Weekend Autograph Opportunities: Dodger Mall Tour on Sunday and a Busy Saturday for Autograph Collectors

Here are this weekends autograph opportunities and events throughout the Southland. As always, be sure to check the Blue Heaven Calendar for other events (a link can always be found on the tab at the top of this page, just left of center), and always confirm with the establishment. Everything is subject to change.  Please email me with any tips about upcoming events in Southern California.  As the rest of the week progresses I'll update this post with other events (if there are any) as I become aware of them.  Also, I don't always list every event below, so be sure to check my Calendar.  I always try to favor free signing events over paying events.  Click on any pic to embiggen.

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The 2014 Dodger Holiday Mall Tour begins this coming Sunday, December 7th at the Westfield Topanga Mall in Canoga Park.   You can also go here for details at the Dodger website.

Westfield Topanga
6600 Topanga Canyon Boulevard
Canoga Park, CA 91303
Sunday, December 7, 2014 

Appearance Times:

Orel Hershiser: 11am-1pm
Justin Turner: 2pm-4pm

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Former Dodger infielder Steve Sax will be at Dr. Alex Liu's office in Rowland Heights on Saturday, December 6th.  Check out the flyer below of go here for more information.

Dr. Alex C. Liu OD
19735 E. Colima Rd.
Rowland Heights, CA 91748

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This Saturday is the Frank & Sons Holiday Open House and a whole bunch of autograph guest will be on-hand to meet with fans.  Check out the flyer below, or go here or here for more information.  Former and current Dodgers in attendance include Tommy Davis, Adam Kennedy and Justin Turner.

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Ed Davis will be at Valley Sports Cards in Tarzana on Saturday.  Go here for more information.

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Blog Kiosk: 3/31/2014 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends to Start the Season

The photo above is from the Dodger exhibit at the Japanese American Museum in Los Angeles, pic via Armando Arorizo/LA Dodgers 2014.  Check out more pics here.  Mark Langill at the Dodger Insider wrote a story about the exhibition, here.

• Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Clayton Kershaw to be placed on 15-day DL."  Again, I think this is all about staying on the side of caution.

 "I can't pitch right now, so I'm going to have to take a few extra days," Kershaw said. "It's frustrating. Right now, it's just not getting better fast enough."

• Via Steve Dilbeck at the LA Times, "Turns out there is winner for rotation's fifth spot — Josh Beckett ."  Via Don Mattingly,

“We always felt like Josh had the upper hand. But we really didn’t know where the health was going to be, how that was going to go.

• Via Scott Miller at MLB.com, "Ellis appreciates ground swell of support."  AJ was at the plate when the earthquake happened on Friday.

"It felt like the crowd really came to life when I was at the plate," Ellis said Saturday afternoon. "I was like, 'I appreciate that. These guys are really into my at-bat.' "

• Chad Moriyama at Dodgers Insider writes, "Yasiel Puig’s 2014 at the plate, regression, and his late-season ‘slump’"
• David Laurila at FanGraphs writes a bit about the Dodgers biomechanical assessments of Seth Rosin and Withrow's development.

“Once I got Rule 5’d over here, they said they’d watched a lot of video of me,” said Rosin. “They saw an opportunity for me to become more efficient with my body. The process of incorporating those things began at a camp in January, and I’ve continued to work on it since that time.

• Mark Townsend at Big League Stew notes that the Puig team meeting was set up by Yasiel.
• Eric Stephen at True Blue LA sums up the whole Figgins vs. Kennedy brouhaha nicely.
• Via Mark Saxon at ESPNLosAngeles.com, "Brian Wilson and the fickle nature of relief".

"I’m not particularly used to having 'one of those nights,'" Wilson said. "Normally, it might have something to do with not making proper pitches. Tonight was about not being able to get ahead in the count, and they took advantage of it. Just forgive and forget." 

• Zach Hample shares his experience at the Australian ballgames.  Go here to check it out.  He has a ton of photos of areas in and around the stadium that I guarantee you haven't seen yet.
• Juan Uribe wore this into the Dodger clubhouse before the game in San Diego, yesterday.  I kid you not!  Via Hanley Ramirez's Instagram.

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An Off Day Video Interview with Shawn Green

Since we've got several days til the start of the playoffs for the Dodgers, I figured I'd fill this downtime with a fun little video interview with former Dodger Shawn Green.

