NL West

The panda is, by nature, a docile creature.

DreamWork's Kung Fu Panda was a lovable novice who needed to learn how to harness his considerable talents.

Lovable though he may be, the 2011 version of Pablo Sandoval resembles neither a kung fu panda nor a real one.

That’s why it may be time for a new nickname.

The Los Angeles Dodgers promoted outfield prospect Jerry Sands on Monday after the 23-year-old hit a whopping .400/.422/.875 with five HRs and 17 RBI in 10 games (40 at-bats) at Triple-A Albuquerque.

He made his major league debut later that night, going 1-for-3 with a sac fly. He then went 1-for-4 on Tuesday night with an RBI groundout.

After their second straight lackluster performance in a row, the Rockies offense had the tying run at the plate in the bottom of the seventh inning with two outs.

With a struggling Ryan Spilborghs coming to the plate (6-for-35 on the season), and Ramon Ramirez, a righty on the mound, it seemed like a no-brainer that Jim Tracy would call upon Jason Giambi to pinch-hit and take a shot at tying the game up.

Everyone has a bad day at the office.

Ian Stewart is no exception. 

The Rockies third baseman was optioned to AAA Colorado Springs on Tuesday in a move that was, unfortunately, a long time coming.

Rockies brass is steadfast in saying that this is not a demotion for Stewart. Instead, they encourage him to view it as an opportunity to improve. 

The Los Angeles Dodgers got off to a disastrous start in the 2011 season—none of which occurred on the actual playing field.

Already dealing with the issues concerning owner Frank McCourt and his pending divorce, San Francisco Giants fan Bryan Stow was badly beaten and repeatedly kicked in the head in one of the parking lots at Dodgers Stadium on Opening Day.

So the San Francisco Giants made a mistake.

It’s official.

The San Francisco Giants are my favorite team in baseball. I root for the White Sox as a rule, but it’s hard not to like the Giants.

Voting a full World Series share to a gravely ill clubhouse employee, Tim Lincecum giving a big fat check to help pay for a comatose Giants fan and now this?

For those of you that believe the Los Angeles Dodgers could possibly compete in the National League West race this year, they will likely be doing so without any financial help from its owner whatsoever.

View from the Rockpile: Musings From a Mile High Along the Journey to Rocktober

Opening Day 2011. Not a cloud in the downtown Denver sky. Ubaldo Jimenez on the mound for the hometown Rockies. A whistle while you work, picture perfect pre-spring day at Coors Field.  

Not so fast.

Los Angeles Dodger left fielders are hitting .250/.273/.344 with no HR’s in 66 plate appearances in 2011.