These Are a Few of His Favorite Things

More evidence that Joe Posnanski is fun to read. From "My Top 100 Players" at SI.com:

19. Manny Ramirez, LF, Dodgers
Yes, he's a pain in the neck. Yes, he had the drug suspension. Yes, he will wear on everybody sooner or later. But if you have to win this year -- he's one of the greatest hitters in baseball history.

37. Matt Kemp, CF, Dodgers
Coming into his own at 24, he's hitting .322 with some power (.499 slugging) and speed (20 stolen bases, 4 caught stealing). A breakout star.

60. Jonathan Broxton, RP, Dodgers
Has a nagging toe issue, and he will walk too many on occasion. But he's almost unhittable (league's hitting .146) and he's 6-0 with 23 saves.

71. Clayton Kershaw, SP, Dodgers
It's risky to put all your hopes on a 21-year-old pitcher -- especially one dealing with control problems. But he has been SO hyped and SO good -- 5-0 with an .063 ERA in his last seven starts -- that you just have to believe.

98. Chad Billingsley, SP, Dodgers
He keeps cruising along, solid as they come -- 9-5, 3.76 ERA, first All-Star appearance -- but at 24 you expect any time now for him to jump forward and become a Cy Young candidate.

Considering that (statistically) each team should have three or four players on Joe Po's list, the Dodgers are well represented. It's a balanced fivesome: offense and defense, starters and a reliever, youngsters and a veteran. And to think the Dodgers' leader in home runs didn't even make the list.