Eddie Mata, a former MLB Fan Cave participant a year ago, got a hold of the slugging left-hander and was able to speak with him about his playing days with the Dodgers.  This interview is a part of Mata's "Where Are They Now" series, and I suggest checking them all out.  In the 3 weeks since he's opened the channel, Mata has already interviewed Paul LoDuca and Adam Kennedy.  He will also have an interview with former CY Young and Rookie of the Year winner Doc Gooden soon.

Now, watch his interview with Shawn Green below.

Video Link:

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Weekend Autograph Opportunities: Paul LoDuca and AngelsFest

Here are this weekends autograph opportunities and events throughout the Southland. As always, be sure to check the Blue Heaven Calendar for other events (a link can always be found on the tab at the top of this page, just left of center), and always confirm with the establishment. Everything is subject to change.  Please email me with any tips about upcoming events in Southern California.  As the rest of the week progresses I'll update this post with other events (if there are any) as I become aware of them.  Also, I don't always list every event below, so be sure to check my Calendar.  I always try to favor free signing events over paying events.  Click on any pic to embiggen.

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Harry's Dugout in Whitter will be hosting former Dodgers catcher Paul LoDuca on Saturday, July 20 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM.  Go here for more information.

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This coming Saturday is the AngelsFest at Frank & Sons.  Tim Salmon, Mickey Hatcher and Adam Kennedy will be appearing.  Unfortunately, I do not know at what time Hatcher or Kennedy will be appearing.  Vladimir Guerrero was scheduled to appear, but that has been postponed.  Per a statement from Guerrero:

To all my fans:
Because of unforeseen circumstances beyond
my control, it is impossible to attend the upcoming
appearance and signing.

I hope you can all understand and I will reschedule
for a later date. Hopefully in August.

Thanks to all!!

Frank & Son Collectible Show
19649 E. San Jose Ave.
City of Industry, CA. 91748
Phone: (909) 444-7955

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Dodgers Blog Kiosk: 1/4/2012

Check out Dodger hurler Shawn Tolleson  mixing some cement while supporting Kershaw's Challenge in Zambia.  Pic via Dodgers Community Relations Blog.

• The Kershaw's Challenge blog also has a new post up called, "Day 2 in Zambia!  Hope's Home and Buseko."
• John Sickels at Minor League Ball ranks his top 20 Dodger prospects.
• Remember Christian Haupt -- the 3-year old Dodger fan with Baseball skills?  Well, the photo of him throwing out the first pitch last year made ESPN LA's list of Top Photos of 2012- see it here.  I had featured him previously here, here and here.
• Peter Fullam of the Whittier Daily News interviews 1988 Dodgers pitcher Tim Leary. 
• Ben Linbergh at Baseball Prospectus trolls the internet to see what folks would trade to get Giancarlo Stanton.  He evaluates it team by team.
• Roberto at Vin Scully is My Homeboy lets us know that Adam Kennedy is opening a Baseball development facility in Anaheim, and the open house will be this coming Monday and Tuesday.  He also notes that newest Dodgers Skip Schumaker will be at a grand opening tomorrow afternoon at the South Bay Refinery Baseball training facility.
• Just in case you are wondering, the Padres are holding their FanFest on Saturday, February 9th.  Go to Gas Lamp Ball for information.
• Panini shares a story of a collector who opened a pack of their cards and won a Babe Ruth rookie card.  Wow!

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2012 Topps Update Baseball Cards- Dodgers Base Set

On Wednesday, Topps released their UPDATE Set to their flagship Baseball card set.  As expected there are whole bunch of inserts and parallel variation cards; including some short printed Baseball cards.  In fact, their are 7 different short printed Dodgers variation cards (actually 6 since one of them is a Sabathia card with a Kemp sitting nearby).  Go here to see them all.

For this post, I feature all of the base Dodger cards in the set.  See them below.

#US3 Adam Kennedy 

#US4 Matt Treanor 

#US38 Elian Herrera -RC 

#US52 Clayton Kershaw - AS 

#US57 Hanley Ramirez 

#US102 Brandon League 

#US113 Scott Elbert 

#US133 Matt Kemp - AS 

#US170 Jerry Hairston 

#US191 Bobby Abreu 

#US217 Matt Guerrier 

#US262 Matt Kemp - Home Run Derby 

#US293 Shane Victorino

#US304 A.J. Ellis 

#US324 Jamey Wright

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Dodgers Notes from Spring Training- Freeway Series, Game 34

Throughout Spring Training the Dodgers PR department sends out helpful daily notes from Camelback Ranch, and I am happy to pass them along.

