The Los Angeles Dodgers lost on Wednesday to the Philadelphia Phillies, which in and of itself isn't much news, given that Philadelphia might go down as one of the best teams in the history of the National League. Sure, the Dodgers blew a 6-0 lead and lost 9-8, completing a three-game sweep at Dodger Stadium, but that's not important. What is important is Eugenio Velez and his quest for history.
↵Velez entered Wednesday's game on a double switch in the top of the sixth inning, and proceeded to fly out to center field in both plate appearances. That moved Velez, the 29-year old former Giant, to 0-for-21 in his first season as a Dodger. It should be noted that Velez worked a walk off Cliff Lee on Tuesday, so Velez should be rewarded with some bonus points for that. But no hits in 21 at-bats is no way to begin a tenure with a team.
↵Since the Dodgers moved to Los Angeles, the only player to begin his career with a worse run than Velez was J.D. Drew, who began his Dodger career 0-for-25. Drew hit .284/.399/.505 in two seasons in Los Angeles and was reviled by many fans; perhaps a better start might have won Drew more favor. Velez on Sunday passed Wes Covington, who was 0-for-18 after being acquired by the Dodgers in 1966.
↵How long can Velez keep this up? Stay tuned to watch exciting Dodgers baseball, and find out!
↵For more news on the Dodgers and on Velez's quest for immortality, be sure to read True Blue LA.