Dodgers' Jeff Kent defuses issues in uneasy role

It is a day off, but the lights are on, the cramped Dodgers clubhouse filled with players, reporters, destiny, sweep, Manny, Manny, Manny.

In one corner, Derek Lowe is preaching about pressure. In another, Matt Kemp is explaining excitement. In yet another, Casey Blake is smiling about winning.

I approach the fourth corner. It is the Hall of Fame corner. It is the honesty corner. For four years, during every big Dodgers moment, it has been the busiest corner.

I approach it alone. Its tenant stands alone. No buzz here. Nothing to see here.

This is no longer a corner, it is an island, one so quiet, you can almost hear a career drop.

Jeff Kent grins, or maybe winces, it's hard to tell.

"There's been a wrinkle in my perfect ending," he says.

That ending would have been Kent, in the final season of a 17-year career, finally leading his team to a world championship.

The Dodgers may get there, but Kent will probably only be watching.

Watching while wearing a uniform. Sitting while ready to play. Cheering while fighting it.

The guy often repelled teammates with a gruff clubhouse persona, he was never a leader in the room, but don't dare say he deserves this.

Kent was never about the clubhouse. Kent was always about the field.

And for four years, no Dodger has taken that field with more integrity and honor, playing hurt, playing hard, playing until the end.

Except, now that it really is the end, they won't let him play.

He underwent knee surgery at the end of August, fought to be ready at the end of September, played in four late games, collected four hits, a home run, a run batted in, and a private meeting with Manager Joe Torre.

Who told Kent he was benching him for the postseason.

"He could go out there," Torre says. "But I think he'd be better off the bench."

Torre doesn't hide the fact that it's not only about the knee, it's about the range.

At second base, rookie Blake DeWitt covers more ground. In the postseason, Torre wants to back his ground-ball pitchers with a glove, not a bat.

So Kent is here, but he's not.