LOS ANGELES — Dodgers center fielder Juan Pierre has been traded and benched, but the low point came Sept. 9. He was insulted, even if he would politely deny it.
After landing on the pine permanently following Manny Ramirez’s arrival Aug. 1, Pierre was passed over for a rare starting opportunity in San Diego in favor of Andruw Jones.
Jones hadn’t played since Aug. 9, exiled on a rehab assignment to heal an aching knee, but more specifically a sickly swing. Jones, the Dodgers’ $36.2 million pink elephant, seemed uninterested in playing the outfield, rarely shagging flyballs, and he even saw some time at first base in Triple-A Las Vegas. Yet he was the one who received the nod in spacious Petco Park.
So forgive Pierre if he wasn’t doing Cirque du Soleil somersaults after seeing his name in the starting lineup Monday in Game 4 of the NLCS. He hit eighth, replacing slumping Matt Kemp. It was a gutsy move by manager Joe Torre to send a message that the Dodgers need more from the young prodigy.
Pierre is a pawn in this head game.
“Whatever,” Pierre said. “I will be ready. You can count on that.”
Question Pierre’s future with the Dodgers, but not his preparation. When the Dodgers returned to Los Angeles for the final leg of the division series, Pierre was the first player in the clubhouse. Not surprisingly, he finished 2-for-3 before getting replaced after six innings.
Pierre earned that sleeves- rolled-up reputation as a high school player in Alexandria, La. Friends and family members would drive cars to the baseball field and so he could keep hitting almost literally by the dashboard light. Form- er Rockies manager Buddy Bell once told staffers to lock Pierre out on a spring training off day so he would rest.
Pierre loves to grind. But those moments always had a purpose — to improve game performance. That vanished this season as Pierre became a bench ornament and a frequent target of fans.
Pierre isn’t any different a player now than he was with the Rockies or with the 2003 world champion Marlins. What has changed is his salary. He was given a five-year, $44 million deal before the 2007 season. With money comes expectations.
Pierre doesn’t want any sympathy. He wants an opportunity to start again. He has three years and $28 million remaining on his deal. To move him, the Dodgers would likely have to eat half.
In the end, there should always be a place for a guy like Pierre. Even if he doesn’t have a role, there’s no better role model.
Earning respect.
Dodgers starter Hiroki Kuroda, already considered a good teammate, cemented his standing by throwing at Shane Victorino on Sunday, actions that earned him a $7,500 fine from Major League Baseball. According to Dodgers players, Kuroda wasn’t told to do it; he just recognized the situation and how important it was to send a message.
Footnote.
Also fined for the benches-clearing incident Sunday were Victorino, Ramirez, J.C. Romero and coaches Mariano Duncan, Larry Bowa and Davey Lopes.
