Blog Kiosk: 12/19/2015 - Dodger Links - Some Odds and Ends

I want to do what these kids above are doing - so badly!

Yesterday, the Dodgers held their LADF Children’s Holiday Party at Dodger Stadium, and pulled out all the stops to make it a fun day.  As you can see in the photos taken by Jon SooHoo, they constructed a snow sledding course that had to be the big hit of the day.  They also handed out a bunch of gifts and several Dodger players came out to greet and sign for fans; including Justin Turner and Hyun-Jin Ryu.  Go here to check out a bunch of great photos.  You can watch an interview with Turner from the event here.

If Ryu went down that course please tell me there's a video.  Please!  Below are more links to check out:

• Via Jon Heyman at CBS Sports, "Yasiel Puig bar fight may not have been as bad as it sounded initially."

Word from someone briefed on the encounter is that Puig originally tried to play peacemaker between his sister and her boyfriend, but was asked to leave after getting a bit loud. There may have been some disagreement about how quickly he was leaving, and bar workers are said to have physically escorted him out.

Apparently, he got hit in the eye during the escorting process, then after he broke free from their grip or they let him go, he apparently retaliated with a shot to one of the rougher bar workers.

• Grant Bisbee, who typically writes for an enemy blog from up north, pens a piece for SB Nation that attempts to calm the guffaws of opposing fans; "Don't write the Dodgers off yet, you fools."

Regardless of what they do, it's not time to label the Dodgers' offseason a failure. It's been weird, sure. Filled with stops and starts and surprises. But it's not over, and they don't have to make a mega-whopper deal for Fernandez to salvage anything. They still have options, and the means to acquire just about anything worth acquiring. Writing them off seems like a good way to look silly later on.

• The Dodgers made a minor trade yesterday with the Mariners.  They acquired left-handed relief pitcher Tyler Olson for an undisclosed amount of cash - and a box of Baseballs; LOL.  BTW, Olson had been DFA'd by the Mariners a couple of days ago.  Via a press release:

The Los Angeles Dodgers today acquired left-handed pitcher Tyler Olson from the Mariners in exchange for cash considerations or a player to be named later. To create room on the 40-man roster, Los Angeles designated right-handed pitcher Daniel Reynolds for assignment.

Olson, 26, saw his first big league action with Seattle last year, going 1-1 with a 5.40 ERA in 11 relief appearances, and also appeared in 25 games (six starts) with Triple-A Tacoma, where he went 3-5 with a 4.47 ERA. In three minor league seasons in the Mariners’ organization, he posted a 17-17 record with a 3.86 ERA in 70 games (41 starts) after being selected by Seattle in the seventh round of the 2013 First-Year Player Draft out of Gonzaga.

• Former Dodger prospect Allen Webster, who was traded to the Red Sox as a key piece to that blockbuster that netted us AGon, has been released by the Pirates, via Stephen J. Nesbitt at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.  He is expected to sign with a team in Korea.

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Mailbag - My First Agon & Webster Autographed Cards

I've got this cold that will not go away.  So, in a less-than-healthy stupor, I found myself perusing the eBay aisles for something to add to my collection.  There's nothing like doing some online shopping while stuck in bed.

Fortunately, I found a couple of great deals that fit perfectly into my collection.  On top of that, they are my first autographed cards of these players.  Check them out below.

It's been a fruitful past couple of weeks.  I received my very first Adrian Gonzalez autographed card, that you can see above.  He is sporting a Team Mexico uniform from the recent WBC tournament.  It is a 2013 Topps Tribute WBC autographed card.

Even thought he may no longer be in Dodger Blue (he was a part of the trade that sent AGon to us) I wanted to snag an Allen Webster autographed card before he ends up being as good as some say.  It is a 2012 Bowman gold parallel card (numbered 137 out of 250) of Allen Webster.

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Blog Kiosk: 4/9/2013 - Kershaw Named Player of the Week

Clayton Kershaw has been named National League Player of the Week.  Pic via twitter @Dodger.  From a Dodgers press release:

Kershaw went 2-0 in two starts last week and did not allow a single earned run in a Major League-high 16.0 innings of work. His 0.00 ERA ranked tied for first among Major League starters. His two victories ranked tied for first in the Majors and were tops in the N.L., while his 16 strikeouts were good for third-most in the Senior Circuit.

