Blog Kiosk: 4/3/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Not only does Cody Bellinger lead the Majors in home runs (5), he also now holds the franchise record for most home runs in the first 300 games of their MLB career -- Bellinger with 69, Piazza with 68 and Howard with 55. Per Rowan Kavner at Dodger Insider:

“Even that first at-bat, I think he just missed a homer,” Roberts said. “Then he comes up with bases loaded, stays on the cut fastball. His at-bat qualities, his takes are good. He’s just seeing it really well. I think this is as good as I’ve seen him.”

Photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2019 at Dodger Insider. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1968 the Dodgers traded for left-hander Hank Aguirre from the Tigers for a player to be named later, minor leaguer Fred Moulder. He played one season in Blue, and is better known for being the worst hitter in Major League history -- slashing .085/.117/.108/.225 and striking out an astounding 61% of the time through a 16-year Major League career. In 1974 the Dodgers traded for soon-to-be fan favorite Pedro Guerrero from the Indians in exchange for pitcher Bruce Ellingsen. In 2004 the Dodgers traded Franklin Gutierrez and Andrew Brown to the Indians for outfielder Milton Bradley. 
• Happy Birthday, Wally Moon & Tim Crews!

Blog Kiosk: 12/20/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

During his two terms as President, Dwight D. Eisenhower attended 13 Major League Baseball games -- all of which were at the Senators home field in Washington DC, with exception of just one time. To open the 1956 World Series he gracefully threw out a ceremonial first pitch at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn. Featured above is a Osvaldo Salas photograph of the event, via the National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution. As you can see managers' Casey Stengel and Walter Alston were by his side.

On a side note, following the series loss for the Dodgers Ike spoke with Don Newcombe, saying:

"I think I know how much you wanted to win a World Series game. I for one was pulling for you, but I suggest that when you think over this past season you think of the twenty-seven games you won that were so important in bringing Brooklyn into the World Series."

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1976 the Dodgers traded Ted Sizemore to the Phillies for catcher Johnny Oats and a minor leaguer. In 1989 the Dodgers traded Mike Marshall and Alejandro Peña to the Mets for infielder Juan Samuel. In 2005 the Dodgers signed free agent outfielder Kenny Lofton.
• Happy Birthday, Branch Rickey, Erik Goeddel, Harry Stovey, Bob Hall, Butch Henline, Fred Merkle & Snooks Dowd!

Blog Kiosk: 11/2/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Guess who's in LA?

As you know, today is round 2 of the 'will he, or won't he' Clayton Kershaw sweepstakes, and I think it's getting clearer what the decision will be.

Clayton Kershaw was spotted at the LAFC home game yesterday with teammate Joc Pederson and funnyman Will Ferrell, and I'd be willing to bet that he'll be present for a special announcement today. So, stay tuned!

Photo above via LAFC on twitter. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1976 the Dodgers traded minor league catcher Steven Patchin to the Royals for future Baseball legend Ron Washington. He would wear Dodger Blue for only one season, 1977, getting into just ten games as a 25-year old rookie. -- he slashed .368/.400/.368/.768 with seven singles in 19 at-bats. He is more famed for being a highly regarded manager. In 1977 Tommy John comes in a distant second place in Cy Young voting -- having been beaten by Steve Carlton of the Phillies. John went 20-7 for the Dodgers with an 2.78 ERA, FIP of 3.05, eleven complete games and three shutouts.
• Happy Birthday, George Sharrott, George Bell, Jerry Standaert, Tom Paciorek, Wilson Betemit & Al Campanis! 

Blog Kiosk: 3/23/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Just another vintage spring training pic to get you excited for the upcoming season. Per the descriptor on the reverse:

Dated Mar 6, 1949 - WHITMAN FLIES OUT IN INTRA-SQUAD GAME.  Dick Whitman, Dodger outfielder, flies put in first inning of the first intra-squad game for the Brooklyn club at their Vero Beach, Fla., training camp.  Catcher Lembo and umpire Andrews watch the ball sail to the outfield." (eBay link)

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1951 the Brooklyn Dodgers sign a 21-year lease with the City of Vero Beach to build their spring training facility at an old abandoned Naval base. It would be known as Dodgertown. In 2002 the Dodgers traded Jorge Nunez and Matt Herges to the Expos for Guillermo Mota and Wilkin Ruan.
• Happy Birthday, Barney Koch, Jerry Brooks, Joel Peralta & John Link!

