Page 6 August 30 , 2012 TORRANCE TRIBUNE They Love L.A. Up and Adam By Adam Serrao very soon. What is even more impressive Reigning Pioneer Leaguethan anything that the players will do on theThe Los Angeles Dodgers just can’t seem to do anything wrong this year. Think about field, however, is the way that the front office Champs Back in Action that statement and go back in time to last held out for a bit, waited to make its move season. Dodger fans and even players were and acquired the best possible player that By Adam Serrao The Tartars looked very strong to start the convinced that the franchise not only had they could have imagined to fill their need. The sound of cleats scratching against the season, but still had some minor setbacks in already gone under, but was headed for an The amazing thing about the blockbuster pavement echoed throughout the stadium as the game when it came to penalties and yards even deeper downward spiral that would trade that may have ensured postseason life the Torrance Tartars readied themselves for penalized. Certainly, Hollis will work with the have taken the club years to overcome. It’s for the Dodgers is that it came during the action for the first time in more than eight team on its discipline going into this week’s amazing what can happen in one year and waiver period. Such big trades typically months of waiting. As the sparks flashed game against Bell Gardens as well as down with one giant smile. Now suddenly everyone happen in the offseason or before the trade up from their feet and the concrete turned the road when the team takes on cross-town wants to be a part of the Dodgers’ brand-- deadline where there is more time to work to grass, it became overtly apparent that the rivals West, South and North High. and in opposition to last year, if they don’t out the semantics of the deal. The Dodgers football season was upon us all again. The North High it is their own foolish loss. For the Dodgers only had 48 hours to work out the intricacies wait couldn’t have ended any sooner for the For a team that went 2-8 last season, the this year, the additions just keep rolling in of the trade with the Red Sox, however, and Tartars, who after taking last year’s Pioneer North High Saxons certainly came out against and it wouldn’t be farfetched to say that in just that two-day window were able to League title were ousted from the playoffs the Redondo Sea Hawks showing a lot of fans can expect a championship out of this address all of the needs that they did not in the semifinal game against the eventual fight. Though the Saxons wound up losing organization within the next two years. resolve before or at the trade deadline--not CIF champion Lompoc Braves. The loss, by the final score of 42-35, it was a game Stan Kasten, Magic Johnson and the rest only readying themselves for a chance at sure enough, left a lasting, nasty taste in the that clearly either team could have taken. of the Dodger ownership group deserve an the postseason, but also for a shot at the mouths of each and every Tartars player, who The fourth quarter is what changed the enormous amount of credit for stopping World Series title. “We did this for our unfortunately for the Hawthorne Cougars took entirety of the game for both teams. With at no cost to get the fans of Los Angeles fans. We want to win now,” said Johnson out their anger last Friday night at Zamperini 6:09 left in the contest, Redondo scored on an back to Dodger Stadium and put a winning who bought the Dodgers along with the Stadium with a 47-6 nonleague victory in 81-yard touchdown to push its lead to 35-27. brand on the field. In less than two months, rest of his ownership group last March for the first game of the year. North would answer when receiver Michael they have not just turned the image of the $2.15 billion. “When you bring in the type The Tartars may have just caught their Jurado caught an 11-yard touchdown pass club around for this year, but they have of players that we’ve brought in, it sends a opposition off guard last Friday night. With followed by a two-point conversion connection made their team a contender for at least the message to our fans that we want to win. an offense like the one that head coach Rock to Devante Jenkins to tie the score at 35-35. next five years to come. “In this position, Our players are extremely happy.” Hollis institutes upon his team, normally the Just three plays later, however, the scoring you have to be aggressive,” said Dodgers Perhaps the most encouraging part of the rushing attack is featured and is of the utmost barrage continued as Freddie Smith broke General Manager Ned Colletti. “You can’t deal is that all of the players are happy. importance. Against Hawthorne, however, it loose for a 35-yard run for a touchdown with be reckless, but you have to be aggressive Before Gonzalez, Beckett and Punto even was the long ball that got the job done. “Our just over two minutes remaining in the game. and creative and think outside the box. got to Los Angeles, they were tweeting out bread and butter is the double wing, so we’ve The score proved to be the final touchdown For a while there, we weren’t really able pictures of themselves on the plane ride to got to pound the ball,” explained Hollis about of the game and ended the seesaw battle with to do that. From a baseball standpoint, it’s the West Coast. It is certainly worth the his team’s typical in-game strategy. “But the Sea Hawks coming out on top. far more conducive to be as good as you money if an organization can obtain skilled we’ve got a guy that can throw the ball really Though the Saxons ultimately took the loss, can be now.” The reason that the Dodgers players who not only want to win, but who well and some receivers who can catch the they received various impressive performances weren’t able to be aggressive in the recent also want to be there in the same uniform ball. We feel like if we can establish the run from a variety of players on the team. Starting past is of course because of Frank McCourt. as their peers, creating chemistry amongst a little