Furthermore, Kershaw walloped a home run on Opening Day to help his own cause.

• BTW, Jon Heyman at CBS passed along a tidbit that although a new long term deal for Kershaw doesn't appear imminent, it is likely already over the $200 Million mark.
• Just awesome!  GCRL shares the completion of his 1978 Fleer grand slam hi-gloss baseball stickers reverse poster of Dodger Stadium.
• "He interviewed Jackie Robinson near the end," via Ron Rapoport at LA Observed Native Intelligence.  Hat Tip: Jon Weisman at Dodger Thoughts.  Jon is right.  This is a must read for anyone interested in Jackie Robinson.
• "Carl Crawford is loving the fresh breezes of L.A.," via Mark Saxon at ESPN.

“You see how loose Matt is right now going through it. That’s how I was,” Crawford said. “I’m like, ‘I’m going to hit.’ I was exactly the same way. He’s not stressing or worried, but if he was in Boston right now, they’d probably be ready to trade him, you know? “

• "Ramon Hernandez ready for new role with Dodgers," via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA.

"This is one of the best pitching staffs in the major leagues. You have Kershaw, Greinke, Beckett. You're talking about number ones and number twos," Hernandez said. "They have so many good pitchers I forgot to name a few."

• LA Times reporter and Hockey Hall of Fame member Helene Elliott has more details about the proposed hockey game at Dodger Stadium in 2014.

The game would be played at night to avoid sun on the ice. The rink could be in place a week before and a week afterward to stage community events, minor league games or alumni games with Dodger Stadium as a stunning backdrop. The Kings are considering designing a special commemorative uniform that would be worn only for that game.

• This does not make me happy.  Red Sox President Larry Lucchino at WEEI recently remarked:

On last summer’s trade with the Dodgers: “We got a lot of what we wanted. Ben [Cherington] did an excellent job with the pitchers [Allen Webster and Rubby De La Rosa], and holding out for both of them. We would have been happy I think to get one. We were really pleased to get two.”

So, are you telling me that we could have gotten away with just trading one of those guys?  Son of a ....!

• Kenny Shulsen at Lasorda's Lair shares a talk he recently had with Dodgers GM Ned Colletti.
• Steve Wulf at ESPN writes about how Topps has kept the magic of Baseball cards alive for 62 years.
• Mike Oz at Big League Stew writes: ‘The Sandlot’ turns 20: Stories from the cast on the film’s 20th anniversary.

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2012 Topps Heritage Minor Leagues Set Just Released- Check Out the Dodgers Cards

Even with the season coming to a close more Baseball card sets get released.  This past Wednesday, Topps officially unveiled their 2012 Topps Heritage Minor League set to the masses.  As you can guess, this set is geared to the prospect collector and includes several top ranked Dodger youngsters.  Check out the base cards below.  Also, several of the autographed insert cards of Dodgers prospects are featured below.

113 Logan Bawcom

Check out Logan on twitter at @LoganBawcom. 

165 Joc Pederson

This guy has been hitting the heck out of the ball in Rancho Cucamonga.   

167 Pratt Maynard

193 Allen Webster 

As you know, Allen Webster is no longer a Dodger farmhand.  He was traded to Boston as a part of the deal that sent Adrian Gonzalez, Josh Beckett and Carl Crawford to the Dodgers.

205 Zach Lee  

Here is Mr. Untouchable.  This is the prospect everyone wanted, but no one could have.  Even with all of the activity on the trade front the Dodgers were still able to keep their No. 1 pitching prospect.  BTW, this card is a "short printed" base card, so he is wanted in more ways than one.

Below are the "Real One Autographed" insert cards of Dodgers prospects that can be found in this set.

ROA-JP Joc Pederson 

ROA-PM Pratt Maynard 

This is a "Real One Dual" autographed card that features Zach Lee and Joc Pederson.