Blog Kiosk: 7/18/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Check out this fantastic Real Photo Postcard (RPPC) of the 1943 Monterrey Industriales of the Mexican League featuring future Dodger backstop and Hall of Famer Roy Campanella (on the far left). To the right is a closer look at the 21-year old catcher. It is currently on auction at RMY Auctions, and I suspect it will sell for a bunch. The auction listing states that this is the earliest known Campanella cardboard collectible.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1939 the Dodgers receive shortstop Pee Wee Reese from the Red Sox in exchange for $35,000, three minor leaguers and a player to be named later. It is later discovered that a poor scouting report filled out by then current Boston shortstop Joe Cronin purposefully downplayed Reese's abilities for fear of losing his job. In 1949 Jackie Robinson testified in front of the House Committee on Un-American Activities to express his disagreement with actor Paul Robeson's assertion that African-Americans would not fight a war against Russia due to America's history of racial animus. In 1957 Gil Hodges hit his 12th career grand slam to tie a National League record held by both Rogers Hornsby and Ralph Kiner.
• Happy Birthday, Johnny Hopp!

Blog Kiosk: 2/2/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Let's hope we see something like this in October.  Shown above are outfielder Willie Davis and third baseman John Kennedy in the midst of celebrating the Dodgers 1965 National League pennant, dated 10/2/1965 (eBay Auction Link).  They had just defeated the Milwaukee Braves, and clinched the title over the hated Giants.  As you know, they would go on to win the franchise's fourth World Championship.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1964 a Hall of Fame Special Veterans Committee elected former Dodgers Burleigh Grimes, Heinie Manush and John Montgomery Ward into the Hall. 
• Happy Birthday, John Tudor, Scott Erickson & Chin-lung Hu!
  

Vintage Pics of Holman Stadium at Dodgertown, Vero Beach from its Opening in 1953

Over the past few days I've been posting up vintage pics (here and here) from an well-known eBay auctioneer named Hyee_Auctions that feature vintage photographic transparencies.  Nearly every Baseball team is available, but none are cooler than the photos featuring the "Boys in Blue" (except for maybe the Yankees pics; which are just as good).  Most of the Dodgers photos available were taken during various spring days over the decades, and the most fantastic ones are in this post.  BTW, these pics were all taken by a duo known as "Cranston & Livia."  If you happen to know who they are please let me know.

Featured here are photographs from the very first game played at Holman Stadium in Dodgertown, Vero Beach, FL - Its Opening Day. The date is March 11, 1953.

At the very top are the stadium flags raised as a part of the Opening Ceremonies (Auction Link Here).  The white flag seen above celebrates the Dodgers National League Pennant in 1952.  Below is Brooklyn Borough President John Cashmore with Walter O'Malley in the stands (Link Here).

(Auction Link)

Below is a view of the crowd in the left field stands (Link Here).  On the right you can see what the players dugout looked like.  Also, the blue flag on the left says "Elmira."  I believe this refers to a town in the western part of New York state; near Ithica.  

(Auction Link)

This last photo is of the Dodgers dugout that sits along the right field line (Link Here).  Roy Campanella (#39) is easily recognizable at the center of the photo.

BTW, the Dodgers won the days game, and Cark Erskine is credited with throwing the very first pitch in the stadium.  Per a letter O'Malley sent to The Sporting News:

“I believe our attendance at the game (opening game for Holman Stadium on March 11th) exceeded the total population of the City of Vero Beach.”

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Blog Kiosk: 5/16/2015 - Dodger Links - Ethier, Dodgers' Hello Kitty Plush Doll and a Fan Ejection?

