As a die-hard Dodgers fan, should I be optimistic about the return of pitchers Kevin Brown and Darren Dreifort? Brown is getting up there in age, and I've always thought that Dreifort was more hype than substance.
-- Art Ramos, Fresno, Calif.
Art, two years ago I visited the Dodgers to write a piece on Gary Sheffield. While waiting around, I smelled smoke. Sitting in the rear of the clubhouse was Dreifort, puffing on a cigarette. Right there, I lost a lot of faith in a pitcher who's always been more hype than reality. If you're not taking care of your body, what's the use? Dreifort has never produced in his major league career. One must seriously doubt if he ever will.
I haven't seen the Dodgers this spring, but word has it that Brown, who turns 38 on Friday, looks pretty good. Still, it probably doesn't matter. L.A. is in a very difficult division, and unless Fred McGriff is actually Jason Giambi in disguise, the offense has a lot of holes. The Dodgers are a third-place team, and nothing more.
-- Jeff Pearlman
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Wednesday, March 12, 2003 <snip> tournament. As a die-hard Dodgers fan, should I be optimistic about the return of
pitchers Kevin Brown and Darren Dreifort?...