The strange, curious case of the missing Dodgers offense

Amelia Earhart. Stonehenge. The tans of "Jersey Shore."

Some mysteries in life just weren’t meant to be understood.

To the long list, we can now add: The Dodgers' offense.

Wow, once they were great. Like last season, when they led the National League in hitting.

This season it’s like a bunch of off-the-Strip impersonators. Particularly in the second half. Really, those are the same guys? Those are the Dodgers?

In the famous words of Tommy Lasorda, they couldn’t hit water if they fell out of a boat. Zombies masquerading as the Boys in Blue.

Hey, wake up! You’re supposed to be trying to rip the hearts out of the Giants, not going through the motions. In the last two games against ’Frisco (I like to write that just knowing it ticks off everybody up there) they’ve managed a total of two runs and five hits.

Which, sadly, is only continuing their downward offensive spiral.

"It's really kind of confusing and frustrating," batting coach Don Mattingly told The Times’ Dylan Hernandez.

You think? It may not surpass the mystery of how they built the Great Pyramid, but I’m thinking it’s a close second.

Take a look at these offensive stats for the Dodgers comparing their first half to their second.

What gives? It’s like that Pedro Cerrano character from "Major League" has a voodoo doll for every Dodgers batter. Only with a ton of pins.

"The second half, all of a sudden it goes the other way," Mattingly told Hernandez. "I haven't done anything different. I never try to change anything, as far as how to approach at-bats."

Hmm, could be it is the time to try something different. Certainly, the current approach ain’t working.

Meanwhile, this has been going on while the team pitching has actually improved in the second half. The staff ERA and hitting average against have gone from 4.09 and .252 in the first half to 3.68 and .229 in the second.

And the Dodgers were 49-39 at the break, and 23-35 since.

The offensive black hole is team-wide. Sure, they miss Manny Ramirez, or at last that facsimile of him.

But Russell Martin had continued his retreat before injuring his hip, Silver Sluggers Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier have regressed this season, James Loney has flatlined, Casey Blake has struggled and Rafael Furcal has battled injuries.

The newcomers have added little; Ryan Theriot is currently in an 0-for-26 skid.

Mix it up, and it’s one bad offensive recipe. One mysterious  disappearance.

-- Today’s Quote of the Day: OK, I don’t actually do a quote of the day feature, but this one was too good not to pass along. It comes courtesy of Eric Stephen at Truebluela.com, and he asks:

Could Matt Kemp steal on the Dodgers?

-- Steve Dilbeck

Comments

[Labeldude]

"I never try to change anything, as far as how to approach at-bats. First I like to have them take two down the middle. That make's them focus. That's when I like to see if they have any pitch recognition [sidebar - Kemp doesn't.] I try not to teach situational hitting because that just gets them thinking too much. Then I show them how to turn and deftly walk away from the plate after they swing and miss strike three, well, all except Blake because he usually takes his third strike."

[Labeldude]

"I try never to change anything either" said Joe Torre. "Well, except for the line-up everyday. I especially like sitting guys who've homered the day before. OK, that was back when they used to hit one, but I digress. I had a particular fondness for sitting Marty after he strung a decent couple games together hitting because it was much more important not to let Ausmus and Ellis get rusty-er than it was for Marty to keep something going. And I like my guys to hit anywhere in the line-up, except for professional hitter Casey Blake who always bats 3-4-5 because he's such a dynamo. Other than that, I really like using 4-5 relievers for the last 2-3 innings. Oh and my vets, God love 'em, why if I didn't have guys like Anderson, Sherrill and others like them to consistantly put in key situations, I don't know what I'd do. And the rail. I LOVE the rail." "And my ponies. I LOVE my ponies." "And the Yankees. Did I ever tell you any stories about when I managed the Yankees?"

[Joe the Plumber]

This is one reason why Mattingly should not be named Manager for next year. As bad as this session has been, the Dodgers sleep walking against the Giants means we have not hit bottom yet! The only good thing about this season is this blog Steve. Keep up the good work!

[Dodger Fan Livingin SF]

Every hitter on the Dodgers gets in a big hole at the plate 1-2 or 0-2. Im sitting at home watching these obvious basic baseball mistakes and I can't help but yell at the TV. It seems as if no one on the coaching staff is saying anything to these players. How can you know baseball and sit there and watch these fundamental mistakes without jumping off the dugout bench to set these guys straight? I thing the coaching staff thinks they are too good and accomplished to have to deal with fundamentals. I hope Torre never coaches a young club again because obviously he is a personality mender not a skills coach. I have not seen one of our coaches get in a players face all year. Torre will have plenty of friends on this squad but very little wins.

[Dodger Fan Livingin SF]

One move last night defined Torre's coaching ability:
George Sherrill pitching in the 8th inning in a 1 run game!!!!!!!

Torre maybe returning a favor to the Giants for helping his Braves in 1982.

[Nick]

Ehh..I think they know the season is over and just slacking off. I mean to them, what more is to play for if the playoffs are out of reach.

[skyharbor]

The Dodger offense reflects a thoroughly demoralized team and is now just an exercise in futility. I suppose Torre could call a team meeting....jump up on a desk and shout....."Lets win one for the Frankker!"

[Manny]

Miss me yet?

[Since '58]

The only thing that could cure this group is the off season. Getting away from the game and living with themselves. One can only hope. Dead men walking.

[David S]

What exactly IS his hitting approach?? This is a serious question!! It seems to me its 'just look for the fastball' So if you see a hanging curve or flat slider, just let it pass until you get the fast one. Now if a pitcher is wild this may work. But if someone can change speeds and get the pitch over--then they are sunk. So it 0-2, or 1-2 and then they guess fastball and strike out on the slider in the dirt. One game I remember because Garrett actually had a couple of hits. I think it was against knukleballer Wakefield. He was able to use his 'knowledge' because no pitch was faster than 58mph. We got 4 hits-Manny got the other 2. Everyone else was baffled, because they never saw the 'heat'.

