Page 6 July 5, 2012 MANHATTAN BEACH SUN Dodgers Fall From Grace Frankly Plank Byadam Serrao has been sidelined a few games with an oblique It wasn’t long ago that the Los Angeles Dodgers injury. The team’s number two hitter and one By Duane Plank had the best record in the National League West of the best defensive second basemen in the Dancing around the hardwood floors right and even beyond that, the best record in all of game, Mark Ellis, almost lost his leg due to now to the old Queen tune “Don’t Stop Me Major League Baseball. Anyone who watches complications resulting from the injury that he Now.” Any kind of motivation, sometimes it the game of baseball, however, knows that the suffered on May 19 that has seen him sidelined takes, to flip on the old laptop and tap this same boys in blue that previously had climbed for almost a month and a half now. When you out. Next song should’a been the Billy Idol to the top of the league are now looking like take the number two, three and four hitters classic “Dancing With Myself.” Which is bums in blue, sliding all the way to the bot- out of any lineup in the league all at the same exactly what I was doing. tom even faster than they ascended. Certainly, time and for an extended amount of time, you Miss the dancing that I used to do. Pretty allowed in and being allowed to leave, lots the baseball season is a long campaign. With can expect the team’s run production to drop good, I might say? Ask a local lady or two? of amusing things occurred. What happens 162 games to be played to complete the sports off drastically. Not only are the big hitters for At least willing--don’t stand on the sideline in Torrance stays there, right? year, it is regular to see good teams at times the Dodgers sidelined, but the other hitters on like some caveman. Though I am sure that So that saucy-eyed senorita must have fall into slumps along the way. The Dodgers, the team are being asked to take their spots there were a couple of cavemen who could been bored one afternoon last week. Wanted however, aren’t only in a slump They are on a and step into roles that they are not used to cut the rug back in the day. And may have to visit the research spot where so many of meteoric descent that when over with may be filling, thus having to work harder and thereby done some of my limping gyrations at a local the pennings of this column have their ger- the worst in team history, begging the question producing less. party yesterday. Maybe my attendance had mination. Took her over there for a brewski, are these in fact the same Dodgers of last year Even so, help is on its way very soon. While been requested at a couple of local soirees. introduced her to column faveDodger Girl. that finished in third place in their division just Ethier was only sidelined for a few games, both Wasn’t sure at press time where I would She said she liked the place--may grace us slightly above the .500 mark? Kemp and Ellis should be back directly after hang my hat on the sunny afternoon that with a return visit. Dodger Girl did not seem The Los Angeles Dodgers led the NL West the All-Star game that takes place on July 10. was the July 4. impressed, BTW, but might have been still by as many as 7 1/2 games on May 27. At the Once those three get back into the lineup, the Trying to start making better decisions, the miffed cuz her Dodgers have been on an time that this is presently being written, the Dodgers will once again have their core back ones that are best for me. Who else matters, extended losing streak. And her fave, James Dodgers are now a game back in the standings and the offense should finally do its part to right? See the end of the column. “Bologna” Loney, may soon be jettisoned of the San Francisco Giants and have been shut end its worst slide in years and eventually start Anyway, ran into a couple of parking di- to a permanent spot at the end of the pine. out five times in six games and six times in 12 scoring runs again. Even through their horrific lemmas recently in Gundo. Now one of the Can’t carry a first baseman who can’t hit games--including all three at San Francisco and play of late, however, one thing separates this perks of living in the town dubbed “Mayberry” forever, right? at least two out of the four games against the team from last year’s. Stan Kasten and the is that you can usually find a parking spot Thanks for all of the supporters who have New York Mets. Presently, those same Dodgers ownership group that includes Magic Johnson, pretty darn easily. And that there are few asked recently about my knee. Especially have produced only two runs in their last 57 unlike Frank McCourt, are willing to do what- off-limit spots in town. Except in the dubi- the somewhat newbie gal, at least to this innings played, seeing them lose seven games ever it takes to win. Already looking overseas ous boondoggle of a parking structure that column, who said that she would help out in a row and 11 out of their last 12. The slide to enhance the team, Kasten and the Dodgers’ once housed a now adiosed neighborhood with a deep tissue massage to the affected has dropped the Dodgers from five games ahead front office recently signed 21-year-old Yasiel grocery store. area. I need every new reader that I can in the NL West and in first place to where they Puig to a seven-year deal in order to hopefully And may someday house another grocery garner and if that is what it takes, so be it. are now--one game behind the Giants and in be the Dodgers left fielder of the future. Beyond store? Maybe. From what I have been reading Still limping/running around town, but second place. These Dodgers don’t seem to be that, the hot stove is burning white hot with and I do occasionally read this papel, that have actually hankered down and set up a the same team they were last year. Now, they trade rumors that have the Dodgers looking in process seems a tad bit derailed, according