What Happens When No One Wants To Win

So, it's fairly obvious no one wants to win the NL West.

Okay, maybe that's not fair. Obviously they want to win... but they just don't want to win.

The Dodgers have lost seven games in a row - nine out of the last ten... and stay in second place only 3.5 games out. Everyone can do that math on that. There's no need for me to point out how sad that is. With any kind of win streak at all by anyone in the division, they could have run away with it by this point. But now? It's anyone's game.

There's not a lot of people talking about the NL West because... well, it's no fun talking about teams that aren't winning or playing well at all unless you're making fun of them.

So, that's why when someone speaks - people listen.

One of my favorite Dodgers of all time is Orel Hershiser - so when Orel speaks, I listen.

Earlier this week during an ESPN broadcast, he apparently questioned the Dodgers' heart and passion for the game. I say "apparently" because he refused to repeat his comment for the papers and no one has a direct quote. He also apparently alluded to a divided clubhouse - the same ailment that Joe Torre was supposed to solve after last season's collapse.

Larry Bowa, one of the team's own coaches, had similar comments this week talking about how the team had not responded "mentally and emotionally" to the pressures of the divisional race. He also expressed embarassment in how the team played in Philly which I'm sure is only stronger after getting swept by the fucking Nationals.

It's hard to watch- it really is. You can see the talent on the team but you just can't get the results. It's a frustrating time to watch the team for sure.

Will they win the division? Maybe. The talent is there to put together a winning streak and make the postseason but they just as easily could nosedive and finish in the cellar. I just can't tell.

And for the record, I don't blame Ned Coletti for it and don't think he deserves to be fired. With the exception of Juan Pierre, I don't blame him for anything else. I think the clubhouse is in disarray again and as much as it's a hard sell PR-wise, I really think they should hand over every spot on the field to a young player and let them work it out together. All the stopgap solutions like Jones, Blake, etc. just don't get it done.

If you need to, sign Manny and let him fill the seats - but I'd fill the rest of the team with the kids [or as much as possible] and let the chips fall where they may. We'll never know if this long-touted group of youngsters can cut it if they don't get the opportunity to let it fly.

And for god's sake, get Jeff Kent off my fucking field.