Dodgers Notes from Spring Training: Spring Game 25 / Road Game 13

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.

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Los Angeles Dodgers (12-6-6) at Chicago White Sox (8-11-3)
Thursday, March 26, 2015 – 1:05 p.m. MT | Camelback Ranch

LHP Clayton Kershaw (2-0, 2.03) vs. RHP Brad Penny (1-0, 4.63)
TV: SNLA

Today’s #DodgersST lineup at White Sox: Rollins SS Puig RF Gonzalez 1B Grandal C Kendrick 2B Crawford LF Uribe 3B Ethier CF Kershaw P
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) March 26, 2015

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(Camelback Ranch, via Chris Williams on twitter)

NICE TO SEE YOU AGAIN NEIGHBOR: The Dodgers, who have the Majors’ best spring winning percentage at .667, take on the Chicago White Sox today for the third and final time this spring. The two clubs kicked off the Cactus League schedule on March 4 and 5, splitting the pair of games, a 6-4 Dodger loss in the opener and a 6-1 victory the next day. In just 11 days, the Dodgers will take on the Padres April 6 - Opening Day at Dodger Stadium.

THOSE WINNING WAYS: The Dodgers flexed their muscles in a 9-5 victory over the San Diego Padres yesterday at Camelback Ranch, hitting four home runs and three doubles in the contest. Yasiel Puig and Joc Pederson each hit their team-lead tying fourth homers of the spring while Justin Turner cracked his third and Scott Van Slyke his second. On the mound, Juan Nicasio allowed two runs in 3.0 innings for the victory while J.P. Howell (1.0 IP), David Aardsma (1.0), Paco Rodriguez (1.0) and Yimi Garcia (1.0) all tossed scoreless relief. Rodriguez (7.0 IP) and Garcia (8.1) have not allowed a run all spring. 

• The four home runs give the Dodgers 37 this spring, which leads the Major Leagues. The Cubs are the next closest at 30.

(Puig's HR, via Dodgers on tumblr)

ALL ABOARD: Today the Dodgers announced that the Dodger Stadium Express will return in 2015! LA Metro offers two express services to Dodger Stadium:  The Dodger Stadium Express Union Station and the Dodger Stadium Express South Bay are complimentary services from downtown Los Angeles and the South Bay directly to Dodger Stadium. The Dodger Stadium Express Union Station bus service includes the benefit of enjoying a dedicated bus lane on Sunset Boulevard from Union Station to Elysian Park Ave.  Dodger game-day tickets will be honored as payment to ride the bus service and it will operate 90 minutes before the game and 45 minutes after the game.  Fans can also park at Union Station for $6 and take the Dodger Stadium Express free with a game ticket. For specific route and schedule information, fans can visit www.metro.net/around/dodger-stadium-express or call 323.GO.METRO

• The club will also be adding dedicated prepaid lanes for fans purchasing parking passes in advance for games during the 2015 season. Fans should follow the signage to these designated auto booths at all gates for the dedicated prepaid lanes. To enjoy these dedicated prepaid lanes, the Dodgers encourage fans to purchase their parking in advance to assist in traffic flow and expedite movement through the auto gates. Advance parking prices are $10 and parking at the gate is $20.  The Dodgers also will offer premium parking in advance at $35 and $50 at the gate.  To purchase parking in advance, visit www.dodgers.com/parking.

THEY SAY IT’S YOUR BIRTHDAY: The Dodgers would like to wish a very happy birthday to former infielder and current Special Assistant, Player Personnel Jose Vizcaino. “Vizzy” joined the Dodger front office after retiring as a player in 2006 and, in his playing days, spent his first two years in Los Angeles (1989-90) before joining the squad again from 1998-2000. Vizcaino’s career spanned 18 seasons and he played for the Dodgers (1989-90, 1998-2000), Cubs (1991-93), Mets (1994-96), Indians (1996), Giants (1997, 2006), Yankees (2000), Astros (2001-05) and Cardinals (2006). 

(Pederson's HR, via Dodgers on tumblr)

THE YOUNG BUCK: Joc Pederson has posted a .409/.447/.773 slashline this spring and ranks among the NL leaders in runs (11, T-1st), hits (18, 2nd), batting average (.409, 3rd), total bases (34, 2nd), on-base percentage (.447, T-8th) and slugging percentage (.773, 1st).

• Justin Turner went 2-for-3 with a homer and two runs scored yesterday and is batting .486 with four doubles, three homers and eight RBI, while posting a .513 on-base percentage and a .857 slugging percentage in 14 Cactus League games.
• Second baseman Howie Kendrick went 1-for-3 with a double and an RBI yesterday and is now hitting .405 this spring to go along with five doubles and eight RBI. Kendrick is career .297 hitter in the month of April and has hit more homers (19) in the season’s first month than any other. 

