On Paper: 2004 vs. 1988

Meaningful and meaningless, all at once ...

On paper, the 2004 Dodger starting lineup is as strong or stronger on offense than the World Champion 1988 Dodgers at catcher, first base, second base, shortstop, third base and right field. Only at left field and center field is there a projected deficit, as well as at the far end of the bench. (And we know what a key role the bench played in 1988.)

On paper, the 2004 Dodger pitching staff matches or surpasses the 1988 staff at four of five starting slots. In the bullpen, you can make the case on behalf of the 2004 pitchers in five positions, although relief ERAs fluctuate significantly.

Now, some of the 2004 Dodgers are on the downswing, but so were some of the guys in 1988. For a real caveat - as if you needed one - there's this: Magic not included.

Batters

OPS+ is on-base plus slugging percentage relative to the league, with 100 being average. Courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com.

Position	2004 Dodger	2003 OPS+	1988 Dodger	1987 OPS+	1988 OPS+
C	Paul Lo Duca	92	Mike Scioscia	91	88
1B	Robin Ventura	101	Franklin Stubbs	87	92
2B	Jolbert Cabrera	105	Steve Sax	88	95
SS	Cesar Izturis	61	Alfredo Griffin	79	50
3B	Adrian Beltre	89	Jeff Hamilton	47	80
LF	Juan Encarnacion	101	Kirk Gibson	130	149
CF	Dave Roberts	74	John Shelby	102	108
RF	Shawn Green	117	Mike Marshall	109	119
Bench	Bubba Trammell	54	Mike Davis	112	55
Bench	Dave Ross	135	Rick Dempsey	51	130
Bench	Alex Cora	68	Dave Anderson	65	89
Bench	Jason Romano	(-47)	Mickey Hatcher	102	96

Pitchers

ERA+ is ERA relative to the league, with 100 being average. Courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com.

Position	2004 Dodger	2003 OPS+	1988 Dodger	1987 OPS+	1988 ERA+
SP	Hideo Nomo	130	Orel Hershiser	130	148
SP	Odalis Perez	89	Tim Leary	83	115
SP	Edwin Jackson	163	Tim Belcher	167	115
SP	Kazuhisa Ishii	104	Don Sutton	92	86
SP	Jeff Weaver	73	Fernando Valenzuela	100	79
RP	Eric Gagne	335	Jay Howell	71	161
RP	Guillermo Mota	204	Alejandro Pena	113	176
RP	Paul Shuey	134	Brian Holton	92	197
RP	Tom Martin	114	Jesse Orosco	86	123
RP	Wilson Alvarez	170	Shawn Hillegas	111	81
RP	Darren Dreifort	100	Tim Crews	160	107