From the title, you can gather that I’m referring to Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Casey Blake, who is instantly recognizable with his lumberjack beard.

Since joining the Dodgers, last season, Blake has been one of the keys to the Dodgers’ success, which prompted legendary Dodgers announcer Vin Scully to joke that Blake “always has his playoff beard on.”

Although he goes through short stretches when his bat goes cold, Blake has remained consistent, overall.

His latest feat occurred last night, knocking in the winning run with the bases loaded and two outs in the ninth inning.

Have faith in “Beard.”

Beard will deliver us.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention how clutch Andre Ethier has been since Manny Ramirez returned.

When Ramirez got suspended, Ethier looked so downtrodden, he might as well have locked himself in his closet and listened to Linkin Park like an emo kid.

However, he’s regained the same confidence he displayed at the beginning of the season, since Ramirez returned. Maybe Ramirez is holding his hand.

Oh, hey, how about that amazing bullpen?

For a while, Ramón Troncoso (a.k.a. “Megatron”) was the most consistent. However, since the rest of the bullpen was so bad, manager Joe Torre
overworked him and he hasn’t been as sharp.

Ronald Belisario is an interesting member of the bullpen. He might have great numbers, but the truth is that he fails at the worst times. Then, when he finally got it together and was actually coming through when needed, he gets injured. Double-fail.

The Dodgers still don’t have an ace or a bullpen that can back up the so-so starting lineup. The Dodgers have admitted interest in Toronto Blue Jays ace starter Roy Halladay, but the most pressing matter is the bullpen.

Hiroki “Samurai” Kuroda, has started to warm up and he might soon display the same form that made him the best Dodgers pitcher in the playoffs last season. At the start of 2009, he was, arguably, the best starter on the staff.

It’s amazing that the Dodgers have amassed the best record in the Major League Baseball, despite all their faults.

It still comes down to one or two guys on any given night. And, last night’s hero was Beard.

In such a curious season, you need some consistency. You know the Beard is always going to be there.

Have faith in Beard.

Beard will deliver us.