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (18-12-2) at LOS ANGELES DODGERS (15-14-4)

Wednesday, April 4, 2012 – 12:10 p.m., Dodger Stadium

LHP C.J. Wilson vs. RHP Nathan Eovaldi

Spring Game 34/Home Game 17

Todays Starting Lineup:

Dodgers: Gwynn LF, Sellers SS, Ethier RF, Rivera 1B, Kennedy 3B, Federowicz C, Cruz 2B, Angle CF, Eovaldi P
Angels: Aybar ss, kendrick 2b, pujols 1b, hunter rf, wells lf, trumbo 3b, iannetta c, bourjos cf, wilson p.

Upcoming Spring Training Schedule:

(Pic Via Jon SooHoo/ LA Dodgers 2012)

• HEARTS FULL OF SPRING: The Dodgers will play their final exhibition game this afternoon in the rubber match of a three-game Freeway Series with the Angels. Today marks the fifth meeting between the two clubs during the exhibition season (2-1-1) with the Dodgers winning last night, 4-1. The Dodgers and Angels will meet six times during the regular season, beginning June 11 at Dodger Stadium.

  The Dodgers’ victory last night was their first Freeway Series victory since 2009, having dropped both contests in 2010 and 2011 and the game in Anaheim Monday night. This week marked the first three-game Freeway Series since the Angels took two of three from the Dodgers in 2007. That year was also the last time the Fresco Thompson and Lefty Phillips Awards were handed out. These awards honor the MVP and most outstanding pitcher of the Freeway Series, respectively. In 2007, Orlando Cabrera took home the Fresco Thompson Award and Chad Billingsley won the Lefty Phillips Award. Early candidates for the awards are Juan Rivera (5-for-6), Dan Haren (1-0, 1.59 ERA) and Erick Aybar (4-for-8).

  A victory this afternoon would give the Dodgers their first winning Spring Training since going 17-16-1 in 2007. On Saturday, the club clinched its first winning Cactus League campaign since joining the league in 2009 with a 14-13-4 record.

• NATE DOGG: Dodger right-hander Nathan Eovaldi will make his fifth and final start of a memorable Spring Training this afternoon. Eovaldi has appeared in six games and gone 1-1 with a 1.72 ERA (3 ER/15.2 IP) while limiting the opposition to a .233 batting average. On Sunday, the Texas native was named the winner of the 2012 Jim and Dearie Mulvey Award as the top rookie at Spring Training. Eovaldi was selected as the winner in balloting by the club’s coaches and will receive a plaque in recognition of his accomplishments. A full list of past Mulvey Award winners, including last year’s winners Jerry Sands and Rubby De La Rosa, can be found on page 368 of the 2012 Dodgers Guide.

(Our Boys in Blue are back on the field @ Dodger Stadium for the 1st time this Spring., via Twitter @Dodgers)

• ELATION: Yesterday, Dodger infielder Justin Sellers and pitcher Josh Lindblom were told they would make their very first Opening Day roster. Several others were told they would be reassigned, but the moves will not be made official until after the game today, when the Dodgers’ 2012 Opening Day roster will be released. Also joining Sellers and Lindblom in making the Opening Day roster for the first time are Dee Gordon, Javy Guerra and Scott Elbert. Congratulations to all!

• PARTY ROCK: The start of the regular season is tomorrow afternoon with the Dodgers opening the 2012 regular season at PETCO Park against the Padres. Clayton Kershaw will make his second consecutive Opening Day start for the Dodgers against San Diego right-hander Edinson Volquez.

  The Dodgers are inviting fans to Dodger Stadium to watch the team open the season tomorrow and the event, including parking, is free. Non-alcoholic beverages and concessions are $4 or less and an additional discount of 15 percent will be applied to all Dodger merchandise on sale tomorrow. On top of all that, former Dodger and 1981 World Series Co-MVP Ron “The Penguin” Cey will sign autographs for fans on the Field Level concourse behind home plate from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. Gates open at 3:00 p.m. and fans can register to attend the event at www.dodgers.com/viewingparty

(Adam Kennedy on the post game show after Dodgers win 4-1, via Twitter @THEREAL_DV)

• FINISH STRONG: The Dodgers beat the Angels, 4-1 last night behind 4.0 scoreless innings from Aaron Harang (2.63 ERA this spring) and solid relief work from Matt Guerrier (1.0), Scott Rice (1.0), Angel Sanchez (2.0) and Shawn Tolleson (1.0). At the plate, Juan Rivera went 3-for-3 to raise his Spring Training average to .344 while Matt Treanor (2 RBI), Justin Sellers and Matt Kemp drove in Dodger runs.