bit, we should be able to throw the quarterback Jorge Hernandez showed that he Going from bankrupt to completely solvent themselves and other team members as well. football effectively.” Behind returning senior is ready to deliver the ball this year, going quarterback Jacob Kalama, that is exactly 28-for-46 for 359 yards, three touchdowns what the Tartars did. and one interception. Jurado, who seems to On the first play of the game, Kalama be the favorite target of Hernandez, reeled in The amazing thing about the blockbuster trade with junior tight end Spencer Kovacs for a touchdowns. Jenkins added seven catches fora stunning 17 catches for 220 yards and twodropped back in the pocket and connected that may have ensured postseason life for the Dodgers is that 49-yard touchdown pass to make the score 83 yards and a touchdown. “The potential 7-0 before 17 seconds had come off of the is there,” explained head coach Todd Croce, it came during the waiver period. first quarter play clock. Though the initial “but we’re going to have to iron out a lot of strike was quick, history seemed to find a mistakes. We just had too many missed tackles way to repeat itself. Before the teams left the and too many penalties.” Those are certainly field for the first half intermission, Kalama problems that the Saxons will have to iron would find a way to connect with Kovacs on out before they take on this week’s opponent in less than a year sure does help things Since taking over, the new owners of the two more occasions--both for touchdowns Palos Verdes Peninsula, but the team looks out a bit, though. Now it is clear that the Dodgers have signed Cuban defector Yasiel as well. With less than 10 seconds gone in scrappy, explosive and ready to put together Dodgers are aggressively attempting to be Puig for $42 million over seven years, the second quarter of play, Kovacs would some wins this season nonetheless. • as good as they can be and it is even more re-signed right fielder Andre Ethier to a take a 36-yard pass into the end zone for a interesting how the front office has not been five-year, $85 million extension and have touchdown before he hauled in a 35-yarder Football is an incredible game. reckless about it. now acquired nine new players who are all to basically put the game out of reach at 21-0 Maybe it’s pure luck, but when Dodger generously rewarded for their skills, to say before the second quarter was even halfway Sometimes it’s so incredible, fans everywhere were down on the play of the least. Just the four players the Dodgers done. “I just went off my blocks and ran good it’s unbelievable. James Loney at the beginning of the season, acquired from the Red Sox last Saturday are routes,” explained Kovacs modestly about his all the talk was to bring in a first baseman owed $262.5 million beyond this season. “We spectacular performance. “Jacob was on the ~ Tom Landry like Carlos Lee who was, at the time, with understand that you have to spend money to money.” It looks like Kalama has quickly the Houston Astros. It turns out that Lee be good in this league,” said Johnson. “We found his favorite target on the team and it had a no-trade clause in his contract and understood that before we bought the team. looks like we’ll be hearing a lot more from in turn said no to the Dodgers. Instead, So we’re excited.” Well, one thing is for sure: these two before the season comes to a close. Lee (batting .279 with 8 home runs and 60 Frank McCourt would truly be embarrassed The passing game wasn’t the only thing RBIs) went to the Miami Marlins, who are to show his face in the owner’s section at working for the Tartars, though. The aggressive in last place in the National League East. any more games. He simply can’t afford it. rushing attack that had worked so well Well, Dodger fans everywhere must be A new era has clearly been ushered into for them last year wound up putting some saying, “Thank you, Carlos Lee,” because Dodger town and the fans certainly deserve points on the board in their first game of the by turning L.A. down, the remaining need it. If the owners say and act like money is season this year as well. With a little over for a first baseman resulted in the acquisition no option, then just sit back and enjoy the a minute remaining in the first half of play, of Adrian Gonzalez (.301, 16 home runs, 90 ride. With a lineup that now features Matt senior running back Jonathan Heard ran for RBIs) and the completion of the largest trade Kemp, Ethier, Hanley Ramirez and Gonzalez, a 30-yard touchdown to put the Tartars up in Los Angeles Dodgers’ franchise history. the possibilities are endless with this team. 28-0 before the break. Heard finished with Last Saturday, the trade was completed that Some say that they are now the New York 92 yards and two touchdowns on only eight sent first baseman Gonzalez (the centerpiece Yankees of the West Coast, but branding carries on the night, while junior running of the deal), along with Josh Beckett, Nick the team with a name serves no purpose. back Bobby Wilson came through with a Punto and Carl Crawford from the Boston All that does truly matter is that fans want game-high 116 yards and a touchdown on Red Sox to the Dodgers for James Loney, to come to games, players want to stay and 13 carries. With a strong ground attack like Allen Webster, Ivan De Jesus, Rubby De the team will win. After the trade, even Vin that, Kalama can afford to take some shots La Rosa and Jerry Sands. To anyone who Scully wanted to sign up for one more year downfield. The quarterback ended up going doesn’t follow baseball closely or see the of fun in the booth. So sit back, relax and 7-for-12 for 157 yards and three touchdowns- significance of the trade, don’t worry. The enjoy because as only the man with the -all of them thrown to Kovacs, who finished players who now don the Dodger blue will golden pipes can say, “It’s time for real the night with 121 yards receiving and three make their names part of your household Dodger baseball!” • touchdowns.
Torrance 8.30.12
To see the actual publication please follow the link above