ROD-LP Zach Lee - Joc Pederson

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Dodgers Blog Kiosk: 8/1/2012

The photo above was tweeted last night by Shane Victorino.  He is on his way to Dodger Stadium.  (pic via twitter @ShaneVictorino)

• Matt Kemp now has his own website.  Check it out here. (Hat Tip: Vin Scully is My Homeboy)
• Dodgers photograph Jon SooHoo posted up a bunch of pics from a 2004 photo shoot that includes some young and green aspiring Major Leaguers; including a young Kemp, Victorino, Ellis, etc.
• Ken Rosenthal writes "Why the Dodgers Didn't Get Dempster."

They had four young pitchers whom they refused to trade for a potential free agent such as right-hander Ryan Dempster. And they ultimately lost Dempster to the Texas Rangers when none of their other offers satisfied the Chicago Cubs.

The four untouchables in the Dempster talks, according to major-league sources, were right-handers Zach Lee, Allen Webster and Rubby De La Rosa, and left-hander Chris Reed.

• Bobby Abreau has been designated for assignment to allow Shane Victorino onto the roster, via a Dodgers press release.
• In other recent Dodger signings, apparently Ned Colletti made a move to sign another former Dodger, via twitter @VladimirShpunt.

• Mr. Grumpy, Kirk Gibson, is not a fan of his bobblehead, via Andrew L. John at the LA Times.

“I think it’s totally ridiculous,” said Gibson, who is in town as the manager of the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Dodgers face the Diamondbacks Tuesday and Wednesday.

“It’s not my style, to be honest with you," Gibson said. “Yeah, I do have a history here. It was a very cool thing that happened while I was here. I got to experience a world championship with some great teammates.”

• Chad Moriyama gifcap's the heck out of Hairston's error last night, and I am thankful for it.
• The Jolly Tomato writes a review of Dodger Stadium culinary delights.  (Hat Tip: Dodger Thoughts)
• Check out this incredible Letter of Note.  The only nephew of Hitler sents a letter to President Roosevelt seeking his help in allowing him to fight under the stars and stripes.  He had previously been denied because of his last name.  

Your favorable decision on my appeal alone would ensure that continued benevolent spirit on the part of the American people, which today I feel so much a part of. I most respectfully assure you, Mr. President, that as in the past I would do my utmost in the future to be worthy of the great honour I am seeking through your kind aid, in the sure knowledge that my endeavors on behalf of the great principles of Democracy will at least bear favourable comparison to the activities of many individuals who for so long have been unworthy of the fine privilege of calling themselves Americans.

• Have you ever wondered how they make those memorabilia/relic infused cards?  Well, Panini shares a video showing the entire process.

Video Link:

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2012 Bowman Platinum Baseball- Dodgers Base & Prospect Cards

The 2012 Bowman Platinum Baseball set is officially out.  Unfortunately, it is extremely light on Dodger players.  Heck, for a set geared more towards prospects it's disappointing there is only one Dodger prospect card in the bunch- Allen Webster.  On the other hand, I'm not sure Topps is to blame for that.  The Dodgers are a little light in that department.

Below are pics of the 3 Dodger base cards and the 1 prospect card.  Furthermore, there appears to be only 2 autographed/ relic cards of a Dodger player.  There is a Andre Ethier autographed relic card (#AR-AE and now seen at the very bottom) and a Hexagraph 6 autograph book card that includes Clayton Kershaw (#HBC2) among other pitching aces.  Unfortunately, both of these cards have a redemption enclosed in packs instead of the actual card, so I can't show you what they look like.  UPDATE:  BTW, there are also Purely Platinum autographed cards of both Matt Kemp (#PP-MK) and Clayton Kershaw (#PP-CK) available, but they are both "1 of 1's" and have yet to make an appearance in the hobby.

Dodgers Base Cards

#7 Matt Kemp

#31 Andre Ethier

#55 Clayton Kershaw

Dodgers Prospect Cards

#BPP47 Allen Webster

UPDATE:  Here are pics of some of the 2012 Bowman Platinum autographed cards.

#AR-AE Andre Ethier

eBay: Allen Webster Can Draw!