  Due to an agreement between the Dodgers, Angels and Major League Baseball, all three of the games in the Freeway Series will include a bottom of the ninth inning , regardless of which team is winning. Both last night and Monday night, a “fake” bottom of the ninth inning was played.

• HALL CALL: Today, legendary Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodger, one of the Boys of Summer, Gil Hodges, would have turned 88. Despite being a rock in the middle of the order for the great Brooklyn Dodger teams of the 1950s, Hodges has not gained access to Cooperstown. The first baseman made eight All-Star teams, won two Gold Gloves and skippered the 1969 Amazin’ Mets. Hodges hit 370 career homers while hitting over .290 in four different World Series (’53, ’55, ’56, ’59).

• FOLLOW THE LEADERS: Dee Gordon and Andre Ethier have been two of Los Angeles’ hottest hitters this spring as Gordon ranks among the NL leaders in batting average (.379, 6^th), steals (11, 2^nd), runs (16, T-1^st) and on-base percentage (.446, 4^th), while Ethier is tied for third with nine doubles, tied for fourth with 16 RBI and tied for sixth in the league with 44 total bases. Ethier’s .863 slugging percentage leads the club.
  

Dodgers Notes from Spring Training- Day 27

Throughout Spring Training the Dodgers PR department sends out helpful daily notes from Camelback Ranch, and I am happy to pass them along.

LOS ANGELES DODGERS (8-4-4) at Cleveland Indians (4-10-3)

Monday, March 19, 2012 – 1:05 p.m., Goodyear Ballpark

LHP Clayton Kershaw vs. RHP Jeanmar Gomez

Spring Game 17/Road Game 9

Todays Starting Lineup:

Dodgers: @skinnyswag9 SS, M Ellis 2B, Gwynn LF, Kennedy 1B, Uribe 3B, Oeltjen RF, @AJEllis17 C, Angle CF, Capuano LHP
Indians: Brantley cf Donald ss Choo rf Santana ca Lopez 3b Kotchman 1b Duncan dh Kipnis 2b Canzler lf Gomez p

Upcoming Spring Training Schedule:

(Pic via Jon SooHoo/ LA Dodgers 2012)

• CLEVELAND ROCKS: The Dodgers make the short trip to Goodyear to tangle with the Tribe for the first time this spring. The two clubs meet again on Saturday at Camelback Ranch – Glendale and have not played in the regular season since 2008. Los Angeles holds a 4-2 advantage in the teams’ six all-time Interleague meetings.
• BIRTHDAY BOY: The Dodgers would like to wish a very happy 24^th birthday to today’s starter, Clayton Kershaw! The left-hander takes the mound for his third Cactus League start after striking out six and allowing just one hit in 4.0 scoreless innings on Wednesday in this same ballpark against the Reds. Kershaw has allowed just four hits (4-for-24, .167) this spring and yet to allow a run in his 7.0 innings. Kershaw will be followed to the mound by:
  ● LHP Scott Elbert struck out two and walked one in a scoreless inning on Friday against the Rangers. The 26-year-old has not allowed a run and has struck out five in 3.0 innings this spring.
  ● RHP Javy Guerra walked one in a scoreless frame on Friday against the Rangers. The 26-year-old is limiting opponents to a .111 batting average this spring (1-for-9) and has not allowed a run in his three appearances (3.0 IP).
  ● RHP Kenley Jansen gave up a pair of solo home runs in his last outing on Friday against the Rangers. The 24-year-old set a Major League record last season by averaging 16.10 strikeouts per 9.0 innings.
  ● LHP Scott Rice picked up the save with a scoreless 1.0 inning to close out the Dodgers’ 5-2 win over the Rangers on Friday. The 6-6 Simi Valley native has given up just two hits (2-for-14, .143) and has not allowed a run in his 4.0 innings this spring.

