2002 LA Dodgers - 92-70 (6GB)

2002 LA Dodgers - 92-70 (6GB)

Jim Tracy's Dodgers finished just 6 games behind the Dbacks in the NL West in 2002.  As late as July 5th they lead the division.  On July 2nd they had a 3 1/2 game lead, but Arizona got hot and the Dodgers played .500 ball for pretty much the rest of the summer and found themselves 9 games out on August 26th.  Tracy was able to get the team to focus and start chipping away at Arizona's lead, but they had too much ground to make up in too short a time.  By going 7-3 over the final 10 games they were able to get within striking distance only.

STRENGTHS:  Super closer Eric Gagne was their strength.  52 saves in 52 opportunities coupled with a 4-1, 1.97 record in 77 appearances gets you 4th place in the Cy Young Award voting and a big letter S on your chest.

  

WEAKNESSES:  Below Average offense.  Expect Shawn Green (42-114-.285) to carry the load.  Dave Roberts (45 steals) needs to get on and make things happen.  Adrian Beltre (21-75-.257) has to find a way to perform better or Green will not see anything good to hit.  35 year old Brian Jordan (.285-18-80) had a nice year with the bat, but was slow on the basepaths.

PITCHING:  The rotation was balanced, but it lacked a true ace.  Hideo Nomo (16-6, 3.39) had a great renaissance year.  Odaliz Perez (15-10, 3.00) would have been a great #2 guy on any other team.  Here he was counted on to be the man.

BULLPEN:  Giovanni Carrara (6-3, 3.28), Paul Quantrill (5-4, 2.70) do a great job setting up the aforementioned Gagne.  45 year old Jesse Orosco is the lefty specialist who can also get out righties.

BENCH:  The bench is strong.  Marquis Grissom (17-60-.277) is a great platoon guy.  Alex Cora (.291) can play anywhere in the infield as well as swipe a bag.  Dave Hansen (.292) and Mike Kinkade (.380) are two fantastic pinch hit options.  Chad Kreuter (.263) is a bonus as their backup catcher to Paul Lo Duca.

I added 22 new cards to round out the full set.  Shawn Green did not have a Dodger card in the original set (he was on Toronto), so I took special care to make sure his card looked sharp.