talent on the field. When Mattingly has to make the pieces fit and somehow work, it brings out the best and more creative manager in him. The left side of the infield over the course of the past three weeks has been a combination of Jeff Turner, Miguel Rojas, Jamie Romak, and Carlos Triunfel with an occasional guest appearance thrown in by Hanley Ramirez and the Dodgers are 13-6. Outside of Hanley Ramirez,three rookies (I am not sure about Triunfel) and Mets castoff Turner, none of them a household name. Scott Van Slyke and Drew Butera have played key roles off the bench. Mattingly seems to have a better feel as to when to use the lesser players as starters and off the bench rather than roll the superstars out there and watch them play.

Jamie Romak Gets The Call

Jamie Romak was recalled by the Los Angeles Dodgers the other day after being on a minor league oddysey that lasted 12 seasons with 5 different organizations. Romak was originally drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 4th Round of the 2003 draft. He has played in over 1000 minor league games and has 4300 at bats, with over 150 homeruns. He has 13 homeruns with Albuquerque this season and has shown some pop in his bat throughout his minor league career. I believed that the Dodgers would call up Outfielder Joc Pederson but Romak offered more versatility being able to play the oufield and the infield corner positions. Romak got his first career at bat against the Cincinnati Reds and has played in three games so far with 2 at bats and no hits. You have to pull for a player that has put in that kind of time in the minors and finally gets the call.