Dodgers fans aren’t seeing what he’s seeing

I can’t tell you how happy the boys were to see me Tuesday.

It’s kind of my job I guess to tell you, but they do such a good job of hiding their feelings, but the important thing is we won, we won.

As easy as it was -- our heroes taking all the mystery out of the outcome -- it was going to be difficult to pick on any of them.

So I thought I’d take this chance to pick on you. I worry about you people who claim allegiance to the Dodgers, apparently so entertainment-starved that almost 8 million of you bought tickets the last two years to cheer on a bunch of guys who are playing in a lousy division and going a combined 154-165.

My job, of course, is tough love.

But you folks are so easy. Many of you don’t even use the tickets you buy, which is another confounding thing about Dodgers fans, although I’m sure the McCourts thank you for your donations.

Those of you who do use your tickets like to chant Hee-Seop Choi’s and now J.D. Drew’s name in time to the music. On top of the wacko neighbors I already have living next door, that means there are millions and millions of you, who don’t mind making fools of yourselves, living in our very own neighborhoods.

No, there is no rhyme or reason at times as to what captivates you folks. Every game is critical to the cause these days, and yet on Fan Appreciation Day, the last chance to see our heroes in person, many of you weren’t there.

More than that, I wonder what you’ve been watching this year, because you certainly haven’t been paying attention to what’s happening on the field.

The Dodgers’ website is asking the question, “Who is the Dodgers’ 2006 MVP?”

If it was a popularity contest, the two big home runs make it easy: Nomar Garciaparra. Sure enough, he has almost 60% of the votes, but then you’re ignoring the facts.

The Dodgers have needed the absolute best from everyone the last two months, but Garciaparra hit .261 in August, and starting Monday, he was hurt and hitting .224 this month. Your MVP cannot be hurt.

Garciaparra tops the poll, followed by Rafael Furcal, Takashi Saito, Brad Penny, J.D. Drew, and finishing last among all names mentioned is Derek Lowe, the guy you should be thanking for getting the Dodgers this far.

How often do I take the time to thank one of our Dodgers for anything they’ve done? But since Aug. 1, when the pitching staff went into the dumper, Lowe has gone 7-1 with a 2.08 earned-run average. That’s third-best in the major leagues in that span behind Kenny Rogers and Anibal Sanchez, who pitched a no-hitter.

And you’re giving more votes to Drew?

Lowe has not only won but has pitched deep into games, keeping the middle relievers on the bench. That alone should earn MVP consideration.

He also pulled a three-inning stint as a winning relief pitcher, and yet tell me you’ve noticed.

“When I pitch, there are a lot of ground balls and the games are boring,” Lowe said.

But you’re supposed to be Dodgers fans, buying tickets because you believe these guys are really good, and here is someone who has been really good. And you might argue that Greg Maddux or Penny is the ace of this staff.

As good as Lowe has been, he will probably be the starting pitcher in two of the final five games, beginning tonight and again in what could be the decisive season-finale in San Francisco on Sunday.

Just imagine the pressure on Lowe, but then you don’t know Lowe, do you?

“Gosh darn it,” said Lowe, while throwing things around his Colorado locker. “Where’s my hat? I’ve only got one hat. Just one.”

This is going to be a big game.

“I feel off-kilter without my game hat,” Lowe said. “They didn’t pack my game hat. I found this one, but I look like a dork.”

Ladies and gentleman, your big-game pitcher, and instead of worrying about maybe letting you down -- he’s worried about his hat.

Would I be accurate to describe you as “flighty?”

“Yes,” Lowe said.

How about “off the wall?”

“Yes,” he said. “And why would you want me to change my personality just because we’ve got a big game to play? It doesn’t make sense to get your body all uptight.”

And he would know. Lowe not only pitched the division clincher and the league championship deciding game for Boston in 2004, he won the final World Series game for those folks who had never experienced such a thing. You better hope he cares just as much about you.

“You can’t be afraid at this time of the season,” Lowe said. “I’m embracing this. It’s going to be fun. You play all your life for a chance like this.”

You’re probably kicking yourself right now for not noticing how much Lowe has meant to the Dodgers, but that’s all right, it looks as if the equipment manager who was supposed to pack Lowe’s game hat felt the same way.

Let’s just hope the season doesn’t swing on it.

IT’S GOING to be an expensive month. Although it’s not fair -- Maddux getting the chance to record his fifth win with the Dodgers matched against Colorado and with 11 runs of support, Mark Gubicza was right, and I owe $100 to Mattel Children’s Hospital at UCLA.

I’ll also owe the hospital $100 for every game the Angels end up finishing above .500 because owner Arte Moreno proved his point that the Angels had what it took to turn it around when they started so poorly.

I appreciate the fact he didn’t try to run up my bill by acquiring a power hitter, and maybe winning even more games (along with a division title).

*

T.J. Simers can be reached at t.j.simers@latimes.com. To read previous columns by Simers, go to latimes.com/simers.