Here is a fantastic vintage press photo taken by International News, dated March 1, 1954, that I ran across on eBay.  It features several Dodger greats getting some needed practice before the season starts.  After having an impressive rookie campaign the season prior, Junior Gilliam looks to be showing a couple of pitchers how to slide.  After all, all reports I've read indicate that Gilliam had a high Baseball-IQ, and just naturally seemed to understand every part of the game.  Below is what is written on the caption attached to the reverse:

SLIDE, JUNIOR, SLIDE--Vero Beach, Florida.....Second baseman Junior Gilliam slides in under the watchful eye of Field Director Al Campanis at the Dodgers training quarters as pitchers Don Newcombe and Joe Black watch.

Below are some links to check out:

• Via Ron Cervenka at Think Blue LA, "Dodgers announce rain-delay ticket offer for May 25-27 Braves series."
• ICYMI: Kenley Jansen has been reinstated from the DL and reliever Daniel Coulombe has been options back to AAA, via a tweet from @DodgersPR.
• Via Dylan Hernandez at the LA Times, "Dodgers outfielder Andre Ethier is playing like old self."

"It's frustrating, but not everything's going to go good and go the way you want it to be," he said. "You have to grind through things. You're going to have ups and down, not only in the course of the year but in the course of your career. You have to figure out a way to ride them out and keep fighting and keep finding a way to improve and make adjustments."

• Here's an early peek at the Hello Kitty plush Dodger doll that is being given away to fans on Wednesday, July 8th against the Phillies.  Check out the Dodgers promotional schedule here.
• Benjamin Hill at Ben's Biz Blog recently visited Historic Dodgertown and shared a bunch of pics.  Check them out here.
• I wonder if this could potentially be big news for Dodger fans; especially to those who have been locked out due to the cable situation?  Via Timothy Burke at Deadspin, "Judge Grants Class-Action Status To Sports TV Blackout Antitrust Case."  Jon Brodkin at Arstechnica also writes about the lawsuit in more detail.
• This is for the Baseball history buffs out there.  Via Rich Mueller at Sports Collectors Daily, "(Masnori) Murakami to Return to U.S. for Autographs."  Masnori was the first Japanese born player to appear in the major leagues, and he has just finished a new book on his experiences.
• Via David Seideman at Forbes, "Weighing The Risks and Rewards of Investing In Today's Vintage Baseball Card Boom."
• During Thursday's game at the bottom of the ninth inning the home plate umpire is seen moving towards the fans behind him and looked to be motioning at a fan.  The initial reaction by most is that he tried to have a fan ejected from the game; which is rare but certainly within his purview.  I spent some time trying to find out about the incident and came across the below post on reddit, here.  It appears that the flash used by a fan was the problem.  DodgerFilms makes note of the incident at the 10:13 mark in this video here.

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Historic Dodgertown Writes About the Dodgers Connection to Cuba

As relations with the island national of Cuba softens and Spring Training comes to a close for the Dodgers in Arizona, the Historic Dodgertown website put together a timely article that focuses on the Dodgers history of playing in Cuba during Spring.  You can check that out here.

Below is an excerpt:

Prior to making Historic Dodgertown, Vero Beach, Florida their Spring Training base in 1948, the Dodgers trained in Cuba three times, including in 1947. Then Dodger President Branch Rickey sought an isolated location to accommodate Jackie Robinson, the player who would courageously break the color barrier in Major League Baseball on April 15, 1947. From 1900, the Dodgers gained popularity in Cuba, as they frequently played exhibition games there. In 1941-42, the Dodgers held Spring Training camps in Havana. Cuba’s rabid baseball fans appreciated colorful Dodger players like Van Lingle Mungo, Pee Wee Reese, Dolph Camilli and Leo Durocher.

Colorful is putting it lightly. 

No doubt, there a more than a handful of "adult-styled" stories of Dodger misadventures on the island.  Unfortunately, the article at the Historic Dodgertown website doesn't go into any details.  Nevertheless, it's informative and a good read for Dodger history buffs.

BTW, several years ago I interviewed Jim Vitti about his book "Brooklyn Dodgers in Cuba."  He provides background on the Dodger exploits on the island.  You can check that post out here.

Another great thing about the article at the Historic Dodgertown website are the handful of vintage photos that they share; including a pic of several Dodgers shooting guns with Ernest Hemingway.

At the very top, the Brooklyn Dodger players loosen up for another day of Spring Training at Cerveza Tropical Stadium. The stadium in ballplayer jargon, “played big,” as it was reported in the New York Herald Tribune that center field was 505 feet from home plate.

