The Curse of Nakamura

May 8, 2005. A date that will live in Dodger infamy.

The Dodgers were riding high with a 19-11 record comfortably on top of the NL West. Experts ranked the team as one of the best in the majors. Then it all came crashing down with the team losing five of it’s last seven games dropping them to third in the division.

Why? The Dodgers dropped Norihiro Nakamura that fateful day. He didn’t add much pop to the lineup, he struck out more than three times than he walked, he grounded into a double-play about 9% of the time and he currently ranks 45 out of 45 on ESPN’s player rater for 3rd basemen in NL-Only Leagues.

But what about the intangibles? How do you measure heart and soul? How much is a rabbit’s foot that actually works worth?

Nori cleared waivers and was optioned to the Las Vegas 51s, LA’s’ AAA squad. Fortunately, he accepted and reported to the team last Friday.

Nakamura may have found his stroke. He’s currently batting .326 with 2 homeruns in 14 at bats with the 51s.

But will Dodger management put two and two together and figure out that recalling Nori will stop the bleeding? Until then the tailspin continues…

Previously on losanjealous:
Sayonara, Nakamura