Blog Kiosk: 2/13/2015 - Dodger Links - Moncada and Kershaw

I can't wait for the action to hit the field.  So when I ran into this fantastic action photograph on eBay I knew I had to share it.  Check out the auction here.  Featured is June 1, 1958 Chicago Sun-Times press photo of LA Dodger shortstop Don Zimmer evading a sliding Lee Walls of the Cubs to complete a game-ending double play.  As an added bonus, Hall of Fame umpire Jocko Conlan is in the foreground.

BTW, the photo was once a part of the George Michael collection.  For those who don't know, George Michael was a legendary sports broadcaster.  He had a weekly Sunday night sports highlight show on NBC in the 80's called "George Michael Sports Machine," and just about anyone obsessed with sports who didn't have cable watched it.  For many of us it was the only way to see a full slate of highlights from sporting events throughout the country.  Well, in the hobby he was known to be one of the more prolific collectors of action (specifically sliding plays) press photographs in the country, and the photo above is a classic example of what he chased after.

Below are some more links to check out:

• Here's your cute story of the day.  Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Kershaw goes eephus in proposal to wife."  Gurnick tells us all about how Kershaw proposed to his wife.
• The Dodgers are hot on Moncada's trail, via a tweet from Ken Rosenthal yesterday:

Source: Moncada worked out today for #Dodgers in Clearwater, FL. A number of the team’s top executives were in attendance.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 12, 2015

• Dave Cameron at FanGraphs ranks, "The Best Transactions of the 2015 Off-Season," and the Dodgers occupy 4 of the top 10 spots.
• Via Ron Cervenka at Think Blue LA, "Could Dodgers be hoping to right a wrong with Ramon Troncoso?"
• I know.  I hate linking to this guy, but here ya go.  Via Bill Plaschke at the LA Times, "Arrogance and greed are keeping Dodgers fans in a TV blackout I know.

Everyone is arrogant, everyone is wrong, and everyone is now blaming the whole mess on a couple of slow-moving marriages that were supposed to clean it up, but have only made it worse.

• Here's a prospect report.  Via Dustin Nosler at Dodgers Digest, "2015 Dodgers prospects: Best Tools."

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Blog Kiosk: 2/9/2015 - Dodger Links - Dodgers Represented at Grammy's

The first issue of Dodger Insider magazine is coming out soon, and it includes both Howie Kendrick and Jimmy Rollins on the cover.  Check it out above.  Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider shares some highlights of what's inside, here.

Below are some more links to check out:

• Who'd a thunk that the Dodgers would win the Grammy's?  But they did, and it was all thanks to Mastodon guitarist Brent Hinds.  He attended this past weekend Grammy awards wearing a full Dodger uniform.  Check out a pic of him with drummer Brann Dailor, via Eric Alper on twitter.  Unfortunately, they didn't win a Grammy for Best Metal Performance of the year.
• Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Dodgers prevalent at Hector Olivera showcase in Dominican Republic."

Of all the teams at the showcase today, the Dodgers had the most notable presence. Dodgers vice president of baseball operations Josh Byrnes, VP of amateur and international scouting David Finley and director of player personnel Galen Carr were all there. 

• Via Jonah Keri at Grantland, "Baseball’s Worst Contracts."  Andre Ethier's deal with the Dodgers ranks as #9 on his list.

Ethier was a good hitter when the Dodgers dropped a five-year contract into his lap in June 2012, but he wasn’t particularly good at anything else, making the extension a puzzler at the time, and a decision that has looked worse with each passing day. 

• Everyone appears high on Kike Hernandez, via a tweet by Peter Gammons:

Scout thinks the best young player in the Caribbean Series is Inf. Kike Hernandez, a piece of the Dee Gordon deal that got LA Howie Kendrick
— Peter Gammons (@pgammo) February 6, 2015

• Vie Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Dodgers sign B.J. Rosenberg, Ramon Troncoso to minor league contracts."
• BTW, the Dodgers are currently hiring for seasonal/part-time work for the upcoming season.  Have you ever wanted to be a Dodger ball boy/girl?  Go here for information.  Are you interested in wearing the Dodger bobblehead costume at games?  Go here for information.  Do you want to be a Dodger Blue Crew Member?  Go here for information.

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Dodgers Blog Kiosk: 1/9/2012

Hanley Ramirez recently tweeted the above pic, as he gives out some toys to some neighborhood kids.  There's even a video on yfrog.

