Dodgers Seem to Have Found Their Level

If you’re a Dodger fan who was looking for playoff tickets after the 22-10 start, you probably cringe whenever you think about the law of averages. Sorry, but it appears that this team’s formula for success is a little unrealistic.

But you never know. They just might play the next 120 games like the first 32. Maybe they’ll never lose a one-run or extra-inning game. Maybe Wilson Alvarez will start and never give up a run. Maybe Paul Lo Duca and Adrian Beltre will hit .450. Maybe, despite the walks, Kaz Ishii will keep winning.

And maybe not.

Richard A. Fond

Los Angeles

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When will Jim Tracy stop playing around with Shawn Green’s career? Shawn’s favorite position is right field. That’s what he excels at and enjoys. He never wanted to be a first baseman. Put him back in the outfield, where he is most comfortable and more productive. The switch to first base was not his choice, and playing a position he has no enthusiasm for is affecting his batting skill.

It doesn’t take a psychologist to conclude that if a person is unhappy being placed in a situation that he dislikes, he will consciously or subconsciously respond with less effort in his work. Put him back in right field permanently, Jim, and watch his batting statistics improve.

Norman Temple

Burbank

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I’m not sure which is harder to endure -- Shawn Green’s hopelessness at the plate, or Fox Sports Net’s moronic new “let’s count how many baseballs have been used in this game” gimmick. How about giving us folks at home a running tally that’s at least slightly meaningful, like how many times per game Green and his fellow Dodgers swing at the first pitch?

Dan Epstein

Los Angeles

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With the popular and generally reliable Shawn Green batting .226 as of this writing (Wednesday), and the Dodgers coming off a recent eight-game losing streak, Jim Tracy finds himself in a proverbial “no-win” situation.

If he benches or demotes him, he’s accused of panicking; if he shows confidence in Green’s ability to break out of his slump by allowing him to remain in the cleanup spot, he’s criticized for not fixing something that’s obviously broken; and if he does both (which he has), he’s labeled “indecisive.”

David Macaray

Rowland Heights

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Recent comments from Jim Tracy are pathetic, to say the least. “Every team goes through this.” And “It probably won’t be the last time this year ... .” Way to bring out the best in your guys there, Trace!

When is the front office finally going to see that this guy does not have the fire necessary to inspire championship-caliber confidence in his team? He has been soft for years. Even the players are infected with this lack of motivation, as indicated by Odalis Perez’s recent parroting of Tracy’s excuses. Well, the fans are sick of it! Hey, Mr. DePodesta, bring Tommy back!

Peter Pastorelli

Chino

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I love my Dodgers so much that I want them to end up in third so that someone finally gets a clue that Jim Tracy shouldn’t be managing this team. Seriously, who ever heard of station-to-station small ball?

Even Davey Johnson had more sense.

Asher Garber

Austin, Texas

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Is it my imagination or was it about a month ago The Times had articles touting the abilities and success of the two Jims (Tracy and Colborn) and Tim Wallach as being such wonderful influences and the reason for the Dodgers’ success? Have they suddenly stopped coaching and instead rested on their laurels? Or, has the team found its yearly level of a few games over .500 as many of us suspected all along? Why do reporters jump on the bandwagon so quickly? Aren’t they supposed to be objective?

Harvey Hirsch

Sherman Oaks

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The aberration that was the Dodgers’ first 30 games or so is melting like so much ice cream left at room temperature too long.

The Milton Bradley tirade, ahem, trade. Green’s sustained hitting woes. Who is the first baseman, anyway? Adrian Beltre’s cracked ankle, seven years bad luck? Will Eric Gagne ever get another chance for a save? An incomprehensible quoting manager exacting his best impression of Phil Jackson. And a farm team-depleting GM.

Let’s face it. The Dodgers can be summed up in three words: National League worst.

John R. Grush

Mission Viejo

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I was disappointed when the Dodgers traded for pitcher Jeff Weaver. Now, I just feel sorry for Jeff because of the way Jim Tracy mismanages him. Weaver’s ERA probably would be a couple of points lower if Tracy would not insist on leaving him in near the end of a game until he gives up a few runs.

But then, Tracy seems to do that with all his starters.

Breindy Raisy

North Hollywood