Inside the Dodgers' fighting clubhouse

Posted: Tuesday September 25, 2007 07:38AM ET

Although second baseman Jeff Kent was the first player to speak on the record about the Dodgers' internal problems -- most notably a widening schism between some veterans and a group of first- and second-year players -- there was palpable tension in the clubhouse for much of the second half. The separation developed largely along generational lines, with the 39-year-old Kent and 40-year-old outfielder Luis Gonzalez among the players on one side and outfielder Matt Kemp, who turned 23 on Sunday, 25-year-old Andre Ethier and 23-year-old first baseman James Loney on the other. Instead, the veterans grew frustrated with their diminished playing roles at the same time that what might have been their last, best chance at the World Series was disappearing. In addition, they say, the young players haven't paid them or the game proper respect. It's an old-school notion -- that rookies should be seen and not heard.

Los Angeles Times

James Loney, Jeff Kent , AP

James Loney, Jeff Kent , AP

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Jeff Kent disgruntled and frustrated? Whoda thunk it?

This is just a case of bad veterans that cannot except the fact that the team is headed in a direction that does not require them. Gonzales and Kent are both on the down -side. Not to mention that Kent is a notorious malcontent.

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I agree that for the most part rookies should be seen and not heard, but these Dodgers rookies should be allowed to voice their opinions. Two reasons: first - they have been loud with their strong play. Down the stretch Loney had an incredible hot streak with the bat, Ethier and Kemp have enjoyed good first seasons, and Russell Martin was a 2007 All-Star. Also, Tony Abreu appears to be the future at second base and Delwyn Young should be on the roster in 2008. Second - despite putting up good offensive stats his entire career, Kent has been a malcontent pretty much wherever he has been and Gonzalez is far removed from his apparently steroid-laden 2001 season. These young players should be the focus AND the future. General Manager Ned Colletti agrees, as he did not move any of his young talent this past trading deadline. Kent and Gonzalez should be elsewhere next year and the Dodgers should hand the reins to the young guys, similar to what Arizona, Colorado and Milwaukee have done. Notice how these three teams are still in the playoff chase? Keeping Grady Little as manager is a wise move as he has likely earned the respect of the young guys, who currently enjoy more playing time down the stretch.

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Kent's a hater.

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I'm a Kent hater

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You're a Kent Stater, brother.

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Just because you have rookies and second year players on the dodgers or any other team -- does not mean that other team members should not listen to them. People and other players have to keep in mind that although these guys are young: they have been playing baseball all their lives. They may be able to see a mechanical or baseball problem that the Grady Little's and Jeff Kents may have overlookeed.

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don't the Dodgers have issues at this time of year EVERY year? It doesn't matter what the reason is, these players are just suffering from Dodger-itis, a fear of making the playoffs

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I gotta come clean, Kent and I were in the same motocycle club during the TRUTH's stint on the west coast. He had a disagreement over the proper 30 wt oil that should be used for my ride and things turned ugly. Out of spite, I showered his pickup truck with my fecal matter and he was not happy. So he went to a carwash and slipped off and broke his wrist.

I feel a little better now having unburdened myself

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Everywhere Kent goes there seems to be a clubhouse with tension, but it's never him

Maybe Kent wants ownership to bring in some character guys like Shea Hillenbrand to help him turn the mood around

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Kent State? They are the bitter arch rivals to the TRUTH's alma mater

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Bowling Green or Kenyon?

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Part of me wants Kent and Bonds to reunite on some lousy team somewhere.

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They'll reunite in hell.

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Anywhere Jeff Kent goes, trouble is sure to follow. That guy is just a malcontent to the extreme.

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I'm telling you they should contract the Marlins and make a new team called the Malcontents where you can have guys like Bonds, Kent, Milton Bradley (if his ACL heals by April), Elijah Dukes (who will be up to 7 kids by then) and other angry, bitter, troublemaking players.

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Well Gonzalez is a class act, so if this somehow involves him it lends credence to the fact that their young players are cocky. I mean, Imagine sticking 2 solid veterans on the Marlins and see how everyone gets along.

It also has to do with maturity. On the Mets you have Lo Duca, Delgado, Alou, and Castillo, but you have (somewhat) mature youngsters in Reyes, Wright, and Maine (Milledge seemingly irks people). I blame the Dodgers manager.

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The NCAA Fishing Championship is being held in Texas this week.

Defending champ is NC State.

I know it's a club sport, but.........

WHAT?!

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Monndizzle- I 60% agree with you. The manager needs to do a better job of keeping the clubhouse in order. However I do lay some of the blame on this on Kent. He has had a history of not getting along well with others and he also made the mistake of going to the media about it. You don't air dirty team laundry like that. And he should know better.

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I here the prince of darkness wants to do a barnstormin' thing this winter in cuba? So who knows?

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AKRON U BABY!!!! FEAR THE 'ROO!!!!!!!

Trust me, you do not want to piss off a kangaroo

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