• My brethren within the Baseball Bloggers Alliance selected only one player as worthy of induction into the Hall of Fame- Jeff Bagwell.  See the press release here.
• Left Field Pavilion compares 1963 Dodger Stadium with the artists rendition of future Dodger Stadium.
• Eric Stephen at True Blue LA has complete details on the JP Howell contact.
• Baseball Prospect Nation ranks the top 15 Dodger prospects. 
• Jon Weisman wrote something about Baseball.  Check it out here.  It's his thoughts about the quagmire that is the Hall of Fame voting.
• Ramon Troncoso took a liner to the face and lost 4 teeth.  Check out a tweet by Polo Ascencio to see a pic.  It's a bit nasty.
• The Dodgers will be playing a Spring Training exhibition game against the the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes on March 28th at the Quakes home park in Rancho.  See info here.
• Take a look at the WBC Baseballs, via Naver.com.  See it right.
• Here is another incredible vintage Baseball card find.  A Maine antique picker found it in a yard sale.  It is a 1865 CDV featuring the Brooklyn Atlantics.  It is one of only two known to exist- the other being in the Library of Congress. It was initially listed on eBay by the picker, but a flurry of emails and questions by collectors caused them to pull it and have it authenticated. It will now be for sale on auction and is expected to sell for more than $50,000. Sports Collectors Daily has the story; including a video.  These are the kind of stories I can only dream of, but I still look.  Heck, I still hope to one day find a vintage Walter Johnson collectible in an Orange County yard sale some day.

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Dodgers Notes from Spring Training- Game 30

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 (13-12-4) at Arizona Diamondbacks (11-16-2)

Saturday, March 31, 2012 – 1:05 p.m., Talking Stick

LHP Clayton Kershaw vs. RHP Ian Kennedy

Spring Game 30/Road Game 16

Todays Starting Lineup:

Dodgers: @skinnyswag9 SS, Hairston 2B, @TheRealMattKemp CF, Ethier RF, Rivera LF, @jamesloney_7 1B, Uribe 3B, @AJEllis17 C, Kershaw P
Diamondbacks: Roberts 3B Bloomquist SS Upton RF Kubel LF Young CF Montero C Goldschmidt 1B Harbin 2BKennedy P

Upcoming Spring Training Schedule:

(pic via twitter @SteveLyons12)

• WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?: The Dodgers and Diamondbacks meet for the first time this spring in the penultimate Cactus League contest for Los Angeles. Tomorrow, the two squads will tangle again at Camelback Ranch – Glendale in the Dodgers’ Cactus League finale. 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.

• HURLERS: LHP Clayton Kershaw will make his fifth and final Cactus League start this afternoon. The 2011 Cy Young Award winner is 2-2 with a 1.47 ERA (3 ER/18.1 IP) and a .203 opponents’ average against this spring. The southpaw’s next start will be Thursday, April 5 in San Diego’s PETCO Park, otherwise known as Opening Day, 2012. The start will be Kershaw’s second consecutive Opening Day assignment. He will be followed to the hill by:

  ● RHP Ronald Belisario will make his seventh appearance this spring. The native of Venezuela has allowed five runs in 7.0 innings this March, including a scoreless frame on Thursday against the White Sox.
  

  ● RHP Josh Lindblom will make his team-leading 10th appearance of the Cactus League season today. Thus far, Lindblom has a 4.50 ERA (5 ER/10.0 IP) this month and has struck out seven batters without a walk. The right-hander out of Purdue went 1-0 with a 2.73 ERA (9 ER/29.2 IP) in 27 appearances for the Dodgers last year.

  ● LHP Scott Rice gave up a run on Thursday vs. the White Sox and now has a 4.70 ERA (4 ER/7.2 IP) to go along with eight strikeouts and just two walks. The 30-year-old non-roster invitee is looking to make the Major Leagues for the first time in his 14-year professional career.

(Oh ya!! @Dodgers !!!! 1000s still in line to audition!!!, via twitter @MannyStreetz)

• RACE TO THE FINISH: With just two games left, the Dodgers are looking to clinch their first winning Cactus League campaign since joining the league in 2009. Additionally, at 13-12 with five exhibition games left, the club is seeking its first winning Spring Training since going 17-16-1 in 2007. Yesterday, the Dodgers lost their fourth consecutive game, falling 9-4 to Milwaukee. Minutes later, the streak was snapped as the other split-squad put the finishing touches on a 6-3 victory over the Cubs in Mesa. Andre Ethier, James Loney, Luis Cruz and Matt Angle all had multi-hit games yesterday and LHP Chris Capuano looked spectacular on the hill, allowing just two hits and one run over 6.0 innings against the Brewers.

