LOS ANGELES -- An off-hand remark caught Joc Pederson's attention and produced a swift rebuttal. Knowing it's wildly premature, he said he is adamantly opposed to including his name in the same sentence with Major League Baseball's official home run king, similarities in hitting approach notwithstanding. Reprimand accepted.
But the Dodgers' youthful center fielder said nothing about Bobby Bonds, who several generations ago set the template for Pederson's future leadoff profile while teaching the game to Joc's favorite player.
Since moving from the bottom to the top of the Dodgers' lineup, Pederson has been a remarkable source of walks, home runs and strikeouts.