Dodgers' bummer summer continues

Smith's likely batting title no average pickle

- BILL SHAIKIN COLUMNIST

UNABLE to get the final out of the ninth, a frustrated Alex Vesia exits the mound. The Angels' victory knocked the Dodgers into a first-place tie with the Padres.

On Tuesday, Will Smith led the National League in batting.

On Wednesday, he does not, but he still has a better batting average than the guy behind him.

It's all a quirk of baseball's rules, but one that could cost Smith the batting title if he keeps hitting and the Dodgers keep using him the way they do. We'll explain and exhale in a bit, but first we ought to appreciate the rarity of this situation.

The Dodgers have been in business for 142 years, and never has one of their catchers won a batting title.

Mike Piazza? Good guess.

In 1997, Piazza batted .362, but Tony Gwynn batted .372.

In 1995, Piazza batted .346, but Gwynn batted .368.

In 1996, Piazza batted .336, but Gwynn batted .353.

In major league history, only four catchers have won a batting title. Two of them were Cincinnati Reds: Bubbles Hargrave (1926) and Ernie Lombardi (1938 and 1942).

One is a Hall of Famer: Joe Mauer (2006, '08 and '09). One is a Hall of Famer in waiting: Buster Posey (2012).

Posey, now the president of baseball operations for the San Francisco Giants, said one factor weighing against a catcher in the batting race is the need to not only prepare himself for a game but to prepare a revolving cast of pitchers as well.