Broxton’s Big Toe Gives Him The Boot From All Stars

Forget St. Louis, Broxton and the Dodgers need to think October.

By KURT HELIN

Updated 9:45 AM PDT, Mon, Jul 13, 2009

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Jonathon Broxton wanted to play in the All Star Game this Tuesday so badly that even after he blew a four-run lead last week then had to limp off the field, Dodger manager Joe Torre (with enforcer/coach Larry Bowa in tow) had to browbeat out of him that he was injured again.

An irritated nerve on the big toe of his right foot has irritated Broxton on and off all season and it is back in full force. It returned last week — he couldn’t get much of a push-off from the rubber, and the result is he goes from being the best closer in baseball to getting knocked around like he pitches for the Nationals.

So Broxton is out of the All Star game. He still going to St. Louis for the humidity and to limp around at the festivities, but when they take to the field long-time Dodger nemesis Trevor Hoffman will get the call.

Sucks for Broxton, but the Dodgers have bigger fish to fry.

Dodger fans are already daring to dream, a little, about the World Series. The Dodgers are off to the best start the franchise has had in 32 years. But this injury is a reminder of how frail a dream that can be in July — the Dodgers are not winning anything in the postseason without their all-world closer. And with an 8.5 game lead at the All Star break, now is the time to rest it, get it 100%.

The Dodgers have the best record in baseball, and have gotten great starting pitching from a young staff to go with great hitting (especially when Manny Ramirez is in the lineup). But at times the Dodger success seems a castle built on sand. For example, the Dodgers desperately need a fifth starter so that arms are rested well for the post season. They have tried the in-house options of Eric Milton and Jeff Weaver, but they are destined for bullpen roles. The Dodgers are going to be making a trade — and likely having to overpay in minor league talent to get a fifth starter. That’s what you do when you have a title contender.

This is the best Dodger team in a couple decades at least, this is a team that could give Dodger fans another World Series clip to watch other than a Kirk Gibson arm pump (although that one really never gets old). All Star games are nice, but Broxton, his teammates and the Dodgers front office need to do the things now that make October as big a success as April through July.