Gene Hackman and the Dodgers of 2008

I know am a little late but here is how I reacted to the Manny trade on July 31, 2008: Just as I wrote these guys off for dead, they go ahead and make feel like an ass by pulling off a move that should at least get us the NL West. For some strange reason, this reminds me of the movie "Hoosiers". If you haven't seen it yet you should. It's easily the best sports movie of all time.

It stars Gene Hackman as a high school basketball coach (Joe Torre) who's previous job was coaching at a big time college basketball program. (Yankees) He has inherited an inexperienced team, which are nothing more than young farmers. (2008 Dodgers) During the course of the season the townspeople (Frank McCourt, Ned Colletti, Logan white, LA fans and media, etc...) show signs of impatience as expectations are falling short and the losses pile up.

During the course of the season Hackman tries to help Dennis Hopper, a man who has superb knowledge concerning the game but is burdened by alcoholism. (Andruw Jones addicted to food) Along the way he wins them a game but later unravels due to his illness and is sent to a sanitarium to dry out. (Recent benching)

It is only after the arrival of star player Jimmy Chitwood (Manny Ramirez) does the team finally start clicking. Naturally that wins over the townspeople (Frank McCourt, Ned Colletti, Logan White, LA fans, and media, etc...) and the team goes on an incredible winning streak to get into the playoffs. The team then uses it's new found momentum to capture the state tittle. (World Series champs 2008??)

Hopefully I didn't jinx us with the last part there. It's been an incredible year celebrating the Dodgers' fifty years in Los Angeles. It started with Manny wearing a different uniform on the field of the Coliseum in March 29 and it could end with him in a dodger uniform in the fall classic. (Again hopefully hoisting a trophy of some sort) After all we are in Hollywood and it would be the ultimate Hollywood ending.