Dodgers shine a light on former 51 Lindsey

Awesome. He kept saying it. Couldn't help himself. The drive into work each day was awesome. The guys were awesome. The coaches were awesome. The opportunity was awesome. The fact his family could watch and savor memories was awesome.

The per diem was ...

Well, really awesome.

There was a shining light in the disappointment that was the Dodgers' season, a feel-good story of immense stature hidden among underachieving stars and divorce proceedings and Joe Torre's final days in the Los Angeles dugout.

The baseball playoffs begin today when those players involved continue to chase a World Series championship this season. Continue to chase the ultimate of dreams.

John Lindsey isn't among those major leaguers.

He might never be again.

Funny how dreams go.

Lindsey on Sunday afternoon was announced as a seventh-inning pinch hitter at Dodger Stadium, but he and Torre and the opposing Arizona Diamondbacks and the thousands (hundreds?) of fans who remained for the season finale to conclude knew it was more a procedural move than anything.

More of a way to honor a guy who put in his time like few before. More of a way to give perhaps one final nod of appreciation for Lindsey's journey.

More of a way to tip one's cap to the epitome of perseverance.

Lindsey spent 16 years in the minor leagues, working and sweating and dreaming and wondering if that call would come. He spent nearly two full seasons with the 51s, still the only player in Las Vegas history to be named the team's Most Valuable Player in consecutive years.

Sixteen years ago, the O.J. Simpson murder trial was playing out in Los Angeles and Howard Cosell died. That's a long journey.

"I'm very grateful it finally happened," Lindsey said. "Millions of guys have set out with making the majors a goal and didn't get there. God blessed me with the opportunity. I realize there are guys down in the minors as good or better who never will get the chance. I got my taste up here and hope it can last.

"Had I known winning a batting title would have been a reason to get up here, I would have tried to do it sooner."

The first baseman was called up in September as rosters expanded and the Dodgers began playing out the season's final month, assured of a playoff-free October for the first time since 2007. He hit a Pacific Coast League-best .353 at Albuquerque this season at age 33.

Finally, it was enough.

A lesson for young players: Lindsey hit .300 or better in seven minor league seasons, finishing those 16 years with 253 home runs and more than 1,000 RBIs. But numbers aren't enough for most.

Timing is.

Lindsey's story is bigger than any fondness or dislike for a specific team. It reaches beyond box scores and into life, where the idea that if you want something bad enough, if you work for it long enough, if you believe in it strongly enough, good things happen to good people.

John Lindsey is one -- the guy who signed every autograph, who often visited the St. Jude Ranch for abused, abandoned and neglected children when with the 51s, who quietly went about his business here chasing the dream and helping others.

"Very happy for him," said Jim Kelly, who along with wife Lorna served as Lindsey's host family when he played with the 51s and remain close to him. "You know, (waiting 16 years), as John says, 'That's baseball.' There is always someone at the front of the line, and you have to wait it out. But he still wants to play. I think he will want to until they tear the jersey off his back."

Lindsey was introduced as a pinch hitter Sunday but never saw a pitch. He broke his hand last week and underwent surgery Tuesday.

He went 1-for-12 in his time with the Dodgers, and if this is it, if next season and beyond arrives and Lindsey never again plays at the level it took him so long to reach, if a single to left field against the Astros remains his only major league hit, he and his wife and young son and all those friends and family members pulling for him will savor each memory.

How long did it take? Not only 16 years, but the first time Lindsey was called upon to hit after being called up, Torre pulled him back in favor of another.

This was Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully after that moment: "So almost 16 years he waited to get in the game, he'll have to wait for another moment. I'll tell you one thing: He must have the sweetest nature. He must be the most determined, the most unswervering-type character."

Awesome.

Las Vegas Review-Journal sports columnist Ed Graney can be reached at egraney@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-4618. He also can be heard from 2 to 4 p.m. Monday and 2 to 3 p.m. Thursday on "Monsters of the Midday," FOX Sports Radio 920 AM.