With rumors circling that Dodgers prospect Allen Webster may be a commodity on the trading market, I thought I would share a little card of his that I ran into on eBay. 

This is a 2010 Topps Sketch card, and as you can see it has been personally drawn on by Webster.  Considering the other cards I've seen drawn by players this ain't too bad. 

It didn't sell on eBay due to its high asking price.  See the auction here.

(Auction Link)

2012 Topps Pro Debut- Dodgers Base Cards

If you love the Minor Leagues then this set is for you.  Last week Topps released their 2012 Pro Debut set that features prospects for every team.  There are 6 Dodger farmhands in the set.  Check them all out below.

#29, Allen Webster

Chattanooga Lookouts

#125, Justin Boudreaux

Ogden Raptors

#131, O'Keyea Dickson

Ogden Raptors

#208, Joc Pederson

Ogden Raptors

#212, Devin Shines

Ogden Raptors

#217, Alfredo Silverio

Chattanooga Lookouts

Dodgers Notes from Spring Training- Game 31

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

Arizona Diamondbacks (11-17-2) at LOS ANGELES DODGERS (14-12-4)

Sunday, April 1, 2012 – 1:05 p.m., Camelback Ranch - Glendale

RHP Chad Billingsley vs. RHP Daniel Hudson

Spring Game 31/Home Game 15

Todays Starting Lineup:

Dodgers: @skinnyswag9 SS, M Ellis 2B, @jamesloney_7 1B, Hairston CF, Gwynn RF, Fields 3B, Cruz LF, @AJEllis17 C, Billingsley RHP
Diamondbacks: Hudson 1, Hill 4, Upton 9, Kubel 7, Young 8, Goldschmidt 3, Roberts 5, Budde 2, Bloomquist 6

Upcoming Spring Training Schedule:

(via Twitter @TheRealMattKemp)

• D-BACKS-TO-BACK: The Dodgers and Diamondbacks meet for the second consecutive day as Los Angeles plays its Cactus League finale today at Camelback Ranch. The National League West rivals will meet 18 times during the regular season, starting with a two-game series on May 14 and 15 at Dodger Stadium. Last year, the NL-West champion Diamondbacks won the season series with the Dodgers, 10-8.

  The Dodgers would like to thank all the fans in the Valley of the Sun for a great fourth season in the Cactus League and extend the team’s gratitude to all the Camelback Ranch staff for their hospitality this spring as the club plays its final home game of 2012 in Glendale. Through 14 home games, the Dodgers have averaged 8,000 fans at CR-G, including the two largest crowds in Cactus League history.

• HURLERS: RHP Chad Billingsley will make his sixth spring start today in his final tuneup before his regular season debut on Friday at San Diego. Each of Billingsley’s Cactus League starts have been at Camelback Ranch this spring with the 27-year-old allowing three runs in 5.2 innings in his previous outing on Monday against the White Sox. He will be followed to the hill by:

  ● RHP Matt Guerrier will make his fourth appearance of the spring after allowing a run in his inning of relief on Friday against the Brewers. Prior to that, Guerrier’s last appearance came on March 11 with the 33-year-old missing time due to a back injury.

  ● Four of the Dodgers’ top minor league arms will suit up for today’s game with RHP Allen Webster, RHP Shawn Tolleson, RHP Logan Bawcom and LHP Eric Eadington. Tolleson, the Dodgers’ 2011 Minor League Pitcher of the Year, last pitched with the big league club on Friday against the Brewers and has limited opposing hitters to a .143 batting average (1-for-7) in three appearances with the Dodgers this spring. Bawcom, who led all Dodger minor leaguers with 27 combined saves with Rancho Cucamonga and Great Lakes last season, has appeared in three big league games this spring, including an inning of relief on Friday against the Cubs. Webster enters 2012 ranked as the club’s No. 2 by Baseball America and allowed two runs (one earned) in 1.0 inning on March 23 against the White Sox in Tucson. Eadington, a 24-year-old out of Harvard, posted a 0.83 ERA (2 ER/21.2 IP) last season in 18 relief appearances with the AZL Dodgers and Ogden.