(Clayton Kershaw signing for the fans, pic via Jon SooHoo/ LA Dodgers 2012)

• MAKING MOVES: The Dodgers made a flurry of roster moves following yesterday’s game by reassigning infielders Lance Zawadzki and Jeff Baisley along with catchers Gorman Erickson and Matt Wallach to minor league camp. Prior to the game, the club reassigned LHP Matt Chico, RHP Will Savage and RHP Ryan Tucker to minor league camp. In addition, the club gave LHP Alberto Castillo his outright release. After the most recent moves, 45 players remain in big league camp.
• WINDSOR KNOT: The Dodgers and Angels played to a rain-shortened 1-1 tie yesterday before the storms closed in on Camelback Ranch after the top of the sixth inning. Adam Kennedy, who is batting .318 this spring, doubled and scored the Dodgers’ only run of the contest on Juan Uribe’s RBI single in the fifth. Chris Capuano struck out three and allowed just one run in 4.0 innings, which his lowered spring ERA to 3.12, and John Grabow and Mike MacDougal each fired a scoreless 1.0 inning of relief.
  ● Los Angeles’ four draws this spring tie for the second-most all time by the club along with the 2002 and 2008 campaigns. The Dodger record for Spring Training ties was set in 2006, when the team went 15-13-5.

(Vin Scully sits down with Dylan Hernandez, pic via Jon SooHoo/ LA Dodgers 2012)

• PACKING THE RANCH: Despite the rain and cold yesterday, 13,648 fans turned out for the Dodgers-Angels game at Camelback Ranch – Glendale for the second-largest crowd in Cactus League history, behind only Saturday’s crowd of 13,655 for the Dodgers-Giants game. The Dodgers have hosted four of the five best attended games in Cactus League history.
• GOLDEN CACTUS: The Dodgers enter play today with the third-best record in the Cactus League with an 8-4-4 mark, trailing the Athletics by 2.5 games and Giants by 1.5 games in the standings. Los Angeles has the second-best team batting average among National League clubs this spring with a .284 mark and its 3.33 team ERA ranks third. The Dodgers are tied with St. Louis for the top NL on-base percentage with a .357 mark. Individually, Andre Ethier leads all National Leaguers with six doubles and leads the team with a .474 batting average (9-for-19) and a 1.053 slugging percentage in nine games.
• TUCSON TUSSLE: This Friday, the Dodgers and White Sox will play a Cactus League game at Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium in Tucson with all the proceeds going to the Christina-Taylor Green Memorial Foundation. The Christina-Taylor Green Memorial Fund was established by Dodger scout John Green and his family to honor the life and memory of his daughter, Christina-Taylor, through charitable and educational projects that reflect and embody her interests, values and dreams. This is the second straight year that the Dodgers have played a benefit game in Tucson to help raise funds for the victims and families affected by the tragic events of January 8, 2011.
  ● The Dodgers also play a split-squad game against the Royals in Surprise on Friday, but the majority of the club’s regulars will head to Tucson with Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier, Juan Rivera, Mark Ellis, A.J. Ellis, Dee Gordon, Tony Gwynn Jr. and Jerry Hairston Jr. volunteering to play in the benefit game.

Dodgers Notes from Spring Training- Day 23

Throughout Spring Training the Dodgers PR department sends out helpful daily notes from Camelback Ranch, and I am happy to pass them along.

Kansas City Royals (6-6) at LOS ANGELES DODGERS (7-2-2)

Thursday, March 15, 2012 – 1:05 p.m., Camelback Ranch

RHP Chad Billingsley vs. LHP Danny Duffy

Spring Game 12/Home Game 5

Todays Starting Lineup:

Dodgers: Gordon 6, Hairston 5, Kemp 8, Rivera 3, Ethier 9, De Jesus 4, Treanor 2, Sullivan 7, Billingsley 1
Royals: Gordon SS, Giavotella 2B, Hosmer DH, Butler 1B, Moustakas 3B, Cain CF, Betancourt SS, Maier RF, Pena C, Duffy LHP

Upcoming Spring Training Schedule:

(The @DesertDoyer has arrived, via twitter)

• FEELING BLUE: The Cactus League-leading Dodgers play the Royals this afternoon for the first time this spring with the teams meeting again in Surprise on March 23. Los Angeles and Kansas City haven’t met in the regular season since 2005, with the Royals holding a 4-2 advantage in the all-time series. While the Dodgers won’t be heading to KC in 2012, members of the Blue Crew have their sights set on Kauffman Stadium and an All-Star selection for the Midsummer Classic on July 10.