Below is Dodger President Larry MacPhail (left) and Manager Leo Durocher in Havana. MacPhail, the man who first brought stadium lights for a night major league baseball game in Cincinnati, was president of the Dodgers when they won the 1941 National League pennant, their first in 21 seasons. Durocher managed the Dodgers to the 1941 pennant and was later a coach on the 1963 World Championship Los Angeles Dodgers team.

*All photos above courtesy of historicdodgertown.com

-----------------------

(L-R) Historic Dodgertown Vice Presidents Craig Callan, Brady Ballard, Steve Snure, Jeff Biddle and Historic Dodgertown Chairman Peter O’Malley outside the conference center at Historic Dodgertown – Vero Beach, FL.

BTW, History Dodgertown announced today that Steve Snure and Jeff Biddle have each been named Vice President, Historic Dodgertown.

Via the press release:

“Steve Snure is in his 27th year at Historic Dodgertown, starting in 1988 as executive chef during Spring Training for the Dodgers,” said O’Malley. “Steve’s duties expanded to operations manager six years ago and he has always handled his added responsibilities extremely well. 

“Jeff Biddle has been with us since 2009 and he deserves credit for bringing to Historic Dodgertown athletic teams from all over the world year-round. He understands the business of attracting and accommodating unique teams. Steve and Jeff will continue to work closely with longtime Vice President Craig Callan, as well as Vice President Brady Ballard.” 

Congrats, guys.  One of these days I'll have to venture out to Vero Beach and check out the old place.  It's been years since I've visited and I sorely miss the place.

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Dodgers Notes from Spring Training: Pitchers & Catchers Workout #6

Throughout Spring Training the Dodgers PR department sends out helpful daily notes from Camelback Ranch, and I am happy to pass them along.  See what they've written below.

--------------------------

(Puig and Uribe, via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2015)

PRESENT AND ACCOUNTED FOR: Today marked the sixth and final day of workouts for pitchers and catchers only as all 61 players are in camp and ready to go for tomorrow’s first full-squad workout of 2015.

• Several Dodgers fired their third bullpen of the spring this morning, including Clayton Kershaw, Daniel Coulombe, Brandon League, Joe Wieland, Brandon McCarthy, Chris Hatcher, David Huff and Ryan Buchter. Submarine-style right-hander Ben Rowen threw his first “official” bullpen of the spring.
• Several special guests arrived at Camelback Ranch-Glendale yesterday or today, including Hall of Famers Sandy Koufax and Tommy Lasorda, Dodger President and CEO Stan Kasten and Dodger Executive Vice President and CMO Lon Rosen.

A NEW CHAD: This morning, the Dodgers announced the signing of right-handed pitcher Chad Gaudin. Gaudin was signed to a minor league deal with an invite to Spring Training. He will wear No. 30, following infielder Darwin Barney’s switch from No. 30 to No. 6 yesterday. Gaudin didn’t waste any time getting acclimated, as he also threw his first bullpen this morning at Camelback Ranch-Glendale. 

(Shawn Zarraga and Chad Gaudin, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2015)

HURRY UP AND GET WELL: Dodger Manager Don Mattingly announced this morning that left-handed starter Hyun-Jin Ryu was experiencing some mid-back tightness and would not participate on the field today. After throwing his first bullpen yesterday, starter Zack Greinke has now returned to his normal schedule. 

DODGERTOWN DIGEST: It was announced today by Historic Dodgertown Chairman Peter O’Malley that the feature story “Haven of Tolerance” by scholar, historian and author Jerald Podair is now available on the historicdodgertown.com website. In the article, Podair writes, “Dodgertown was more than just an incubator of talent. Its significance extends beyond the playing field and into the social and racial history of Florida, the South, and America as a whole.” Dodgertown advanced the cause of civil rights and in 1962, Holman Stadium was integrated for all fans. Local schools didn’t become integrated until seven years later. Historic Dodgertown, was named a “Florida Heritage Landmark” on Nov. 10, 2014, with a historical marker now displayed on site. Podair is a professor of history and American studies at Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisc. His feature may be accessed through the “History” section of historicdodgertown.com.