('@AJEllis17 got his. Get your own Dodger Stadium Replica pres. by State Farm on 4/14! via Twitter @Dodgers)

• AND THE MULVEY GOES TO…: Congratulations to Nathan Eovaldi on winning the Dodgers’ 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 accomplishment. The 22-year-old went 1-1 with a 1.72 ERA (3 ER/15.2 IP) in five games (four starts) in Cactus League play, while limiting opposing hitters to a .233 batting average. Eovaldi will make his final start of the exhibition season against the Angels on Wednesday at Dodger Stadium. 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.

• RACE TO THE FINISH: Clayton Kershaw made his final spring start, allowing three runs on six hits in 3.2 innings, and the Dodgers scored six late runs to down the D-backs, 9-3, yesterday at Salt River Fields. Dee Gordon went 2-for-3 with a run scored, an RBI and his 11^th steal of the exhibition season and Matt Angle slugged his first home run of the spring with a two-run shot in the eighth. The Dodger bullpen combined for 5.1 scoreless innings in relief of Kershaw, including 1.2 innings by Scott Rice and 1.1 innings from Ronald Belisario (2-0), who picked up the win.

  With yesterday’s win, the Dodgers clinched their first winning Cactus League campaign since joining the league in 2009. Additionally, at 14-12 with four exhibition games left, the club is seeking its first winning Spring Training since going 17-16-1 in 2007.

(Pic Via Twitter Jon SooHoo @Dodgers)

• ROSTER UPDATE: Following yesterday’s game, the Dodgers optioned OF Trent Oeltjen to minor league camp. Thirty-six players remain in Major League camp, including RHP Blake Hawksworth and RHP Rubby De La Rosa, who will start the season on the disabled list.

• 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 (.397, T-4^th), steals (11, 2^nd), runs (16, 1^st) and on-base percentage (.470, 3^rd), while Ethier leads the league with 43 total bases, is tied for the league lead with 16 RBI, nine doubles and three triples and leads the Dodgers in slugging percentage (.896).

• LEAVE THE LIGHT ON: The Dodgers will pack up and leave Arizona for Southern California following today’s game against the Diamondbacks at Camelback Ranch – Glendale. The Freeway Series against the Angels gets underway tomorrow night in Anaheim (7:05 p.m.) with games on Tuesday night (7:10 p.m.) and Wednesday afternoon (12:10 p.m.) at Dodger Stadium. Fans can get their first in-person look at the 2012 Dodgers by visiting Dodgers.com or calling 866-DODGERS.

Dodgers Notes from Spring Training- Game 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 (9-6-4) at Chicago White Sox (7-11)

Friday, March 23, 2012 – 1:05 p.m., Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium

RHP Nathan Eovaldi vs. RHP Dylan Axelrod

Spring Game 20/Road Game 10

Todays Starting Lineup:

Dodgers: @skinnyswag9 SS, M Ellis 2B, @TheRealMattKemp CF, Ethier RF, Rivera 1B, Gwynn LF, Hairston 3B, @AJEllis17 C, Fields DH
White Sox: Saladino 2B, Morel 3B, Dunn DH, Alexei Ramirez SS, Fukudome RF, Flowers C, Viciedo, LF, McPherson 1BDanks CF

Upcoming Spring Training Schedule:

There is a split squad games this afternoon. The Dodgers also play the Kansas City Royals in Surprise, AZ at 1:05 PM. Below is that starting lineup:

Dodgers: Angle CF, Sands RF, @jamesloney_7 1B, Uribe 3B, Kennedy 2B, Treanor C, Oeltjen LF, Sellers SS, Harang P
Royals: Dyson 8 Escobar 6 Maier DH Butler 3 Moose 5 Yuni 4 Bourgeois 7 Golson 9 Quintero 2 Hoch 1

(Don Mattingly signing for fans, pic via Jon SooHoo/ LA Dodgers 2012)

• IN LOVING MEMORY: The Dodgers and White Sox will meet for game three of their five-game Cactus League series, but the importance of today’s game in Tucson reaches far beyond baseball. All of the proceeds from the game at Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium this afternoon will go 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 consecutive 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 are 2-0 against the White Sox this spring. The rest of the club is in Surprise today, taking on the Royals.

