L.A. Times: Dodgers’ shuffled lineup is a big hit (RR)

Yes…but why is David Sampson getting involved?

Left-hander Joe Beimel handed Martin a picture of a garden gnome cloaked in Dodger blue that is sold on the team’s official website, telling him that he needed a “hitting gnome” similar to the gnome the relievers carry to the bullpen every game for good luck. Martin wrote on the image, “Hitting Gnome. Rub Me Here for Hits,” and taped it on the back of one of the benches. Martin and Garciaparra said they touched the picture.

Penny got a hit without making contact with the image—“I don’t like gnomes,” he said. “They’re evil-looking”—but wasn’t about to question its power, as he said the offensive surge allowed him to relax and pitch six effortless innings in which he gave up only one run.

“It worked,” Penny said. “We better have him in there again.”

Martin laughed.

“It should,” he said. “I’m not superstitious, but I’m not the only one who got hits.” Martin laughed again when asked whether he would purchase a gnome to put in the dugout.

“I’ll put it on a chain, I’ll be like Flavor Flav,” he said, referring to the rapper and reality TV star known for dangling an oversized clock from his neck.