Dodgers' catcher A.J. Ellis: the greatest thing ever

#AJ2KC

Fans tend to be hyperbolic about players (especially prospects), but I think the headline for this post is just right.

A.J. Ellis, the Dodgers' 31-year-old catcher, is in fact the greatest thing ever.

He drove in the winning run last night in the way that fits his game best -- with a walk. Yes, Ellis went Shrimp on us, and Twitter and blog world absolutely loved it.

Tweets

The MOST A.J. Ellis moment EVER.
— Justin Drummond (@tenaciousjdd) May 19, 2012

#SHRIMP SHRIMP SHRIMP AJ FUCKING ELLIS SHRIMMMMP
— T.F. (@EephusBlue) May 19, 2012

AJ is amazing! Whew...
— dodgerfan.net (@dodgerfan_net) May 19, 2012

#AJ2KC times a billion!!! -Nomo
— Sons of Steve Garvey (@sosgsosg) May 19, 2012

SHRIMP. WE HAVE AJ SHRIMP.
— Mike Petriello (@mike_petriello) May 19, 2012

Blog posts

New at MSTI: A.J. Ellis Walks Off In Most A.J. Ellis Way Possible mikesciosciastragicillness.com/?p=11256
— Mike Petriello (@mike_petriello) May 19, 2012

5, 6, 7, 8: 9th Inning Walk-Off Lets Dodgers Capture First Dance With Cardinals sbn.to/KmS54k
— Eric Stephen (@truebluela) May 19, 2012

The only reason Ellis was in this position was thanks to a blown save.

Kenley Jansen, who obviously doesn't have the smarts or heart to be a closer, gave up the lead on a Lance Berkman pinch-hit game-tying home run in the ninth inning. The Dodgers, however, took no time to threaten in the bottom half of the inning.

Elian Herrera (yes, that guy!) drew a walk after an eight-pitch at-bat, Adam Kennedy collected his fourth (not a typo) hit of the night and, for reasons beyond human comprehension, the Cardinals decided to walk James Loney intentionally to get to Ellis, the only other guy than Matt Kemp (disabled list) and Andre Ethier (struck out after Herrera walked) with a .900-plus OPS on the team.

Bad managing for the win, I suppose.

So, it'd be nothing short of amazing to see Ellis, GTE (greatest thing ever), to make it to Kansas City for the All-Star Game. Click the badge in the right sidebar to make it happen.

Oh, and a sure sign of the Apocalypse: the Dodgers are 2-0 when Kennedy hits fifth in the order.


Anyway, I'm graduating with my bachelor's of arts today and wanted for fire off a quick post before I did. Here's hoping Kershaw's on his game and the offense can get something going against Jake Westbrook.

Photo credit: EephusBlue