Welcome to Dodgertown, Jerry Sands

Newest Dodger Jerry Sands made his major league debut last night, Monday night, April 18th, versus the Atlanta Braves at Dodger Stadium. The 23 year-old, 6′ 4″, 220 lb right-handed throwing and hitting outfielder started in left field and batted 7th in the lineup.

As a Dodger rally was unfolding during the 1st inning, a rally in which three runs were plated, Sands hit a 2-out double the other way down the Right field line that advanced James Loney from 1st base to 3rd base.

In his next at-bat during the 3rd inning, he came up with runners on 1st and 3rd with one out. Amidst the “Jerry! Jerry! Jerry!” chants from the blue-faithful, Sands, executed another superb inside-out swing, and hit a towering fly ball to deep right field that scored the runner from 3rd base and advanced the complimentary runner from 2nd to 3rd.

As the next half-inning was unfolding, Sands made a great half-leaning, half-sliding catch while fighting the lights in left field. As he flipped the ball back into the infield with ease after the catch, the chants began again, “Jerry! Jerry! Jerry!”

In the 6th inning, with the Dodgers ahead 4-0, Tim Hudson threw the first pitch of Sands’ third at-bat to the person sitting directly behind Sands in the first row behind home plate. The location of Hudson’s pitch definitely had a purpose. Matt Kemp took exception to the deliberate scare tactic as he retaliated with a bark in Hudson’s direction from the top step of the dugout.

With Sands putting the ball in play easily in his last two plate appearances to the opposite field, Hudson didn’t want him feeling so comfortable leaning out over the plate. Sands ended up chasing a 3-2 slider off the edge of the outside corner for a swinging strikeout.

The following half-inning, with two outs and no one on base, Dodger pitcher Ted Lilly threw his first offering to Nate McLouth behind his back, in a display of protection for his rookie left fielder making his major league debut.  The home plate umpire warned Lilly as well as both dugouts.  I love old-school baseball unwritten rules and justice such as this.

For Sands’ fourth and final at bat in the 8th, he faced reliever Jario Ascencio. After taking a fastball off the plate, Sands fouled one straight back to the screen, a sign that you are right on the pitcher and aren’t being fooled. Ball two was a hook that missed. Strike two was a hook that was fouled off at the plate. Sands was then ultimately fooled on a low slider for a swinging strike three.  This was his second strikeout on a slider off the outside corner.  Take notes and know the slider will now be thrown to you with two strikes.  Make the adjustment in the future, rookie.

Yes, it was an anti-climactic finish to Sands’ debut, but finishing the night 1-3 with a double, a sacrifice fly and a run batted in is much more than most can say they accomplished on day one in the big leagues.

Most importantly, and for the sake of overall team chemistry, Sands did get to execute the jumping “body high-five” with fellow outfielders Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier when the final out was recorded in a 4-2 victory.  This is a staple of Dodger outfielders after a win.

In a post game interview, the innocent and boy-ish-looking Sands said about his debut, “It was awesome, and I’m ready to come back to work tomorrow.”

When questioned about Hudson throwing behind him, he genuinely insured, “its good to know that even in my first game my teammates have my back, and I want them to know that I have theirs too.”

During a post-game interview in the clubhouse, Dodger manager Don Mattingly said, “we hope he continues having good at-bats and playing solid defense in left field.”

While not entirely ringing, this was undoubtedly a solid endorsement.

Sands had been a substitute teacher in the previous off-seasons of his minor-league career, but after 5 home runs in the first 10 games of his triple A season in Las Vegas, he was sent up to the majors, replacing Xavier Paul, that was subsequently sent down to triple A after Sands’ arrival.

Well done tonight Jerry, you contributed to a win in a very significant and professional way. Appreciate the wholesome love from the fans and keep it up kid. If you do, I’m sure you will never have to go back to negotiating recess disagreements and lunch-time food-fights.