Cookson Has Powerful Case

Brent Cookson was on the Dodger Stadium field 12 years ago to accept an award for being a first-team All-CIF selection. Now playing for the Dodgers’ triple-A affiliate in Albuquerque, N.M., Cookson remembers the moment well.

“That’s as close as I’ve come to sniffing that park,” Cookson says with a laugh.

Cookson is hoping to return to Dodger Stadium, this time in center field for the team he grew up cheering for.

Cookson leads the Pacific Coast League in home runs with 18 through Sunday. He’s also among the league’s top 10 with a .339 batting average and 48 runs batted in. The Santa Paula native attributes his hot start to luck, the kind of luck that goes with remaining healthy.

Cookson has been injury-prone throughout his pro career and has bounced around the minor leagues. The Dodgers are his sixth professional organization, after seven seasons in the farm systems of San Francisco, Kansas City, Boston, Texas and Arizona.

Last year was typical for Cookson. He drove the ball well and got off to a great start for Tucson--Arizona’s triple-A team--but his season ended prematurely when he underwent surgery on the hamate bone in his hand.

Cookson wasn’t retained by the Diamondbacks, but he was thrilled when the Dodgers gave him a shot to play at Albuquerque.

“I’ve never been more happy than to be with the Dodgers,” Cookson said. “My ultimate goal in baseball was to play with the Dodgers.”

Cookson was passed over for a promotion to the majors when outfielder Todd Hollandsworth was placed on the disabled list last week--teammate Chance Sanford was called up--but Cookson has been around long enough to avoid pouting.

“I know I’m knocking on the door,” he said. “I know the big league club knows what I’m doing. I just have to stay healthy and stay consistent, and it’s just a matter of time.”