• FOLLOW THE LEADERS: Dee Gordon went 1-for-3 with a triple yesterday, while Andre Ethier belted his third homer of the spring and drove in four runs. The duo have been two of Los Angeles’ hottest hitters this spring as Gordon ranks among the NL leaders in batting average (.382, 5^th), steals (10, 2^nd), runs (15, 1^st) and on-base percentage (.460, 4^th). Ethier leads the league with 42 total bases, is tied for the league lead with 16 RBI, nine doubles and three triples and leads the Dodgers in average (.400) and slugging percentage (.933).

• 

(Los Angeles Dodgers Matt Kemp with Milwaukee Brewers Ryan Braun Friday, March 30, 2012 at Camelback Ranch-Glendale in Phoenix, Arizona © Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers 2012)

• WHO’S READY!: The 2012 regular season kicks off for the Dodgers in just five days in San Diego and the Dodger Stadium 50^th anniversary season begins in 10 days. The Dodgers’ home opener against the Pirates has sold out, but a limited number of seats for the big day are available through the purchase of Full Season, 25-game Pick ‘Em and 15-game Mini Plan packages.

• SING FOR THE FENCES: Today in Los Angeles, the Dodgers are holding the first Red, White and Dodger Blue National Anthem Auditions at Dodger Stadium. The goal is to select performers to sing the “Star-Spangled Banner” at home games this season. Singing hopefuls were lining up outside the stadium before 5:00 a.m. and hundreds of potential idols have turned out to let the judges hear their pipes. One participant will be selected to sing the national anthem at the Dodgers’ first home game in Los Angeles, as they take on the Angels next Tuesday, April 3.

(Auditions to sing before a @Dodgers game have begun, via twitter @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 28

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

Milwaukee Brewers (7-9-1) at LOS ANGELES DODGERS (8-5-4)

Tuesday, March 20, 2012 – 1:05 p.m., Camelback Ranch - Glendale

RHP Chad Billingsley vs. LHP Chris Narveson

Spring Game 18/Home Game 9

Todays Starting Lineup:

Dodgers: @skinnyswag9 SS, Ellis 2B, @TheRealMattKemp CF, Rivera LF, Ethier RF, @jamesloney_7 1B, Uribe 3B, @AJEllis17 C, Billingsley P
Brewers: Gomez 8, Morgan 9, Braun 7, Ramirez 5, Gamel 5, Kottaras 2, Conrad 4, Izturis 6, Narveson 1.

Upcoming Spring Training Schedule:

(Here is the cover of the 2012 Dodgers Media Guide, via twitter @Dodgers)

• STRANGE BREW: Today is the first of three Cactus League games between the Dodgers and Brewers. Following this afternoon’s tilt, the two clubs will meet on Sunday in Maryvale and on Friday, March 30 at Camelback Ranch – Glendale. During the 2012 regular season, Los Angeles visits Milwaukee on its second road trip, beginning April 17. The Brewers make their annual visit to Chavez Ravine from May 28-31 this season.

• BILLS ME: Dodger right-hander Chad Billingsley takes the hill for his fourth start of the spring this afternoon, following his stint last Thursday against the Royals in which he tossed 3.2 innings and gave up one run. Billingsley has given up four runs in 8.0 innings this spring to go along with four strikeouts and three walks. Billingsley will be followed to the mound by:

  ● RHP Josh Lindblom, who tossed a scoreless inning Saturday night and now has a 3.86 ERA (2 ER/4.2 IP) in four appearances this March.

  ● LHP Wilfredo Ledezma last pitched in a game on Friday, working a scoreless inning against the Rangers. Ledezma has allowed just one run over 4.1 innings this spring.

  ● RHP Ronald Belisario fired a scoreless inning Saturday night and will make his fourth appearance.

  ● RHP Ramon Troncoso has yielded just one run over 4.0 innings this spring, including three consecutive scoreless outings. The native of the Dominican Republic made the Dodgers’ Opening Day roster from 2008-10.

