MLB.com: Mandel: Dobbs not down on bench (notes)

Now that our dream has come true and Pedro Feliz is a new Phillie, let’s take a moment of sympathy for Greg Dobbs.

Finding comfort as the productive left-handed half of a third-base platoon—after hitting .272 with 10 homers in 324 at-bats—Dobbs prepared for his role as a one-position guy.

He knew the team tried to lure Mike Lowell from Boston and convert Tadahito Iguchi to third base in the offseason, in attempt to upgrade at third base. On Jan. 31, Pedro Feliz returned Dobbs to utility status.

Dobbs said it took a few days to cover his personal disappointment to excitement over an overall improvement. Feliz, after all, hit more homers (20) than Dobbs and Wes Helms (15) combined.

They’d have a pretty great platoon there, if it made any sense to have a platoon of a left-handed-hitting guy and a good-field-no-hit guy.

“We all want the best product on the field. It’s my job to be the best bench player that I can be.”

To that end, Dobbs has three gloves, for first base, third and the outfield.

“Rawlings sent me a whole new platoon of them, so I think I have nine gloves, so I have three of each,” Dobbs said.

What about second base, where Dobbs played on the rare occasions that Chase Utley came out of a game and Abraham Nunez had already been used?

“Not yet,” he said. “That’s to be determined. If they come to me, I will order one.”

I didn’t realize third base and second base had different gloves.  I certainly never played baseball at a high enough level where that was an issue.  What’s the difference?