• ONE DAY LULL: Despite getting shut out on Wednesday by the Padres, the Dodgers enter play today with the third best on-base percentage among National League teams (.347) and the fourth-best slugging percentage (.444). On the hill, the club’s team ERA is 3.46, which ranks fourth among NL squads.

(Tony Gwynn Jr signing for fans, pic via Jon SooHoo/ LA Dodgers 2012)

• NATE THE GREAT: Dodger right-hander Nathan Eovaldi will start for the club in Tucson today after tossing 3.0 scoreless innings in his last start on March 17 vs. the Rockies in Scottsdale. Eovaldi has made three appearances this month (two starts) and allowed just one run in 7.2 innings of work. The Texas native was selected in the 11^th round of the 2008 draft and signed after originally committing to pitch at Texas A&M. Following Eovaldi to the mound in Tucson today will be:

  ● LHP Allen Webster is set to make his Cactus League debut, along with several other Dodger minor leaguers. Webster enters 2012 ranked by Baseball America as the club’s No. 2 prospect after combining to go 11-5 with a 4.03 ERA at Single-A Rancho Cucamonga (nine starts) and Double-A Chattanooga (17 starts) last season.

  ● RHP Ethan Martin was the Dodgers’ first round draft choice (No. 15 overall) in 2008 and was promoted to Double-A Chattanooga on June 26 last season. With the Lookouts, he went 5-3 with a 4.02 ERA in 21 games (three starts).

  ● LHP Chris Reed was the club’s first-round draft choice (No. 16 overall) in 2011 after earning Pac-10 Honorable Mention honors for Stanford last year. Reed made three appearances for Single-A Rancho Cucamonga last year after finishing out his collegiate career.

  ● RHP Zach Lee was taken with the No. 28 pick in 2010 and signed despite having a shot to play quarterback for the LSU Tigers. According to Baseball America, Lee is the top prospect in the Dodger system and the No. 62 prospect overall. The Texas native went 9-6 with a 3.47 ERA in 24 starts for Single-A Great Lakes last season.

  ● RHP Angel Sanchez is a native of the Dominican Republic and went 8-4 with a 2.82 ERA in 20 games (16 starts) for Single-A Great Lakes in 2012.

  ● RHP Shawn Tolleson made his Cactus League debut last Saturday night vs. the Giants and allowed a run in his 1.0 inning. Tolleson was the Dodgers’ Branch Rickey Minor League Player of the Year last season after going a combined 7-2 with 25 saves and a 1.17 ERA in 57 appearances over the three levels.

• ROSTER MOVE: Yesterday, the Dodgers designated RHP Ramon Troncoso for assignment and reinstated RHP Ronald Belisario from the restricted list. Due to Major League rule 16(d), Belisario had to be removed from the restricted list 30 days after reporting to Spring Training. The native of Venezuela will serve a 25-game suspension in 2012 due to a violation of Major League Baseball’s Joint Drug Prevention Program.

(Dee Gordon turing a double play, pic via Jon SooHoo/ LA Dodgers 2012)

• BOUNCE BACK: The Dodgers lost to the Padres, 3-0 on Wednesday, mustering just four scattered singles and a double by Jerry Hairston Jr. On the mound, RHP Jamey Wright fired 2.0 scoreless innings while Mike MacDougal, Scott Rice, Kenley Jansen, John Grabow, Ronald Belisario and Fernando Nieve each tossed a scoreless frame.

• 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.

• RUN THIS TOWN TONIGHT: The 7th Annual LA Sports Awards will air on FOX Sports West tonight at 10:30 p.m., immediately following the Lakers game. The show was recorded March 15 and National League Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw received the 2011 Sportsman of the Year award. In addition to Kershaw’s honor, the Dodgers also were involved in two of the Top-10 moments for 2011. Kershaw’s Cy Young Award-winning season was No. 2, while Matt Kemp’s MVP runner-up campaign was the No. 4 Los Angeles sports moment in 2011.
  

