Andre Ethier looks forward to a fresh start for Dodgers in 2011

For six weeks, it looked like nothing could stop Andre Ethier. Not the knee he hyperextended in spring training. Not the ankle he sprained the first week of the season. And not a pitcher in the National League.

Ethier seemed an unstoppable force. He terrorized NL pitching. Through those first six weeks, he was the best hitter in baseball. He was leading the Triple Crown categories.

And then he was felled by a pinky.

Ethier fractured his right pinky in batting-practice swing. He went on the disabled list for two weeks, but when he returned, he was a different hitter.

In his first 33 games before injuring his pinky, Ethier was batting .392 with 11 home runs and 38 RBI. In the 106 games after he returned, he went .260-12-44.

He now admits he returned from the injury too quickly, the hand never fully regaining its strength.

"You play enough seasons, injuries are going to happen," Ethier said. "Unfortunately it was one where it affected my swing a little bit, affected the way I held the bat.

"And I probably rushed back a little too early without taking the proper steps. Anyone can play the what-ifs. What if didn't happen? But at the same time, you have to stomach that's what type of season it was."

His final numbers on the season: .292-23-82.

Decent numbers, just disappointing considering his blistering start. Disappointing, when he seemed on the verge on becoming one of baseball’s elite hitters.

This season, however, the Dodgers need for Ethier to at least find some middle ground between his first six weeks and his next four months. If the Dodgers once-young core of Matt Kemp, James Loney and Ethier don’t elevate their games, the offense figures to again be bogged down.

For Ethier, that will require reasonable health. He said the knee, ankle and pinky continued to bother him throughout 2010.

He said the knee would sometimes pinch when he swung: "Now it's at a point where I feel back to normal, back to feeling good."

He said the ankle remained stiff: "I didn’t really have time to rest it. It was a little locked up. I've got it back into position where I don’t have to be putting a taped cast on it every game to go out and play."

And, of course, there was the pinky: "It was just getting that stiffness out of the joint and making it to the point where I had full strength. I lost a little bit of strength with that bone being broken and not using my fingers and joints the same way I'm capable. Now I feel like where I'm back to the same strength and at least holding the bat the same way I"ve always done."

Ethier, who’ll turn 29 in April, rehabbed his injuries this winter in Arizona while working out with his former Arizona State teammate Dustin Pedroia, now a Boston Red Sox star.

"I've been working out since the first of the year, taking all my hacks and doing all that stuff, gearing up and getting excited again for the start of the season," he said.

No doubt, some new injury awaits. Ethier believes he's learned from last year's experience, when he might have mentally been using the injuries as an excuse.

"I maybe could have battled a little bit more," he said. "But you don’t learn that until you go through it and step back and realize sometimes you have a little more to give through the injuries and don't use it as much as an excuse. Just find a way to face adversity and find a way to come through it."

If the Dodgers are going to return as an offensive force, they'll need a productive Ethier. Healthy, or battling injuries.

-- Steve Dilbeck

Photo: Andre Ethier. Credit: Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[Justin]

It is hard to believe that this guy became a dodger at the expense of milton bradley. Talk about the exact oppostites in additude and career progression. I have liked Ethier from the first spring training with the club and have the upmost respect for a guy who played injured (his swing was noticably different after the pinky injury) and then says he could of tried harder. Some posters will say that he was admitting that he didnt try as hard as he could of, but as a competitor I always give 100% and when my team looses I am the first one to think I could of given more. This guy is a winner! Look for more big things and clutch hits in the upcomng season.

[Native Angeleno]

Hope Ethier and Kemp have an explosive season, and Loney catches the infection. Only to be undone by the cheap banjos Colletti has assembled around them.

Including Fatso from Frisco who Ned's pinning his hopes on. Hit .242 last year! High expectations = great frustration. Expect that.

When frustration hits, transform it into anger at the cheapskate parasites up top. Don't get frustrated in person. Watch Vinnie. If we stay home, They will go.