(Running Drills, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2015)

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Historic Dodgertown in Vero Beach is Now a Florida Heritage Landmark

Well... It's about time!

This coming Monday, November 10th at noon, a special ceremony will be held along a well-known path between Holman Stadium and Historic Dodgertown’s all-purpose conference center.  They will unveil a two-sided marker (shown above) that designates the Dodgers former Spring Training home, Historic Dodgertown, as an Florida Heritage Landmark.  It says:

Baseball and Dodgertown

Dodgertown was the spring training facility of the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers.  Originally part of a World War II Naval Air Station, Dodgertown became the spring training home of the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1948, when local business leader Bud Holman convinced the Dodgers to set up a spring training facility in Vero Beach.  Here, Dodger President Branch Rickey sought to create a "baseball campus" where players could live and play together.  Dodgertown was the South's first racially integrated spring training camp, where 600-plus players from the Brooklyn Dodgers 26 minor league teams played.  Hall of Famer players Jackie Robinson and Roy Campanella were among the first African American players to train here.  In 1953, Dodger President Walter O'Malley privately built the 6,500-seat Holman Stadium, a state-of-the-art ball park at Dodgertown.  During its history, 6 World Championships and 14 National League Pennant-winning teams played at Dodgertown.  In 2001, the Dodgers sold Dodgertown to Indian River County, then leased it back until 2008, when their spring training facilities moves west to Arizona.  In 2012, the O'Malley family stepped up to manage historic Dodgertown as a year-round multi-sport complex.

For anyone who has ever visited Dodgertown you know how incredible the place is.  It's a quaint little baseball hamlet surrounded by palm trees and ball fields more reminiscent of a small town little league park rather than a Major League facility.  It's that kind of charm that endeared fans to Dodgertown, and transformed the former Naval Station into a must visit Baseball mecca. 

Over my life I've had an opportunity to visit during spring training on four different occasions and each time was an absolute blast.  There was no place better to chat it up with other fans, and no facility provided fans the kind of closeness it allowed to the players.  I still think back about how uniquely wonderful Dodgertown was, and feel bad that Dodger fans today will never have an opportunity to experience it.

Per a press release:

Participating in the ceremonies at noon are Hall of Fame Dodger Manager Tommy Lasorda, as well as O’Malley and other Dodger legends, who are serving as instructors at the 53rd Los Angeles Dodgers Adult Baseball Camp from November 9-15 at Historic Dodgertown. Instructors include Ron Cey, Tommy Davis, Steve Garvey, Mickey Hatcher, Ken Landreaux, Rick Monday, Jerry Reuss, Maury Wills and Steve Yeager. Lasorda and former National League umpire Bruce Froemming will be guest instructors. Former Dodger scout Guy Wellman serves as the camp coordinator as he has since the first camp in 1983.

Per Peter O'Malley:

“This recognition is appropriate because of Historic Dodgertown’s significance in baseball history. It truly is unique and we appreciate the efforts of all those involved to gain this special designation.”

Here is something I did not know about Dodgertown.  Walter O'Malley built a golf course in Dodgertown called Dodgertown Golf Club and it was the first integrated golf course in Vero Beach.  O'Malley had wanted his African-American ballplayers to have an opportunity to enjoy the game, since they couldn't anywhere else.

Check out the Historic Dodgertown website here for information about the facility.  Today, it is a year-round, multi-sport training site and conference center for all manner of sport.  You can also check out a bunch of photos from my past Dodgertown spring training adventures here.

The photo at the very top courtesy of Historic Dodgertown – Vero Beach, Fla.

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Blog Kiosk: 6/18/2014 - Dodger Links - Dodgers Sign 1st Round Pick, Carl Crawford's Setback and Taylor Swift

A bunch of LA Kings players came out to Dodger Stadium yesterday with the Cup in tow, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014.  Jon Rosen at LA Kings Insider shares a bunch of pics and videos on the Kings night at Dodger Stadium, and so does Jon SooHoo here.

• Via JP Hoornstra at Inside the Dodgers, "Carl Crawford returns to Los Angeles for MRI on sprained left ankle."

“I’m not quite sure where the setback came,” Mattingly said. “He was running pretty well a couple weeks ago.”