• ROSTER UPDATE: Today the Dodgers optioned RHP Chris Withrow, LHP Michael Antonini, RHP Stephen Fife, RHP Josh Wall, OF Scott Van Slyke, OF Alfredo Silverio and IF/OF Alex Castellanos to minor league camp. In addition, the club reassigned RHP Shane Lindsay and IF Russ Mitchell to minor league camp

(Kershaw pitching to Votto, pic via twitter @chrisbondra)

• HILLTOPPERS: Chad Billingsley makes his third start of the spring after allowing three runs on six hits in 2.1 innings on Saturday night against the White Sox. The Dodgers will forgo the designated hitter for the first time this spring today with Billingsley batting ninth in the Los Angeles lineup. Last season, the 27-year-old ranked fifth among pitchers with a .268 slugging percentage and tied for fifth with three doubles. Billingsley will be followed to the mound by:

  ● RHP Mike MacDougal allowed one hit in a scoreless inning on Sunday against the Cubs and has tossed 2.0 scoreless frames this spring. MacDougal re-signed with Los Angeles as a free agent and ranked seventh among NL relievers with a 2.05 ERA last season.

  ● RHP Todd Coffey last pitched on Sunday against the Cubs, striking out one in a scoreless inning. Coffey has not allowed a baserunner in his two appearances this spring and has struck out three of the six batters he’s faced.

  ● LHP John Grabow allowed two hits in his last appearance against Chicago-NL on Sunday, but escaped the 1.0 inning without any damage. He’s tossed 2.0 scoreless frames this spring after signing a minor league contract with the Dodgers this past offseason after three seasons with the Cubs.

  ● LHP Alberto Castillo has limited opponents to a .143 batting average (1-for-7) in his two Cactus League appearances this spring. He fired a scoreless inning on Sunday against the Cubs in his most recent outing.

• RED HOT: Clayton Kershaw improved to 2-0 and struck out six in his 4.0 scoreless innings last night as Los Angeles defeated the Reds 9-1 in Goodyear. A.J. Ellis and Adam Kennedy launched their first home runs of the spring season and Trent Oeltjen came within inches of an inside-the-park home run, but had to settle for a two-run triple when he was tagged out at home plate by the immovable Cincinnati catcher Devin Mesoraco. The Reds’ only run of the night was unearned in the fifth inning against Jamey Wright and Josh Lindblom, Josh Wall, Michael Antonini and Will Savage each fired a scoreless inning in relief.

(Pic via twitter @PatLagreid)

• FROM THE REDS TO THE RED CARPET: National League Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw will be presented with the 2011 Sportsman of the Year award tonight at the seventh annual LA Sports Awards, which are held annually by the Los Angeles Sports Council to celebrate the greatest moments of the year in sports in the Los Angeles/Orange County area. The Sportsman award is given to the local male athlete whose performance and character best exemplified the ideals of sportsmanship during the calendar year. Kershaw will leave camp to fly back to Los Angeles for the event and will be available to the media at Club Nokia in downtown Los Angeles at 5:45 p.m.

• WELCOME, NEWK!: The Dodgers would like to welcome Special Advisor to the Chairman Don Newcombe to Camelback Ranch – Glendale. Newcombe, who is in town all weekend, will address both the Major and minor leaguers in camp and throw a ceremonial first pitch prior to the sold out Dodgers-Giants game on Saturday night.

• ALL PHASES: The Dodgers have the National League’s lowest team ERA this spring with a 2.82 mark and rank fifth on the circuit with a .283 team batting average. Outfielder Cory Sullivan leads the club and ranks fifth among all National Leaguers with a .389 batting average. After last night’s victory, Clayton Kershaw is tied for the NL lead with two wins and a 0.00 ERA.

• THE GANG’S ALL HERE: The Dodgers would like to welcome Dodger Stadium organist Nancy Bea Hefley and her husband, Bill, to Camelback Ranch today for their first-ever Spring Training trip. Hefley started as the Dodger Stadium organist in 1988 and the 2012 season will be her 25^th year with the Dodgers.

Dodgers Notes from Spring Training- Day 20

Throughout Spring Training the Dodgers PR department sends out helpful daily notes from Camelback Ranch, and I am happy to pass them along.