ON THE MOUND: LHP Clayton Kershaw will make his fifth Cactus League start today. Kershaw has allowed three runs on 10 hits through 13.1 innings so far this spring. He last pitched on Friday against the Athletics, when he was struck by a line drive, chipping one of his teeth. He stayed in the game and finished with four strikeouts through 5.0 innings of work.

• Hard-throwing RHP Joel Peralta is expected to make his fifth appearance of the spring today. Through four Cactus League appearances, Peralta has tossed 4.0 innings, surrendering two runs on three hits and striking out four.
• RHP Pedro Baez is also expected to see action today. Baez has held opposing hitters to a .086 batting average this spring, allowing only four hits in 6.2 innings.
• RHP Chris Hatcher will make his seventh Cactus League appearance today. Hatcher has allowed six runs through 5.1 innings this spring.

(Camelback Ranch, via @Dodgers on twitter)

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Dodgers Notes from Spring Training: Full-Squad Workout #8

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.

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(Vizcaino,Wills,Bundy, Castro, Davis and Stubbs, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014)

THE BEAT GOES ON: The Dodgers completed their eighth full-squad workout today with the club’s Cactus League opener only five days away! Los Angeles will kick off its 25-game exhibition slate on Wednesday against the D-backs at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick.

• Dan Haren, Kenley Jansen, Brian Wilson, J.P. Howell, Chris Perez, Hyun-Jin Ryu and Chris Reed threw normal bullpens today, while Clayton Kershaw, Javy Guerra, Seth Rosin, Jose Dominguez, Ross Stripling, Daniel Moskos and Sam Demel faced live hitters during simulated innings. 
• Matt Kemp got a few extra swings in today and faced live pitching on the minor league side.
• Yasiel Puig was held out of on-field action again today, instead working out in the batting cage and the weight room, after fouling a ball off his right leg on Wednesday. He is expected to be a regular participant in tomorrow’s workout.

(Kershaw and AJ Ellis during similated game, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014)

A-OK: Earlier today, Hall of Famer Sandy Koufax was struck by a foul ball off the bat of Andre Ethier during live BP as he watched the action in one of the bullpens down the left field line of Field 1. Koufax was joking about the incident a few minutes later and emerged with only a small cut on his forehead. As a precaution, he was taken to a local hospital for a CT scan, which came back negative.

(Sandy Koufax, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014)

“THE KID”: Tomorrow, the City of Fullerton will honor Baseball Hall of Famer and former Dodger Gary Carter by dedicating Field No. 2 at Fullerton Sports Complex in his name. The ceremony will begin at 11:00 a.m. at Fullerton Sports Complex at 560 E. Silver Pine St. and will be attended by Carter’s wife, Sandy, brother, Gordon, and other family members. Carter grew up in Fullerton and played 19 Major League seasons, including the 1991 campaign with the Dodgers, before his election to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2003. Carter passed away on Feb. 16, 2012 at the age of 57.

THE GAMES BEHIND THE GAMES: The Dodgers will play two intra-squad games on Sunday, Feb. 23 and Monday, Feb. 24 on Field 1 at Camelback Ranch - Glendale. Pitchers scheduled to throw on Sunday include Matt Magill, Hyun-Jin Ryu, Chris Perez, Brian Wilson, Kenley Jansen and J.P. Howell. On Monday, Stephen Fife, Dan Haren, Chris Reed, Paco Rodriguez and Jamey Wright each will pitch.

(Koufax and Jansen, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014)

ALL DODGERS, ALL THE TIME: We’re just four days away from the launch of SportsNet LA on February 25, the new 24-hour-a-day network of the Dodgers. SNLA will televise all of this year’s Dodger Cactus League games, with the exception of two split-squad games, giving fans more Spring Training coverage than ever before. In addition to airing games during Spring Training, SportsNet LA will also air a nightly show, “Access SportsNet: Dodgers,” at 7:00 p.m. PT.

• The network has announced its full launch night programming schedule, led by the live studio show “Access SportsNet: Dodgers,” the inaugural episode of “Backstage: Dodgers,” back-to-back “Connected With…” interview shows featuring Clayton Kershaw and Don Mattingly and a one-hour retrospective special about last year’s season.
• SNLA’s programming lineup will include shows “Backstage: Dodgers,” “Access SportsNet: Dodgers,” “Leadoff LA,” “Dodgers Clubhouse,” “Connected With,” “Talkin’ Blue,” “Dodgermentary,” “Timeless Dodgers” and “Dodgers Squeeze Play,” all set to air starting Feb. 25. For more information, please visit www.ineedmydodgers.com.

(pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014)

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Blog Kiosk: 1/22/2014 - Dodgers Links - Kemp, Bundy and Clayton

Tommy Lasorda received the NL Bobby Murcer Award on behalf of the Dodgers at the B.A.T. charity dinner last night, pic above via @Dodgers on twitter.  Mark Newman at MLB.com has a story up about the event, here.

• Listen to Petros and Money of KLAC-AM speak to Don Newcombe on MLK Day, here.
• Via Rany Jazayerli on Grantland writes a great story on Clayton Kershaw titled, "So Good, So Young".
• Cary Osborne at Dodger Insider writes, "Meet Dodgers third base coach Lorenzo Bundy".

“It was flattering,” Bundy said on being appointed Dodger third base coach. “I’m a very humble person. The opportunity to first, work with the Dodgers has always been very special. Especially growing up, I grew up a Dodger fan per se because of Jackie Robinson. He was someone talked about often in my family. Especially by my dad.”

• Via Dylan Hernandez at the LA Times, "Dodgers' Matt Kemp advised by agent to not rush back for opening day".   He also notes that Alexander Guerrero is currently working out in Arizona with Jose Vizcaino at 2nd base.
• Apparently, Matt Kemp wanted to use the phrase "Beast Mode" on some apparel he would be marketing, but it is trademarked by Marshawn Lynch.  TMZ tells us that Lynch told Kemp no, and they have a video response from Kemp.
• Masahiro Tanaka chooses the Yankees, via Bryan Hoch at MLB.com.
• Via JP Hoornstra at Inside the Dodgers, "Daily Distractions: Cut fastball could fast-track Ross Stripling to Los Angeles."  JP also tells us that Dodger Stadium will have permanent metal detectors onsite by the 2015 season, here.
• Adam Rubin at ESPN tells us that, "Tommy Lasorda blasts A-Rod".
• Mike Petriello at Dodgers Digest provides an update on the 15 Dodgers who are non-roster invitees to Spring Training.  It includes word that the Dodgers just signed free agent catchers Miguel Olivo and Griff Erickson to minor league contracts
• Old Time Family Baseball writes, "My New Favorite Baseball Team: Fat Men’s Amusement Company".  This is great.  Over the years, I've seen vintage postcards featuring these portly men of the ballfield, and I've wondered what there story was.  Who are they?  Could they play competitive ball?  Did they ever try to steal?  Unfortunately, there remains few answers, but it was nice to see this story, nonetheless.  There's a great video of a real uniform presented on the Antique Roadshow that you have to watch.  BTW, I totally disagree with the appraisal.  I think at auction, all of the items would sell in excess of the $2k stated - easily.
• Via DSWright at Fire Dog Lake, "Grantland Editor-In-Chief Apologizes For Story That May Have Led To Subject’s Suicide".  This is an episode of when reporting goes wrong.
• Night Owl Cards blog has been named the 2013 Best Card blog of the Year for the 3rd straight time.  Congrats! 

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Blog Kiosk: 3/12/2013 - New MLB 13 Matt Kemp Commercial

Jon SooHoo shares some pics from the private screening of the Jackie Robinson movie, '42'.  See more pics here.  Jose Vizcaino, Franklin Stubbs, Maury Wills and Rick Rhoden are shown above.

• Left Field Pavilion continues his magic at colorizing vintage Dodgers' photos.  Check out his color portrait of Gil Hodges.
• I wish I was here.  Ben Platt at MLB.com tells us that 300 members of the Dodgers family saw a private screening of the Jackie Robinson movie, '42'.

"It actually brought tears to my eyes. I was living a lot of that movie," said former National League MVP and Dodger legend, Maury Wills, who, at age 80, still serves as a bunting and base running instructor every spring with the Dodgers. "I knew Jackie personally. I barnstormed with him in 1953 when I was in the Minor Leagues. We would tour the South after the season and he paid me $300 for the month. I would have done it for nothing. I got to know him, he was a no-nonsense person, nice man, stern, firm -- he would check the bus every night to make sure we were all there as we went from one city to another. It was quite an experience.

"I don't know many other people who could have survived the way Jackie did, to come out on the other end. I knew this film was well put together and I enjoyed it."