to doc visit in a couple of weeks. My thought: seem to be even worse. various areas to improve their team and their the scuttlebutt around town. Anyway, don’t Torn meniscus. Which is better than a knee To give the team credit, the Dodgers are brand. “I promise you we’ll explore everything,” know if I have ever slipped a hard-earned replacement. But I am obviously clueless on depleted by injuries that may explain some of Kasten said of his team’s position on the trade quarter into the boondoggle of a parking many things (don’t laugh), and will defer to their insufficiencies lately. Obviously, Matt Kemp market this year. “Look, as candid as we can structure, but will admit to parking two or any and all in the med field, especially the has been out of the lineup for the majority of be, we’te the Dodgers. We’re supposed to be five times on the fourth level and engaging medicos who read and love this column. the year with his hamstring injury. Andre Ethier See Sports, page 7 in some very legal, nefarious activities under Take any advice that you may have--this the semi-gloaming of a Gundo dusk. Back is supposed to be an interactive forum, an in the day. exchange of ideas? So, and I will get to the sports, but you kind Now the baseball Halos have hit a little of already know who won the Dodger game bump in the road in their recent four-game last Sunday, don’t cha? And I am betting it series with Toronto, which is in Canada, wasn’t the Dodgers (editor’s note: actually for some of you folks who may not know. it was, but who could blame Plank?). Team Speaking of may not knowing, hope my new, Titanic continues their freefall. quick chica amiga made it back to Texas Gonna report about another great sporting on Saturday? Ran into the lovely Houston event that took place last week. The day-job art teacher Amanda as she was killing time bosses, who really do a great job of taking locally, waiting for her “friend” to give her care of us worker bees, hosted a Thursday lift to LAX. Her “friend” had dumped her night soiree at Torrance’s very own Lucky off at a Mayberry pub and was allegedly Strike bowling center. Now, all is well that going to return later after watching Mickey ends well, but the evening started out a little Mouse cartoons with his nephew. dicey. Learned a few things along the way. I kid you not. This very nice lady was And one of them is to not take any extra killing time, talking to me, and some would stuff into a bowling alley. So I took my cash, say wasting time, as she texted her “friend” my keys in. That was all. Left the cellie in who was watching the Mickey stuff. You kid- the car and the ID. Which turned out be a ding me? Hope you got back to Texas, girl! Go Metro Expo Line To Culver City The Metro Expo Line’s Culver City and Farmdale stations are now open, making it small mistake. The man at the door, doing So back to the Angels. Kinda gonna go easier to go Metro to more attractions. Discover Culver City’s dining scene along with his job, would not allow me in. No ID. No back to my mantra of a couple of months the museums of Expo Park, Downtown nightlife and more. For more information, go entrance. But when I pointed out my grey ago. The Texas Rangers are darn good. And tometro.net/expo. hair, he relented, but pointed out that I was spotting them a big division lead, even if it Construction Begins On Wilshire I-405 Ramps not too smart to not have my ID with me. early, is not a good thing. Won’t even dish As part of the I-405 Sepulveda Pass Improvements Project, crews will demolish and reconstruct I-405 freeway ramps over the next year and a half. Construction on the first And he was right. The rest of the evening on the Dodgers. Mattingly has done a great pair of ramps at Wilshire Boulevard is now underway. Checkmetro.net/405 for the latest proved how “not smart” I was, but I will job of piecing this flotsam and together, but information on closures and construction schedules. tell you that I kicked butt in the second the gig is over, methinks. Look For Metro At CalCon Expo August 2 round of bowling. Didn’t get to bowl the Last thought: Definiton of insanity--Doing Contractors, construction professionals and suppliers can learn about $150 billion in third round. Either my team ditched me, or the exact same thing over and over and public works projects underway by attending the upcoming California Construction I ditched them. Second option, that is the expecting different results. Applies to me. Expo (CalCon) at the Pasadena Convention Center. The government sector is in need of qualified firms to support construction programs. Learn more atcalconexpo.com. one I am sticking to. Anyway, between being Anyone else out there wanna fess up? • Measure R Projects Moving Forward Metro continues to make progress on more than 70 transportation improvement projects DEADLINES funded by voter-approved Measure R. Included in those projects are 48 for highway and traªc reduction, 16 for rail and rapid transit and nine for public transit. Follow their progress atmetro.net/measurer. OBITUARIES: Monday at noon. Get Through Tra;c Faster With ExpressLanes CALENDAR ITEMS: Prior Friday at noon. Starting this fall, Metro ExpressLanes can help you get through traªc faster on the I-110 Freeway. These special lanes are available toll-free to eligible carpools, vanpools and PEOPLE ITEMS: Prior Friday at noon. motorcycles, and for a toll to solo drivers – all you need is a FasTrak® transponder. To get your transponder, visitmetro.net/expresslanes. DISPLAY AD CHANGES: Prior Thursday at noon. CLASSIFIEDS: Tuesday at noon. 2012 lacmta LEGAL NOTICES: Monday at noon. © NEW DISPLAY ADS: Prior Thursday at noon. 12-2301ps_sby-ie-13-001 REAL ESTATE ADS: Monday at noon. If you’d like to know more, visitmetro.net. AD CANCELLATIONS: Prior Thursday. LATE CANCELLATIONS WILL BE CHARGED 50% OF AD
Manhattan 7.5.12 update
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