LOS ANGELES DODGERS (5-1-2) at Los Angeles Angels (5-3)

Monday, March 12, 2012 – 1:05 p.m., Tempe Diablo Stadium

RHP Aaron Harang vs. RHP Jered Weaver

Spring Game 9/Road Game 6

Todays Starting Lineup:

Dodgers: Gordon, 6; Kennedy, 4; Kemp, 8; Ethier, DH; Rivera, 7; Hairston, 5; Sullivan, 9; A. Ellis, 2; Fields, 9; Harang, 1.
Angels: Aybar SS, Kendrick 2B, Pujols 1B, Hunter RF, Wells LF, Abreu DH, Trumbo 3B, Ianetta C, Bourjos CF, Weaver SP.

Upcoming Spring Training Schedule:

• RED HOT AND BLUE: The Dodgers take their Cactus-League best 5-1-2 record to Tempe’s Diablo Stadium this afternoon to take on their I-5 rivals, the Angels. The two teams will meet again in Cactus League action on March 18 at Camelback Ranch –Glendale, prior to their exhibition Freeway Series from April 2-4. During the regular season, the Dodgers and Halos will meet six times, starting with a three-game set at Dodger Stadium from June 11-13. With four wins and a tie in its last five games, the Dodgers have the Cactus League’s best record with a 5-1-2 mark through eight contests. The club also has the best record among National League squads and trails only the Tigers (6-1-1) for the Majors’ best mark so far in the spring season.

• ALL PHASES: Los Angeles ranks fourth among National League teams with a .286 team batting average and is tied for third with 10 home runs, despite playing in just eight games. The Dodgers rank third among all NL clubs with a 3.38 ERA (27 ER/72.0 IP) and have committed just three errors, which ties them with the Cardinals and Astros for the fewest among NL teams.

• CUBBIE-BLANKING: The Dodgers shut out the Cubs, 5-0, yesterday at Camelback Ranch – Glendale, getting 3.0 scoreless innings from LHP Ted Lilly in his second Cactus League outing. Following Lilly, the Dodger bullpen continued its stellar work this spring as six different hurlers fired a combined 6.0 scoreless innings while yielding just three hits. The offense was keyed by outfielder Trent Oeltjen (2-for-3, 2B, 2 R) and designated hitter Tony Gwynn Jr. (2 RBI).

(Photo Credit: Juan Ocampo/ LA Dodgers 2012)

• THE BIG “H”: New Dodger starter Aaron Harang will make his second Cactus League appearance this afternoon in Tempe after making his debut last Wednesday in Phoenix against the A’s. Harang is coming off one of the best seasons of his 10-year big league career after leading the Padres with 14 wins and posting a career-low 3.64 ERA in 28 starts last season. Since 2004, Harang ranks among the National League leaders in wins (85, 7th), strikeouts (1,223, 3rd), innings pitched (1,467.2, 4th) and complete games (13, T-7^th). The California native will be followed to the hill today by RHP Chris Withrow, LHP Wilfredo Ledezma, RHP Angel Guzman, RHP Ryan Tucker and LHP Scott Rice.

• FAMILIAR FACES: Two players very familiar to Angels fans will be in the Dodger starting lineup today as Adam Kennedy starts at second and Juan Rivera will be in left field. Kennedy, who played in Anaheim from 2000-06, ranks among the Angels’ franchise leaders in games (992, 9^th), hits (935, 13^th), doubles (176, 9^th) and triples (32, T-4^th). He was the 2002 MVP of the American League Championship Series vs. Minnesota after hitting .357 (5-for-14) with three homers and five RBI in four games. Rivera played in Orange County from 2005-10, blasting 92 homers during that six-year stretch, which also includes the 2007 campaign when he played in just 14 games due to injury. The Venezuela native set career highs with the Angels in 2009 with 152 hits, 72 runs, 25 homers and 88 RBI.

(Photo Credit: Juan Ocampo/ LA Dodgers 2012)

• BIRTHDAY BOYS IN THE OUTFIELD: A quartet of famous former Dodger outfielders were born on this day as Raul Mondesi turns 41, 2004 home run hero Steve Finley is 47, Darryl Strawberry celebrates birthday No. 50 and Jimmy “The Toy Cannon” Wynn would have been 70 years old today.