[Jim McVeigh]

The players are just going through the motions. They know that if they really had busted their tail the might have been in the playoffs but they also know that if they had a chance at all to do anything, moneybags would not have spent the money (unless it was on himself) to put yhe team over the top. First rounders is all he wants. I completley agree with Peter O`Malley mccourt has to sell and we, along with the season ticket holders can force the issue. YOU KNOW HOW. BOYCOTT THE TEAM UNTIL HE AND HIS BROOD ARE GONE..........PLEASE

[Jim McVeigh]

The players are just going through the motions. They know that if they really had busted their tail the might have been in the playoffs but they also know that if they had a chance at all to do anything, moneybags would not have spent the money (unless it was on himself) to put yhe team over the top. First rounders is all he wants. I completley agree with Peter O`Malley mccourt has to sell and we, along with the season ticket holders can force the issue. YOU KNOW HOW. BOYCOTT THE TEAM UNTIL HE AND HIS BROOD ARE GONE..........PLEASE

[Labeldude]

I'd like to know if indeed Mattingly was actually offered the managerial job why McCourt gets to totally ignore baseball's affirmative action program of at least interviewing minorities for the position. Did Selig give him a free pass on that little issue also?

Steve-O, maybe one of the Times reporters ought to delve into that. I don't recall them interviewing anyone but Torre last time either.

[HI Dodger Fan]

it's surprising that this team seems to show no personal pride in finishing the season strong. they're just going through the motions. bowa must be livid but he's obviously been muzzled by all the kemp stuff. torre must have decided he's not coming back as he's not doing a thing to get the players to put some honest effort on the field.

[mymanreggiesmith]

Seriously, does Casey Blake even give a crap. Why even take a bat to the plate? If he's looking for any tatoo ideas for his arm, I've got one..."count 0-2". What does a hitting coach do? I'll add...What does a pitching coach do? None of these relievers have any movement on their fastballs...it's like they're throwing batting practice. No wonder J McDonald is pitching so well now for the Pirates.

One final comment....God Bless you Peter O'Malley...you have my blessings to come back.....PLEASE

[Stan]

At the start of the season there was the mantra of the Dodger batters getting deep in the count. In other words, taking a few. This is only holds for good hitters and who understand the art of hitting. I always had the impression that Martin was always looking for the walk. The old Little League saying that 'a walk is as good as a hit' is true for the Little Leagues but I will take a hit with men on base and RISP. I believe that if a ML batter wants to be known as a good hitter, he doesn;t need to go necessarily deep in the count but after his first at bat he understands what the pitcher is trying to do and ajusts accordingly. The Dodger batters appear as if they don't have a clue.

[NoPunch]

& the true shocking story is that "hitting" coach donnie-boi is in line for a fine promo-shun, to that of mgr., when he ought to have been fired, weaX ago!!!
what a joke!!!

[BRian]

The players have thrown in the towel. Like I have said before this is a gutless team. Regardless of the ownership the players still suck. I have not seen McCourt strike out once this year except with his wife. Padres only spend 40 million and they are still in the hunt.

[Native Angeleno]

Theriot is the one who burns my ass. How's 10-yr younger Blake de Witt doing for the Flubbies?

[Michael Bernstein]

"It's really kind of confusing and frustrating," batting coach Don Mattingly told The Times’ Dylan Hernandez. "KIND OF confusing and frustrating, the hitting coah says of a team that has gone from .269 to .230; 423-185 runs and 69-37 home runs before and after the All-Star Game? The team needs a batting coach who can figure this deep mystery out. In a lifetime of rooting for Blue, I've never seen anything like this with a lineup peppered plenty of good hitters.

[Israel]

Everyone needs to watch the program "Before the Bigs" in order to understand why the Matt Kemp, Ethier, Loney and even Russell Martin are having such a hard time performing on the field. It's all mental! In their interviews they talk about how they are expected to do great things on the field which put and is putting alot of pressure on them to meet everyone elses expectations. Kemp for example talks about he is no longer kid but a veteran and their is an expectation, brought about by the media hype, that season after season his numbers must go up. This is a huge problem not only for Kemp, but for the others as well. My advice to these guys is to go out and play the game for what it is a "Game" and as long as you establish goals and work to meet them, the stats will take care for themselves.

[Herman Baca II]

Hasn't anyone ever heard of the pen being mightier than the sword ????????
NOW you ask Mattingley about the Dodger batters ? The seasons over & this is the first & closest I've read anyone approaching the theory that MAYBE THE BATTING COACH CAN BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE !!! I'm not putting all blame on Mattingley ,Joe makes the line ups & they batters are supposed to ..... bat ! But when you can imagine these "Dodgers" striking out during batting practice & no body makes changes & then wonders why .Maybe its time to change the batting coach !!!! Hello!!!!!

An d now we are expected to get behind this guy as our fearless leader with what a weeks worth experience as a manager ? I don't think so !!!!!!!
By the way we have a winning minor league manager seems ready for the "Show ", Tim Wallach has been through the same process as Lasorda n Scioscia.
Tony La Russa contract is up Larry friggin Bowa could be promoted ! I hear White Sox skipper Ozzie Guine might be unemployed soon .....Nah we'll take this unexperienced crappy batting coach instead .

I guess we can always look on the bright side as if there is one in these very blue Dodger days .
If Mattingley does become the next Dodger Captain , he won't be a batting coach anymore !