• You must check out the Historic Dodgertown Website.  They just put up an exclusive never-before-seen vintage video that features the 1951 Dodgers working out during Spring Training in Vero Beach that is in color.  Check it out here. 

“We are pleased to share this rare footage in tribute to longtime New York sportswriter Gus Steiger, who had this original film and passed it along to his son, Joel,” said Peter O’Malley, Historic Dodgertown chairman. “I knew Gus and he had the respect of everyone in the Dodger organization.”

Joel Steiger, featured in the film as a boy exploring Dodgertown, said, “The original film is edited to four and a half minutes. Our family is happy that it is available for Dodger fans everywhere. I was fortunate to travel to Dodgertown as a boy on several occasions and visit this historic place. I have many great memories of it and the people there.”

• Ah... What?  Via Mike Oz at Big League Stew, "MLB teams join in Twitter sing-along of Taylor Swift song."  The Dodger twitter feed was a major participant - surely making Clayton Kershaw proud.  He recently professed his love of her music, via a story by Jimmy Traina at FoxSports.  A quote from Kershaw is below:

"By the way, if you don't like Taylor Swift, you're just lying to yourself. If you're a dude and you think you're too cool to like her, just get over yourself, really."

• A fan (Jeevers0192) at the Dodger Reddit shared a bunch of photos from a bicycle tour of Brooklyn - going to important Dodger landmarks along the way.  Check out the photos here on imgur.
• Mark Saxon at ESPNLosAngeles.com informs us that Dodger 3rd baseman Jamie Romak and Kings centerman Jeff Carter grew up playing Baseball and hockey together in London, Ontario.  Then, JP Hoornstra at Inside the Dodgers tells us that Jamie's grandfather was a professional hockey player.
• Via Andy Fixmer at Mashable, the Dodgers radio broadcast has increased 48% due to the TV lockout.
• The Dodgers have signed their 2014 1st Round Draft Pick Grant Holmes.  Via Jon Heyman on twitter, he will receive more than $2.4Mil.

It's official, I am a Dodger Mom! @GHolmes_14 @Dodgers #blessed pic.twitter.com/ZGcvxB3c4W
— ⚾Cherlyn Holmes (@Cherlyn4414) June 18, 2014

• Yasiel Puig recently shared a photo on instagram of himself with his beautiful baby boy.

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Hideo Nomo Makes Triumphant Return to Historic Dodgertown

After being elected, on the the first ballot, to the Japan Baseball Hall of Fame, Hideo Nomo returned to Vero Beach, Florida to check out Historic Dodgertown this past weekend.  As you may know, he joined former teammate Chan Ho Park and former Dodger owners Peter O'Malley and Terry O'Malley Seidler as Founding Partners of this new sports facility that was once home to the Dodgers during Spring Training.

From a recent press release:

When asked about Historic Dodgertown’s influence on his career, Nomo said,” This was the very first place that I was exposed to the Major Leagues upon joining the Dodgers.  Baseball was my life, it was everything to me at that time and I was so inspired to perform well because I felt the history and the atmosphere.  Historic Dodgertown was very important because much of my career was with the Dodgers, and with people like Peter O’Malley and Tommy Lasorda. “ 

Nomo was touring the facility as several high school and college Baseball athletes, along with a Junior College Women's Softball tournament, was in town at Historic Dodgertown.

“I wish for this to be a place where people can come back to see both what it was and also what it is now.  To preserve the history of a place that was home to people Jackie Robinson and Sandy Koufax is special, and I hope kids can feel the nostalgia while also creating new memories for themselves”, said Nomo.

I think it's great that these former Dodgers have decided to keep the place alive.  I fondly remember my trips to Dodgertown some 10 years ago, and miss it a great deal.  Dodgertown in Vero Beach had such homey feel to it.  It was like visiting a little league ballfield, and it had all of the quaint charm and nostalgia you would expect.

The best thing of all is that they still have the street signs at the facility, as evidenced by the photo below.  Hideo Nomo stands at Sand Koufax Lane.  Go here to learn more about Historic Dodgertown.

All photos above: Photo credit: Historic Dodgertown – Vero Beach, Fla.

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