2003: Paul Quantrill, Kevin Brown, Mike Kinkade, Jason Romano
2002: Eric Karros, Mark Grudzielanek, Dave Hansen, Marquis Grissom
2001: Gary Sheffield, Tom Goodwin, Chan Ho Park, Luke Prokopec, Matt Herges
2000: Todd Hollandsworth, Kevin Elster, Ismael Valdez, Orel Hershiser
1990: Fernando Valenzuela, Kirk Gibson, Rick Dempsey, Hubie Brooks
1980: Mickey Hatcher, Rudy Law, Charlie Hough

Etc.

Don't know how well the Dodgers will do in 2005 - they're in a tenuous place to say the least, despite their remaining assets - most of all in the pitching rotation.

However, there is nothing new about the departure of Dodgers we have grown to like or appreciate or both.

Being upset about this year's farewells is perfectly understandable. Maybe, even, this year was the last straw for some people. But that's all it's really been - another straw. The notion that there is anything unusual about this offseason, that there is any particular callousness or insensitivity to it, just doesn't track. If it turns out that Dodger owner Frank McCourt is in cost-cutting/plunder-the-assets-for real-estate mode, lack of allegience to any True Dodgers will be an independent issue.

Look at 2001. Happen to notice the presence of a star slugger on the so-long list?

Look at 1990. Think we lost enough cherished heroes after that season?

Probably very few are mourning Jason Romano's absence today - but there were plenty of howls when he was traded in March.

Some years are worse than others. Some moves are worse than others. Some moves seem great and turn out badly; some seem bad but turn out great.

It's all part of a thread that continues, year after year after year. No matter what you think of the Dodger moves this offseason, it should help to keep that in mind.