• I'll believe it when it happens.  Apparently, the NHL is actually exploring the idea of having an outdoor hockey game at Dodger Stadium, via Jason Brough at Pro Hockey Talk.  I have it on good authority that just a year or so ago an unnamed NHL official openly laughed at the idea.
• Via Bill Shaikin at the LA Times, Zack Greinke has an inflamed elbow, and will be resting for a few days.
• Former Dodgers GM Dan Evans has just been hired to be commissioner of the independent Northern League, via the Wall Street Journal.
• If you happen to be in New York, then I suggest heading over to the Agora Art Gallery to check out some original Dick Perez Baseball paintings from March 26 - April 16.  More information can be found here.
• Check out Matt Kemp in a MLB 13 commercial just released earlier today.

Video Link:

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Blog Kiosk: 6/8/2012- Catching up on some Dodgers News

Topps recently released a bunch of preview pics of some rare "1 of 1" bat knob cards that will be inserted into this years Tier One cases.  Two Dodgers are available amid the 100 different knob cards being created.  Check out the Snider and Matt Kemp above and below.  This set is coming out later this month.  See the Beckett story for more information and pics of all 100 cards.

• The Dodger Dream Foundation Auction is current going on and includes autographed jerseys worn on Jackie Robinson Day.  Go here to check them all out.  This Matt Kemp signed game-worn jersey is already up to $2,825.00.

(Dodger Dream Foundation Auction)

• Soccer is making a big push in LA.  After the Galaxy's recent league championship they now team up with the Dodgers to offer a Dodgers Night at a Galaxy game on June 23rd (with limited edition Dodgers/ Galaxy scarf being given away) and a Galaxy Night at Dodger Stadium on July 30th (get a free signed Landon Donovan photo).  Go here for information on how to get in.

• If you haven't seen it yet, here is a glimpse at the Mike Scioscia bobble head being given out on Tuesday, June 12th.

• Check out the May Dodgers Pride Awards given to some of our more outstanding prospects in the minors, here.
• I don't quite know what this means for the Dodgers, but I figure it must be a good thing.  From the Dodgers press release:

Long-time baseball executive Bob Wolfe was named executive vice president of the Los Angeles Dodgers, the team announced. Wolfe rejoins Dodgers President and CEO Stan Kasten with whom he teamed with the Atlanta Braves and Washington Nationals.

That's a pretty good pedigree, right?

• A complete listing of all 41 players drafted by the Dodgers can be seen here.  Click pic below to embiggen.

Los Angeles continued to select players with big league bloodlines on the draft’s final day, selecting Jordan Hershiser, son of former Dodger Cy Young Award winner Orel Hershiser, out of USC with its 34^th-round selection and then taking Jose Vizcaino Jr., son of former Dodger infielder and current Special Advisor, Baseball Operations & Player Development Jose Vizcaino, in the 36^th round.

Dodgers Notes from Spring Training- Game 24

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

Chicago White Sox (10-12) at LOS ANGELES DODGERS (11-8-4)

Monday, March 26, 2012 – 1:05 p.m., Camelback Ranch - Glendale

LHP John Danks vs. RHP Chad Billingsley

Spring Game 24/Home Game 12

Todays Starting Lineup:

Dodgers: @skinnyswag9 SS, M Ellis 2B, @TheRealMattKemp CF, Rivera 1B, Ethier RF, Sands LF, Uribe 3B, Treanor C, Billingsley P
White Sox: De Aza cf, Morel 3b, Rios rf, Konerko 1b, Dunn dh, Ramirez ss, Flowers c, Viciedo lf, Beckham 2b, Danks 1

Upcoming Spring Training Schedule:

(Matt Kemp, pic via instagram @KeMvP_27)

• ONE-UP THE NEIGHBORS: The Dodgers will square off with the Chicago White Sox for the fourth time this spring and, so far, it has been all Dodgers. Los Angeles is 3-0 against Chicago this spring, including Friday’s 17-4 victory in Tucson. The Dodgers will play the White Sox for the final time this March on Thursday, but the two squads will meet again during the regular season from June 15-17 at Dodger Stadium.

• SPRING WORKHORSE: Dodger starter Chad Billingsley will make his team-leading fifth start of the Cactus League slate this afternoon and thus far owns a record of 0-0 and a 4.97 ERA (7 ER/12.2 IP). The Ohio native’s last outing was Tuesday, March 20 against the Brewers, when he gave up three runs over 4.2 innings. All five of Billingsley’s starts have been at Camelback Ranch. He’ll be followed to the mound by:

  ● LHP Scott Elbert has allowed runs in two consecutive outings, which has ballooned his spring ERA to 5.40 (3 ER/5.0 IP). Today will mark his sixth appearance this month. Last year, Elbert limited lefthanders to a .191 batting average (13-for-68) and no home runs.

