Dodger Thoughts Picks Up "Free James Loney" Campaign

Watching Wilson Betemit strike out looking with one out and the bases loaded tonight hurt. Like a nail gun to the hand, you stood there and said, "I can't believe that just happened," and then as the blood starts dripping down one's hand to the fingertips, you start turning pale and feeling sick to the stomach. Betemit, who went 0-for-3 tonight in Atlanta, leaving in his wake a line from the box score that screams 7 LOB and .125 average, has hit rock bottom.

It's gotten so bad, I'm almost expecting them to play The Fray's "Over My Head (Cable Car)" as Betemit's walk-up song. As everyone knows he's in over his head, over his head.

This is not to say that the Betemit project is over. But Betemit definitely needs some time to sort this out and get his head straight, and there ain't anywhere else to hide him in a lineup that suffers from a severe lack of power and timely hitting in the first place. The Dodgers' other infield options of Wilson Valdez and Ramon Martinez are also anchors, albeit smaller than Betemit, threatening to drag the ship down into the abyss. Andy LaRoche isn't ready just yet to take the mantle at third.

And you know where SoSG stands on this. Free. James. Loney.

Of course, Jon Weisman does a pretty good job articulating this point over on Dodger Thoughts, suggesting that is time for Nomar Garciaparra to move from first base back to third base. Grady Little's comments in today's post-game wrap indicate that his patience has worn thin as well:

"He's pretty much hit rock bottom right now," said Little. "There's nowhere to go but up."

Asked if that meant he was sticking with Betemit, Little said: "Not necessarily. We'll see."

Let's hope we give Loney that shot he so deserves, while giving Betemit a chance to work the kinks out elsewhere (hopefully in the Dodgers' organization, but not with the Dodgers). Nomar has already entered the season saying he will play anywhere the team needs him to play. What are we waiting for?