  

(Pic via Jon SooHoo/ LA Dodgers 2012)

• A FAMILIAR FACE: The Dodgers would like to welcome former shortstop Cesar Izturis to Camelback Ranch today. Izturis played in Los Angeles from 2002-06 and made the NL All-Star team in 2005. The native of Venezuela won a Gold Glove following the 2004 campaign and was a big part of the 2004 NL West champs. Izturis is looking to make the Brewers as a non-roster invitee following three seasons with the Orioles.

• ON THE SIDE: Dodger relievers Javy Guerra and Scott Elbert appeared in a game yesterday and will work their first “back-to-back” today, facing live hitters on Field 2. In addition, infielder Jerry Hairston Jr. will play a game on the minor league side.

• MOVING ON: The Dodgers lost just their second road Spring Training game yesterday, falling to the Indians in Goodyear, 4-3. Infielder Justin Sellers continued his hot-hitting spring, going 3-for-4 with a double, an RBI and a run scored. Sellers is now hitting .385 (10-for-26) and his seven RBI are tied with Juan Rivera for the team high. On the mound, starter Clayton Kershaw went 5.1 innings and allowed just one run while striking out five. Kershaw’s first earned run of the spring caused his ERA to climb to 0.73.

  ● 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.

(Pic via Jon SooHoo/ LA Dodgers 2012)

• GOLDEN CACTUS: The Dodgers enter play today with the third-best record in the Cactus League with an 8-5-4 mark, trailing the Athletics by 3.5 games and the 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 .283 mark and its 3.39 team ERA ranks third. The Dodgers are tied with St. Louis for the top NL on-base percentage with a .356 mark. Individually, Andre Ethier leads all National Leaguers with six doubles and leads the team with a .455 batting average (10-for-22) and a 1.045 slugging percentage in 10 games.

• BREAK A LEG: The Dodgers would like to welcome former pitcher Ralph Mauriello to the ballgame today. Mauriello, 77, will sing the National Anthem before today’s contest.

• 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.

(Pic via Jon SooHoo/ LA Dodgers 2012)

Dodgers Notes from Spring Training- Day 26

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 (9-6) at LOS ANGELES DODGERS (8-4-3)

Sunday, March 18, 2012 – 1:05 p.m., Camelback Ranch - Glendale

RHP Dan Haren vs. LHP Chris Capuano

Spring Game 16/Home Game 8

Todays Starting Lineup:

Dodgers: @skinnyswag9 SS, M Ellis 2B, Gwynn LF, Kennedy 1B, Uribe 3B, Oeltjen RF, @AJEllis17 C, Angle CF, Capuano LHP
Angels: Amarista 2B Calhoun LF Pujols 1B Trumbo 3B Conger C Langerhans RF Romine SS Long CF Haren P

Upcoming Spring Training Schedule:

(James Loney on St. Patrick's Day, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2012)

• SUNDAY FUN DAY: The Dodgers and Angels will collide for the final time during 2012 Cactus League play this afternoon at a sold out Camelback Ranch – Glendale, following the Dodgers’ blowout win at Tempe Diablo Stadium last Monday (9-1). However, the two Southern California squads will meet in an exhibition Freeway Series from April 2-4 and then 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. In 2011, the Angels won the series, 4-2, taking two of three contests at both Dodger and Angel Stadium last summer.

• HURLERS: Left-hander Chris Capuano takes the mound for his third start of the spring season today and is 1-1 with a 3.86 ERA (2 ER/4.2 IP) thus far. Capuano last pitched Tuesday vs. Colorado and allowed two runs in 2.2 innings. The Massachusetts native has been especially tough against left-handers over the course of his career, limiting them to a .229 batting average, a .290 on-base percentage and a .341 slugging percentage. Capuano will be followed to the mound by:

  ● RHP Mike MacDougal last pitched on Thursday vs. Kansas City and took the loss, allowing four earned runs in 0.1 innings. Last season, MacDougal was a key cog in the Dodgers’ bullpen, ranking second on the club with a career-high 69 appearances and posting a 2.05 ERA in 57.0 innings.

  ● LHP John Grabow tossed 1.2 scoreless innings on Thursday vs. Kansas City. The left-hander is looking to make the club as a non-roster invitee and thus far has fired 3.2 scoreless frames while limiting hitters to a .231 average.

  ● RHP Angel Guzman tossed 1.0 scoreless inning on Thursday and has yet to give up a run in 4.1 innings of work. The native of Venezuela is limiting the opposition to a .071 batting average this spring.