  ● RHP Javy Guerra will make his first appearance since firing a scoreless inning on Friday in Surprise. Guerra has allowed just one run (a solo homer) in five outings this spring (1.93 ERA). The Texas native has held the opposition to a .188 (3-for-16) batting average this spring.

  ● RHP Ronald Belisario was reinstated from the restricted list and placed back on the 40-man roster Thursday. The native of Venezuela has allowed three runs in 4.0 innings this spring, but tossed a scoreless inning in his last Cactus League outing on March 17.

  ● RHP Jamey Wright will tie Josh Lindblom this afternoon for the most games by a pitcher this spring with seven. The 17-year veteran hurler and non-roster invitee has posted a 2.25 ERA (2 ER/8.0 IP) and last pitched on Saturday vs. Cleveland, when he recorded the save with a perfect ninth inning.

(Los Angeles Dodgers Tim Wallach and Dave Hansen pose with ex-Dodgers now Milwaukee Brewers John Shelby and Ron Roenicke Sunday, March 25, 2012 in Maryvale,Arizona. © Jon SooHoo/ Los Angeles Dodgers)

• NOT-SO MARYVALE: Yesterday, the Dodgers were held to three hits and fell to the Brewers in Maryvale, 7-1. Dodger starter Clayton Kershaw took the loss, dropping his spring record to 2-2. The left-hander allowed just two runs over 6.0 innings and his Cactus League ERA is now 1.47. At the plate, Cory Sullivan went 1-for-1 and Jerry Hairston Jr. was 2-for-3, raising his spring average to .357.

• DOUBLE TROUBLE: Dodger outfielder Andre Ethier has seven doubles on the spring season, tying him with Pittsburgh’s Josh Harrison and Cincinnati’s Zack Cozart for the National League lead. His 30 total bases are tied for eighth among National Leaguers and his 10 RBI lead the team and are tied for 10th in the NL.

• HAPPY HAPPY: The Dodgers would like to wish a very happy birthday to Special Assistant, Baseball Operations Jose Vizcaino. “Vizzy” turns 44 today and is beginning his fifth season in the Dodger front office, following an 18-year playing career that started when he was signed by the Dodgers at 17. Vizcaino’s game-winning single for the Yankees in the 12^th inning of the 2000 World Series, ended the then longest World Series game in history.

(Clayton Kershaw, pic via Jon SooHoo/ LA Dodgers 2012)

• SPEE-DEE: Dee Gordon went 2-for-3 with a stolen base and a run scored in Saturday’s win for his fourth consecutive multi-hit game. After getting the day off yesterday, Gordon will be back atop the Dodger lineup today and ranks among the National League leaders in batting average (.415, 3^rd), runs scored (12, T-1^st), steals (8, 2^nd) and on-base percentage (.489, 3^rd) in 15 games this spring.

• GETTING OFFENSIVE: The Dodgers are 11-8-4 this spring, which is the fifth-best record in the Cactus League, and have been one of the National League’s best offensive teams despite their three-hit attack at Maryvale yesterday. Among National League squads, Los Angeles ranks fifth in team batting average (.282), third in on-base percentage (.353) and has posted the fifth-highest slugging percentage (.439). The Dodgers have also fared well on the mound with their 3.59 team ERA ranking fourth in the NL.

• ON THE BACK FIELDS: Dodger reliever Matt Guerrier will toss an inning in a minor league contest vs. the Reds’ minor leaguers this afternoon. Guerrier has been hampered with a back injury and last pitched on March 11 vs. the Cubs. The Ohio native has made two appearances this spring without allowing a run or hit.

Vizcaino Back In Blue

Jose Vizcaino comes full circle. He has been hired as a Special Assistant for the 2008 season.

“Jose brings a wealth of experience and knowledge with him that will be a great asset to the Dodgers,” said Colletti. “Everyone in baseball has the utmost respect for Jose because of his character and his dedication to the game and we’re excited that he’s returning to the Dodger organization.”

Vizcaino, 39, will work on special projects in baseball operations and will serve as an on-field instructor during Spring Training. He will also instruct at the Dodgers’ academy in the Dominican Republic , Campo Las Palmas.

The Dominican Republic native came up through the Dodgers’ farm system, playing at Campo Las Palmas in the 1980s after being signed out of his hometown in San Cristobal . He made his Major League debut on Sept. 10, 1989 as the second-youngest player in the National League that season and also played for Los Angeles in 1990 before moving on to a productive career with the Cubs, Mets, Indians, and Giants.