[skyharbor]

Would be fun to see Andre make a run at a triple (or double or single) crown this season. He is a fierce competitor on the field who is a personable generous man off the field. Very approachable and ALWAYS available to kids...a family man active in his community. A welcome respite from Ebenezer McCourt.

[Chumpy Kemp]

"I maybe could have battled a little bit more," he said.

Yeah, but you need heart for that.

[Louisville Slugger]

"Ethier said, the knee, ankle and pinky continued to bother him throughout 2010."

How did players like Ripken and Gravey play so many seasons without missing a game? Once Spring Training begins Ethier/Kemp/Loney need to stay out of the weight room and focus on stretching.

[Leo]

I think Ethier is the heart of the line up if he starts hitting the rest will follow.

[alanw19]

Go get 'em Andre

have a great season

Beat the giants! Win the World Series!

[Labeldude]

Dre gets ripped for his fielding, and he's never going to be a gold glover, or even a Danny Glover, but he's not usually a moai out in right either. A healed knee and ankle will help that as well.

Native Angeleno - you know Ned's motto: Increased success through lowered expectations.

[D4life]

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[thanks for nothing]

I have little respect for guys playing with a "legitimate" injury. Injuries are part of the game, that's why there are 25 players on the roster. Do the yourself, the team and your team mates a favor and come back when you are as close to 100% as possible.

[16blows]

D'oh, my pinky... ow, my knee... ouch, my ankle... ghost of Clemente sans the bat, glove & base-running skills same... 16blows.

Such pandering sympathy... not buying the Triple Corona in waiting bombo, rather, see el gran simulador.

"No doubt, some new injury awaits."

- what's next... his feelings? (sniff)

"I maybe could have battled a little bit more"

- well, if you're not sure 'blows'...

"sometimes you have a little more to give"

- but only sometimes... multiple mill per $ea$on doesn't buy what it used to, appears; he evinces same quantity backbone & drive a Jack Benny gratuity...

"and don't use it as much as an excuse."

- or indeed, at all...

No surprise too that 16blows states nary a word regards being a leader on the team (unlike Matt Kemp, who - despite all his issues 2010 - stated he wants to become one/exhibit leadership.) Baby steps perhaps, but Jeff Kent would be proud (better late than never; Torre, Schaefer & Bowa et al will be watching.)

On the dudgers this be a chore, hot potato & short line according to reports.
Have no idea if will transpire (probably not) but Kemp's 'want to' compared the other guy's 'no mention of' speaks volumes (as other veteran presence.)

[Zen]

Ah, the Achilles pinky...

Tragic tale of Promethean proportions.

[Ty]

I have a feeling that Ethier's 09 season was more fluke than the norm

[These Dodgers Suck!]

Andre will never be right until he moves on to the AL East.

[alanw19]

If my confidence is misplaced, it won't be the first time.

But I've got more on this guy than Kemp or anyone else in the everyday 8.

It may be blind believin' - can only hope not. But then, that's the trouble with players of today versus players of a generation ago. Who do you believe in, that will give it their all? Hard to tell - so many play for contracts, or are distracted easily. I want to believe in anyone who wears Dodgers blue, but am smart enough to realize that would not be wise, will only lead to lots of disappointment.

Wish the Dodgers could institute Walter Alston's rule - one-year contract, every year he was manager of the Dodgers. If that was the case, then I would have said sign Beltre. And players wouldn't need steroids to improve either. It would happen naturally.

[OldBrooklyn Fan]

I hope that Ethier doesn't have to battle injuries his entire career. I hope he's not injury prone or fragile. The pinkie injury didn't sound good when I understood it was caused by his natural swing, it was inevitable and could happen again at any time.
I just hope I understood wrong because this guy has the potential to be a big star.
I'm an ethieraholic. (Ha Ha)

[Hollywood Dodger Mark]

That's why he's not a super star. He was hot and then he was not.