  ● LHP Wilfredo Ledezma worked a scoreless frame on Friday vs. Texas, lowering his spring ERA to 2.08 (1 ER/4.1 IP) in four appearances. Batters are hitting just .141 against him.

(Nathan Eovaldi, pic via Jon SooHoo/ LA Dodgers 2012)

• MAKING MOVES: Today the Dodgers 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.

• ...AND NEW CHAMPION!: The Dodgers and Giants played to a 3-3 tie last night in front of a Cactus League record crowd of 13,655 fans. The new attendance record marks Camelback Ranch – Glendale’s fifth top-10 crowd since Cactus League’s largest stadium opened in 2009. In addition to last night’s contest, Dodgers’ games hold three of the other spots in the top 10: No. 3 on March 27, 2010 vs. Seattle (13,583), No. 4 on March 20, 2010 vs. San Diego (13,506) and No. 9 on March 18, 2010 vs. the Cubs (13,391).

• On the field, infielder Luis Cruz hit his first home run of the spring, while Jamey Wright, Josh Lindblom, Ramon Troncoso and Ronald Belisario all tossed scoreless innings.

(The Dodgers Press Box, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2012)

• HALL OF FAME SUNDAY: For the second consecutive game, Dodger fans can hear Hall of Fame broadcasters Vin Scully and Jaime Jarrín calling games on KCAL 9 and KTNQ, respectively. Scully is entering his 63^rd year with the club and Jarrín will be behind the microphone for his 54^th season in 2012.

• GRAY BEARDS: Believe it or not, the longest tenured Dodgers are first baseman James Loney and right fielder Andre Ethier. Loney made his debut for the Dodgers on Opening Day 2006 and Ethier was called up May 2, 2006. When it comes to service time with the club, All-Star outfielders Ethier (5.153) and Matt Kemp (5.049) as well as starter Chad Billingsley (5.110) all trump Loney (5.012), the club’s first round draft pick in 2002. The old guys aren’t doing so bad this spring as Ethier leads all National Leaguers with six doubles and is tied for seventh with 20 total bases. Ethier’s .474 average (9-for-19) leads the club, but Loney isn’t far behind, batting .353 (6-for-17) in just seven games.

• HOLDING STEADY: The Dodgers enter today’s contest with the second-best Spring Training record among National League clubs at 8-4-3, trailing just the Giants (11-4-3). Los Angeles also owns the third-best team ERA among NL clubs with a 3.41 mark and the second-highest team batting average at .289.

Dodgers Notes from Spring Training- Day 25

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

San Francisco Giants (11-4-2) at LOS ANGELES DODGERS (8-4-2)

Saturday, March 17, 2012 – 7:05 p.m., Camelback Ranch - Glendale

RHP Aaron Harang vs. LHP Brian Burres

Spring Game 15/Home Game 7

Todays Starting Lineup:

Dodgers: Sellers 3B, DeJesus 2B, Kemp CF, Rivera LF, Sands RF, Loney 1B, Cruz SS, Treanor C, Harang P, Scully announcer
Giants:

Upcoming Spring Training Schedule:

(Photo Credit: Jon SooHoo/ LA Dodgers 2012)

• CACTUS LEAGUE HEAVIES: Two of the Cactus League’s best will be on display tonight as a split-squad of Dodgers takes on a split-squad of Giants this evening at Camelback Ranch – Glendale. This will be the second of three meetings with the Giants this spring as the Dodgers will head to Scottsdale on Wednesday, March 28. During the regular season, the Giants and Dodgers clash 18 times, with the first series coming from May 7-9 at Dodger Stadium. The clubs meet six times in September, including the final three games at Chavez Ravine from Oct. 1-3.

• HURLERS: Right-hander Aaron Harang takes the mound for his third start of the spring season today after firing 3.0 innings and allowing one run in a victory over the Angels in Tempe last Monday. 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). He will be followed to the mound by:

  ● RHP Jamey Wright last pitched on Wednesday against the Reds, allowing an unearned run in 1.0 inning. The Texas native has given up three runs (two earned) in 4.0 Cactus League innings this spring.