• GOING TO BE A CLASSIC: The 3^rd annual Dodgertown Classic will take place tomorrow, March 13, at Dodger Stadium with UC Irvine taking on Pepperdine at 2:00 p.m. and USC battling its crosstown rival, UCLA at 6:30 p.m. There will be discounted concessions and free parking with an all-day ticket costing only $7 in advance and $12 tomorrow.

Dodgers Notes from Spring Training- Day 13

Throughout Spring Training the Dodgers PR department sends out helpful daily notes from Camelback Ranch, and I am happy to pass them along.

Todays Spring Training Opening Day Game:

LOS ANGELES DODGERS (0-0) vs. CHICAGO WHITE SOX (0-0)

Monday, March 5, 2012 – 1:05 p.m., Camelback Ranch – Glendale

RHP Chad Billingsley vs. RHP Philip Humber

Spring Game 1/Road Game 1

(Rick Monday chatting with Don Mattingly, via twitter @PONealFSWest)

• IT’S TIME FOR DODGER BASEBALL: The Dodgers open up their 34-game exhibition schedule as the designated visiting team against the White Sox this afternoon at Camelback Ranch – Glendale. The two clubs will meet for the fourth time in five seasons during Interleague Play in 2012 with the White Sox visiting Dodger Stadium from June 15-17. Los Angeles will play 31 Cactus League contests before finishing up the spring slate with three games against the Angels; in Anaheim on April 2 and two at Dodger Stadium on April 3 and 4.

• BILLS ON THE HILL: Chad Billingsley will make his first start of the Cactus League season as he prepares for his seventh big league season after going 11-11 with a 4.21 ERA in 32 starts last year. The 27-year-old is one of only three National League pitchers to have won 10 or more games in each of the past five seasons, joining teammate Ted Lilly and Cole Hamels, and also ranks sixth on the Senior Circuit with 703 strikeouts since the start of the 2008 season. Billingsley will be followed to the mound today by RHP Nathan Eovaldi, RHP Fernando Nieve, LHP Wilfredo Ledezma, RHP Angel Guzman, RHP Ryan Tucker and LHP Scott Rice.

(Clayton Kershaw pitches in an intrasquad game for his first live action of the spring, pic via twitter Jon SooHoo @Dodgers)

• IT ALL STARTS AT THE TOP: With the exception of Adam Kennedy at third base, today’s Dodger starting lineup looks very similar to what Don Mattingly is expected to pencil in on Opening Day one month from today in San Diego. Shortstop Dee Gordon will start things off for the Dodger nine this afternoon and ranked fourth in the Majors last season (min. 200 AB) with a .315 batting average as a leadoff hitter (63-for-200). Last season, the 23-year-old became the first-ever Dodger shortstop to be selected to the Topps Major League Rookie All-Star Team and was also recognized as the Gillette presents National League Rookie of the Month in September, batting .372 with a league-leading 42 hits in 26 games. Overall, Gordon had the second-highest batting average among Major League rookies (min. 200 AB) with a .304 mark and tied for second among rookies with 24 steals in 56 games with the Dodgers last season.

• BIG MAC: The Dodgers would like to wish right-handed reliever Mike MacDougal a happy 35^th birthday today! MacDougal re-signed with the club as a free agent this past offseason after ranking second on the team with 57.0 innings pitched as a reliever and a career-high 69 appearances in 2011. The 11-year Major League veteran ranked seventh among National League relievers (min. 50.0 IP) with a 2.05 ERA while going 3-1 with one save last season in his first season with Los Angeles.

• MAJORING IN THE MINORS: Dodger minor league pitchers and catchers have their first workout today with all other minor leaguers reporting on Friday. The first full-squad workout takes place on March 11. The farmhands will hope to repeat their success from last season, when six of the Dodgers’ seven minor league affiliates ended the season with winning records and the teams’ cumulative .543 winning percentage (414-349) was the second highest among Major League clubs behind only Texas’ .565 mark (431-332). In addition, four of the seven clubs reached the postseason with the Rookie-level AZL Dodgers winning the Arizona Summer League championship.

• TROLLEY DODGERS: New for 2012, fans can ride a free trolley from the Westgate City Center to all Dodgers and White Sox games at Camelback Ranch – Glendale. The trolley stop is located on Westgate Boulevard right across from Yard House and drops off outside the ballpark. The trolley runs every 40 minutes starting at 11:00 a.m. with continuous service throughout and after the game.

• Upcoming Spring Training Game Schedule