Dodgers Notes from Spring Training- Day 3

Pitching drills during Spring Training (Pic via Twitter: @DylanHernandez)

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

• ClaYton’s BACK: Reigning National League Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw threw his first official bullpen of the spring this morning, after being pushed back a couple of days due to mild back stiffness. Right-handed reliever Mike MacDougal also returned to the mound after being pushed back a day due to the same ailment as Kershaw. Four-fifths of the Dodgers’ projected starting rotation toed the rubber today as Aaron Harang, Chad Billingsley and Ted Lilly joined Kershaw on the hill. In addition to the aforementioned hurlers, Jamey Wright, Fernando Nieve, Angel Guzman, Wilfredo Ledezma, Josh Lindblom, Nathan Eovaldi, Chris Withrow, Scott Rice, Ryan Tucker and Michael Antonini threw bullpen sessions today.

(Kershaw during first bullpen session, piv via Jon SooHoo twitter @Dodgers)

• TED’S EXCELLENT ARRIVAL: Dodger left-hander Ted Lilly reported to camp today and threw his first bullpen following a two-day absence to witness the birth of his daughter Nora on Tuesday. In addition to Lilly, new Dodger outfielder Matt Angle, who was claimed off outright waivers from Baltimore yesterday, reported to Camelback Ranch – Glendale. A few position players were also spotted in the Dodger clubhouse, including Matt Kemp, James Loney, new Dodger second baseman Mark Ellis, Jerry Sands, Tony Gwynn Jr., Alex Castellanos, Alfredo Silverio and Dee Gordon. While many position players are already in camp, the full squad does not officially report until February 27 with the first full-squad workout on the following day.

• BEA GRATEFUL: The Dodgers would like to wish a very happy birthday to longtime organist Nancy Bea Hefley who will enter her 25^th season with the club in 2012. Nancy Bea has a repertoire of over 2,000 songs and last year the Dodger Sports Lab made an excellent video of our birthday girl. The video can be accessed by going to this link:

(Happy Birthday to Dodger organist Nancy Bea Hefley! Pic via twitter @Dodgers)

• THE BIG BOARD: Baseball America released its 23^rd annual Top 100 Prospects list in their most recent issue and three Dodger pitchers were included in the rankings. Right-hander Zach Lee checked in at No. 62 after being 89^th on last year’s list while RHPs Allan Webster (No. 95) and Nathan Eovaldi (No. 96) appeared back-to-back on the list. The latter two are on the club’s 40-man roster and Lee was the club’s first round draft pick in 2010 (No. 28 overall).

• HE’S ALWAYS WRIGHT: Dodger non-roster invitee Jamey Wright threw his second bullpen of the spring today as he looks to make the Dodgers his eighth Major League team following stints in Colorado (1996-99, 2004-05), Milwaukee (2000-02), St. Louis (2002), Kansas City (2003, ‘09), San Francisco (2006), Texas (2007-08), Cleveland (2010) and Seattle (2010-11). Wright was 2-3 with a career-best 3.16 ERA over 60 games with the Mariners last season.
  

• HEY, WHY NOT?: On March 1, the Dodgers will hold their annual open tryout here at Camelback Ranch – Glendale, hosted by the amateur scouting department. The tryout will take place from 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. and potential prospects can call 323-224-1512 for details and instructions.

2011 Bowman Platinum: Dodgers Base Cards

The newest Baseball card set just went live yesterday. It is called Bowman Platinum and it basically consist of two different base sets- one with current Major Leaguers and the other consisting only of prospects. Below are the Dodger cards from those base sets. As always, there are parallels of each card available in limited quantities- some examples of them are below.

24 Andre Ethier

58 Clayton Kershaw

96 Matt Kemp

From the prospect base set.

BPP2 Dee Gordon

BPP6 Zach Lee (Purple refractor parallel)

BPP9 Blake Smith (Green refractor parallel)

BPP46 Leon Landry (Green refractor parallel)

BPP68 Allen Webster (Red refractor parallel)

BPP76 Kyle Russell (X-Factor parallel)