It's So Bad, Fifth Starter Tryouts Have Sunk To This

Jon Soohoo, Dodger photographer, has been asked to test out his arm on a major-league mound before tonight's Dodgers-Giants game:

As he watched Kirk Gibson hobble up to the plate during the 1988 World Series, seconds before one of the most iconic home runs in baseball history, Dodgers team photographer Jon SooHoo was focused on one thing: “What’s going through my mind at that point is to get that roll of film led into the sprockets properly in the camera to make sure there’s not any skipping,” SooHoo said.

For SooHoo, Gibson’s home run was one of the greatest moments of his 25-year career with the Dodgers, an occasion made even better by knowing he got the shot.

But there will be another special moment at Dodger Stadium on Friday when he’ll have to let his family and colleagues get the shot. SooHoo, the longest tenured photographer in team history, will throw out the first pitch before the Dodgers’ game against the San Francisco Giants in honor of his years of service to the team. [...]

But don’t expect SooHoo’s competitive edge to go away Friday when he throws out the first pitch to Dodgers Manager Joe Torre. Anyone standing behind home plate may want to get out of the way when SooHoo takes the mound. “I’m bringing the heat. All I got is heat,” SooHoo said. “I don’t know where it’s going, so if anyone is standing behind Joe Torre, you’d better watch out.”

I'll throw in $20, Jon, if you'll aim over at the owners' box (just for kicks, of course).

In all seriousness, congratulations, Jon, and well-deserved!