  ● RHP Ramon Troncoso fired a scoreless inning last Tuesday vs. Colorado and has yielded just one run in three 2012 Spring Training appearances. Troncoso made the club’s Opening Day roster from 2008-10, but spent the majority of last year with Triple-A Albuquerque, going 2-4 with a 5.05 ERA in 35 relief appearances for the Isotopes.

  ● RHP Josh Lindblom last pitched on Wednesday in Goodyear and gave up just one hit in a scoreless frame. The right-hander out of Purdue went 1-0 with a 2.73 ERA (9 ER/29.2 IP) in 27 appearances for the Dodgers last year.

  ● LHP Matt Chico allowed one run on two hits last Tuesday vs. Colorado and has a 6.00 ERA (2 ER/3.0 IP) this spring. The 28-year-old pitched for USC and Palomar Community College.

(Photo Credit: Jon SooHoo/ LA Dodgers 2012)

• EARLIER TODAY: The Dodgers scored four runs in the ninth to tie the game, but lost to the Rockies in Scottsdale, 7-6, on a walk-off home run by Tim Wheeler. The Dodgers have now alternated wins and losses since beating the Angels on Monday. All-Star outfielder Andre Ethier was 2-for-2 with a double and now has seven extra-base hits in his nine games. On the mound, Nathan Eovaldi tossed 3.0 scoreless innings in his second Cactus League start while minor leaguer RHP Logan Bawcom (0-1) took the loss.

• HOT TICKET!: The Dodgers’ home games at Camelback Ranch-Glendale tonight and tomorrow have sold out. Dodger Special Advisor to the Chairman Don Newcombe will throw a ceremonial first pitch prior to tonight’s game against the Giants, which will be followed by fireworks sponsored by Salt River Project. Weather permitting, the Dodgers and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim will face off at 1:05 p.m. tomorrow in front of another capacity crowd.

• POT OF GOLD: The Dodgers enter today’s contests with the best Spring Training record among National League clubs at 8-3-2 and have the second-best team ERA with a 3.08 mark. Los Angeles has also produced at the plate with a .287 team batting average, third-best among NL clubs, and a league-best .365 on-base percentage.

• AN IRISH GOODBYE: On this day in 2008, the Dodgers played their final Spring Training game in Vero Beach. “Dodgertown” was the Spring Training home of the Dodgers for 60 years.

  ● On March 17, 1946 in Daytona Beach, the Dodgers took the field against their minor league farm team, the Montreal Royals. With Jackie Robinson in the lineup for Montreal, the game marked the first appearance of an integrated team in organized baseball in this century. More than 40 years later, the field was renamed Jackie Robinson Ballpark.

(Photo Credit: Jon SooHoo/ LA Dodgers 2012)

• GOING GREEN: The Dodgers will wear green jerseys and hats in both of their games today in honor of St. Patrick’s Day. Following the games, players will sign their jerseys to be auctioned off by the Dodgers Dream Foundation during the season.

• IT’S TIME FOR DODGER BASEBALL!: The Dodgers would like to welcome Hall of Famer broadcaster Vin Scully to Camelback Ranch – Glendale. Scully will call tonight’s game against the Giants on PRIME TICKET and tomorrow’s contest against the Angels on KCAL 9 as he kicks off his 63^rd season broadcasting the Dodgers.

• SURE TO KICK OFF A MANIA!: Fernando Valenzuela made his first appearance of the spring at Camelback Ranch yesterday and will join Hall of Famer Jaime Jarrin and Pepe Yniguez in the booth for Dodgers’ Spanish Radio broadcasts tonight and tomorrow. This weekend also marks the club’s fifth annual Mexican Media Weekend with representatives from ZETA, TV Azteca, Sintesis TV and Puro Beisbol making the trip to Glendale to cover the Dodgers.

• ANOTHER REASON TO CELEBRATE: The Dodgers would like to wish a very happy 41^st birthday to Special Assistant to the GM, Bill Mueller! The former AL batting champion enters his seventh season in the Dodger front office and sixth as a Special Assistant.

