Jeff Kent and Vin Scully Are Having a Cane Duel Over ManRam in Los Angeles

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There's this silly little feud going on in Dodger land right now that involves the issue of whether Manny Ramirez' bat in the lineup assists Jeff Kent's ability to hit.

Vin Scully, legendary Dodger announcer, untouchable figure of radio and television lore and 28 time winner of California Sportscaster of the Year, thinks that Kent's bat is heating up because Man-Ram is in the lineup to protect him.

Kent thinks -- according to what he told T.J. Simers recently -- that Scully "talks too much".

"You can't say that," I told Kent, and he said he had just spoken to 200 women (at a Dodgers function) "and I told them the same thing, and they laughed.

"We all love you, Vin," Kent added with a mischievous grin, "but you still talk too much."

[...]"Scully is making the same point everyone else is making," I said. "He says the stats indicate you are having success hitting behind Ramirez -- tell me that isn't the case."

"See my answer to the first question," said Kent, and sometimes you wonder if he sleeps with his bed against a wall forcing him to always wake up on the wrong side. "Listen, I'm so tired of talking about this stuff. It diminishes my whole career and all the hard work. I take it as an insult. I'm 40. You don't get better when you are 40."

Kent also went on to call the written press 'pathetic' (how dare you, sir?) while comparing his stats last year and asking Simers to explain how he managed to hit .300 for a full season without Manny. Here's the thing: Kent is a Hall of Famer, Scully is a frigging legend and T.J. Simers is an instigator, so no one's going to be happy.

Besides, was anyone pitching around a 40 year old Jeff Kent in the first place? I think not. So it's not like everyone's suddenly grooving fastballs his way just because Manny is hitting in front of him.

TFJs: AA/SbB

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

8-18-2008 @ 11:56AM

ralph white said...

Jeff Kent better rnot touch our 'Crown Jewel of S. Calif".

Maybe if Jeff kent would 'talk too much' he might be more a leader and role model. With a great opportunity to mentor and tutor our young guys he instead chooses the silent, sulking route.

Kemp, a little suggestion.Don't even try to question Vin Scully again.

8-18-2008 @ 1:28PM

koswenson said...

Kent's been protected by someone right behind him in the batting order for most of his career. Didn't he get into a hassle with the guy behind him with his last team about that. Now who would want to pitch around Jeff Kent to get to a juiced up Barry Bonds?

Two hundred women laughed? Two hundred women at a Dodgers' function that knowledgeable about the game? I think he's subliminally implying something else with the "two hundred women" thing. Dream on Jeff. Even Cialis' four hour erection won't be much help with this Freudian fantasy.

8-18-2008 @ 9:01PM

Robert LaVey, MD said...

Jeff Kent is sti8ll and has been, a great player. This writer from the LA press is starting a feud to write trash to fill a column. Vin Scully should be reporting how well Kent is now hitting and not stoking this nonsense up..

Kent is turning up his game, and if he sees more fast balls because he is hitting in front of Manny, it takes a great hitter to catch up to a major league fast ball. Jeff Kent is just starting his late season push. Have respect for this great player. Go Jeff.

9-11-2008 @ 4:18AM

Bill said...

You guys say Kent was batting "behind" Manny? NOT SO.
Kent was batting 3rd, and Manny was batting 4th during that period when Kent was so hot. I know, I watched all the games. Then after Kent's comments Torre put Manny in the 3rd spot and Kent in the 4th spot, and Kent went back to his .270 clip.

9-11-2008 @ 4:20AM