They’ve Joined ‘Crime’ Wave

Theft. Anyone who runs a business knows the harm it can do.

Pilferage has plagued the Dodgers the last two years because their catchers don’t throw well and their pitchers don’t hold runners effectively. Opponents brazenly steal bases seemingly whenever the urge strikes.

But this year’s loss prevention team -- led by General Manager Ned Colletti and Manager Grady Little -- has adopted a novel approach. Unable to curtail the thievery, they have encouraged their players to become bandits too.

Eye for an eye? This is a bag for a bag.

The Dodgers have 33 stolen bases in 39 tries, a pace that jogs memories of their scrappy 1960s teams led by master thief Maury Wills.

Part of it is the evolution of the game in the post-steroid era. If there are fewer power hitters, there is less reason to be conservative and wait for a three-run home run. Teams want to make something happen rather than wait for something to happen. Or worse, wonder what happened. So away goes Jason Repko. The part-time outfielder has stolen eight bases in nine tries after stealing only five all last season.

Veteran base burglars Rafael Furcal and Kenny Lofton were signed during the off-season to ramp up the running game, and each has seven stolen bases. Jose Cruz Jr. was thrown out in his two steal attempts after the Dodgers acquired him last season, yet he is four for four this year.

Little said the team is implementing a plan developed before the season.

“We were looking at Furcal and Lofton at the top of the batting order, and they were going to do running as long as it made good sense,” he said. “As much as Repko has been on base, it makes sense for him too. And there have been other cases where people have sneaked a base or two.”

Furcal, Lofton and Repko have the green light, meaning they can steal unless given a sign not to go. The rest of the Dodgers must be given a steal sign, and Little is giving it.

Little prefers to allow players to steal when they feel the time is right.

“It’s like when my grandson puts on a tight T-shirt,” Little said. “When you do it for him, he screams bloody murder. When he does it himself, he’s all smiles.”

Lofton has more stolen bases than any active player, 574, and is tied for 21st with Hugh Duffy on the all-time list. He should pass Wills (586) this season and could become the 17th player to reach 600.

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The Dodgers have thrown out only two of 29 base stealers -- and both times Little called a pitchout.

Dioner Navarro, who is on the disabled list, has allowed 16 steals without throwing out anyone. Veteran backup Sandy Alomar Jr. has thrown out one of 10 and rookie Russell Martin was one for three while catching three games against the Milwaukee Brewers last weekend.

Pitching coach Rick Honeycutt said Dodger pitchers are as much to blame as catchers.

“We’ve got to give the catchers an opportunity to throw guys out,” he said. “There have been some opportunities when the throws were off-line, but for the most part it’s been the pitchers releasing the ball too slowly.”

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Outfielder Matt Kemp, a top Dodger prospect at double-A Jacksonville, was accused of throwing a punch at Chris Cron, manager of the Birmingham Barons, during a bench-clearing brawl three days ago.

However, Jacksonville Manager John Shoemaker said Kemp did not take a swing. Cron grabbed Kemp’s jersey during the melee, according to Shoemaker, and when Kemp pushed Cron’s hand away, the hands of both men struck Cron in the face.

The game resulted in a forfeit when Cron pulled his team from the field.

“I thought [Kemp] was the real deal and that if we had the chance, he was a guy we’d like to have,” Cron told the Birmingham News. “All I’ll say about what happened is I’m retracting that statement right now. Some things are more important than what you can do on the field.”

Kemp and triple-A outfielder Joel Guzman are considered the best Dodger power prospects. Kemp hit a grand slam Monday night and is batting .338 with five home runs and 20 runs batted in.