Dodgers Notes from Spring Training- Day 21

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

Colorado Rockies (3-6-1) at LOS ANGELES DODGERS (6-1-2)

Tuesday, March 13, 2012 – 1:05 p.m., Camelback Ranch - Glendale

LHP Chris Capuano vs. LHP Drew Pomeranz

Spring Game 10/Home Game 4

Todays Starting Lineup:

Dodgers: @skinnyswag9 SS, Ellis 2B, @TheRealMattKemp CF, Ethier RF, Rivera DH, @jamesloney_7 1B, Sands LF, Uribe 5, Treanor C
Rockies: Young LF Herrera SS Pacheco 1B Hernandez C Arenado 3B Nelson 2B Blackmon CF Colvin RF Pomeranz

Upcoming Spring Training Schedule:

(Matt Kemp connects with a child, via Juan Ocampo/LA Dodgers 2012)

• MOUNTAIN TOPPERS: The Dodgers enter today’s contest with Colorado sporting 6-1-2 record, which is tied with Detroit for the best Spring Training record in the Majors. Los Angeles is undefeated (5-0-2) in its last seven games and the Dodgers have outscored their opponents 14-1 in their last two contests. The Rockies and Dodgers will face off two times in a five-day period with a rematch on Saturday afternoon at Talking Stick after the clubs split their 18 meetings last year.

• ALL PHASES: The Dodgers have the National League’s lowest team ERA this spring with a 3.11 mark and rank third on the circuit with a .290 team batting average. Los Angeles also leads NL clubs with a .377 team on-base percentage and is tied for second with a .490 slugging percentage. In the field, the Dodgers have committed just three errors, tied with Houston for the fewest on the Senior Circuit.

(Dodgers vs. Angels in Tempe, via twitter @sportsologist)

• HE’S GOT MY CAP: LHP Chris Capuano makes his second Cactus League start this afternoon after striking out three and allowing just two hits in 2.0 scoreless innings in Thursday’s win against Oakland. In 11 career games (10 starts) against Colorado, Capuano has posted a 3.68 ERA and a .235 opponents’ batting average despite his 4-5 record. The 33-year-old has been especially tough against left-handers over the course of his career, limiting them to a .229 batting average, a .290 on-base percentage and a .341 slugging percentage. Capuano will be followed to the mound by:

  ● RHP Fernando Nieve, who last pitched on Friday at Texas and allowed just one hit and struck out one in 2.0 scoreless frames. The 29-year-old pitched for the Doosan Bears in Korea last season after opening the season with Houston’s Triple-A affiliate in Oklahoma City.

  ● RHP Stephen Fife, who last pitched on Thursday vs. Oakland and allowed one run on two hits in 2.0 innings of relief. Fife, 25, was acquired with Tim Federowicz and Juan Rodriguez from Boston at the 2011 trade deadline in exchange for Trayvon Robinson. He was originally selected by the Red Sox in the third round of the 2008 draft out of the Univ. of Utah.

  ● RHP Ramon Troncoso, who gave up two hits in a scoreless inning on Saturday at Seattle in his most recent outing and has allowed one run in 2.0 innings over his two Cactus League appearances this spring.

  ● RHP Ryan Tucker, who threw 2.0 scoreless innings on Friday at Texas against his former teammates after giving up two runs on March 5 against the White Sox in the Dodgers’ Cactus League opener.

(Photo Credit: Juan Ocampo/ LA Dodgers 2012)

• DID I CATCH A NINER?: The Dodgers downed the Angels 9-1 yesterday as former Angel Juan Rivera drove in four runs, including a solo home run in the third inning, and Justin Sellers blasted a three-run homer in the sixth inning to put the game out of reach. Los Angeles starter Aaron Harang bounced back nicely from a rough first outing on March 7 against Oakland to limit the hot-hitting Angels to just one run in 3.0 innings and the Dodger bullpen of Angel Guzman, Chris Withrow, Wilfredo Ledezma and Scott Rice combined to blank the Halos in the final 6.0 frames.

• JUAN GONE!: Juan Rivera slugged a solo shot off the Angels’ Aaron Taylor in the third inning yesterday for his third home run in as many games and has an .875 slugging percentage this spring with all four of his hits (three homers and one double) going for extra bases. Rivera, who re-signed with the Dodgers as a free agent during the offseason, is tied for second among National Leaguers in home runs and would rank second in slugging percentage if he had enough at-bats to qualify.

• WITH HEAVY HEARTS…: The Dodger family would like to offer its condolences to the family of Dorothy Walton Reese, who passed away on March 7 at the age of 89. Reese was married to Dodger Hall of Famer Pee Wee Reese for 57 years before his death on Aug. 14, 1999 and is survived by a daughter, Barbara Reese Dudgeon, and a son, Mark Allen Reese.

  

(Photo Credit: Juan Ocampo/ LA Dodgers 2012)