Former Dodger first baseman Eric Karros

The only thing that didn’t suck about Wednesday’s game was that Eric Karros was on Think Blue TV to introduce the game. It was the first time I’ve seen him all season.

The former Dodger first baseman usually co-hosts the broadcast with Gary Miller before Dodger games that are shown on KCAL-9.

Besides being one of my favorite Dodgers ever, Karros has a very interesting perspective on certain aspects of the game. Having been not only a player but a Dodger under Tommy Lasorda among other managers, Karros brings first-hand, inside-the-locker-room experience to his analysis. He tells the viewer what certain players are probably feeling, and a lot of the time, it is not what I would have expected.

For example, yesterday, Dodger Manager Don Mattingly made workhorse centerfielder Matt Kamp take the day off. One of the few things Kemp can pride himself on so far this year is his perennial record as active Major Leaguer with most consecutive games played. But Kemp’s been struggling after off-season shoulder surgery, so Mattingly wanted him to clear his head with an off-day. Well, Karros talked of his own experience in a similar situation, saying that he hated it when managers made him sit. He always wanted to contribute, and once threatened to demand a trade just because Davey Johnson made him stay on the bench for one game.

In the end, Karros admitted that it was usually a good thing to take the pressure off a struggling player, because the struggle just gets worse the more frustrated the player becomes. So it didn’t help yesteday that when he was called on to pinch hit, Kemp struck out swinging with the bases loaded.

So the Dodgers are one under .500 (7-8), in fourth place ahead of the lowly Padres (5-10), who just swept the bejeezus out of us.

But as Eric Karros said, “It’s early in the season. It’s not time to panic yet.”