Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Dodgers Notes from Spring Training: Pitchers & Catchers Workout #3


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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(Maury Wills and Manny Mota, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014)

KEEP ROLLING: Today was the third day of workouts for pitchers and catchers at Camelback Ranch – Glendale. Thursday, position players report with the first full-squad workout of 2014 scheduled for Friday.
  • A few more position players reported to camp early for voluntary workouts in advance of Thursday’s report date, including infielders Dee Gordon, Miguel Rojas and Brendan Harris.
  • Harris owns a .256 career batting average with 33 homers and 167 RBI in 529 games. If the middle infielder were to make the club, the Dodgers would become his seventh team, joining the Cubs (2004), Expos/Nationals (2004-06), Reds (2006), Rays (2007), Twins (2008-10) and Angels (2013). The New York native attended William and Mary and was drafted in the fifth round of the 2001 draft by the Cubs.
  • Gordon played in 38 games last season and still managed to swipe 10 bases in 12 attempts (83.3%). In his career, the speedy infielder has stolen 66 bags and been caught just 19 times. (77.6%). Gordon’s stolen base percentage ranks sixth in Dodger history among players with at least 80 attempts, trailing Davey Lopes (503 attempts, 83.1 %), Dave Roberts (143, 82.5), Mariano Duncan (125, 80.0), Delino DeShields (146, 78.1) and Shawn Green (81, 77.8).
(pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014)

EASY AS 1-2-3: Today marked the second bullpen sessions for hurlers Clayton Kershaw, Dan Haren, Chris Perez, Hyun-Jin Ryu, Brian Wilson, J.P. Howell, Javy Guerra, Seth Rosin, Jose Dominguez, Matt Magill, Ross Stripling, Chris Reed, Daniel Moskos and Sam Demel.
  • Rosin was selected by the Mets from the Phillies in the 2013 Rule 5 draft and then traded to the Dodgers. Rosin, 25, went 9-6 with a 4.33 ERA in 23 starts and three relief appearances last year for Philadelphia's Double-A Reading affiliate. A fourth-round draft pick of the Giants in 2010, Rosin struck out 96 batters and walked 35 in 126.2 innings. As a Rule 5 player, Rosin must make the Dodgers' 25-man roster all season or be offered back to his original club, the Phillies, for $25,000.
  • Moskos, a non-roster invitee, had a cup of coffee with Pittsburgh in 2011, going 1-1 with a 2.96 ERA in 31 games. He owns a career minor league record of 26-28 with a 4.43 ERA, 321 strikeouts in 207 games with the Pirates (2007-12) and White Sox (2012-13) organizations.
PACE YOURSELVES: This Saturday, every pitcher in camp will have a scheduled day off, designated by Dodger Manager Don Mattingly. This plan was conceived in the offseason due to the fact that the club does not have a normally scheduled off day this spring due to the March 16 trip to Sydney, Australia.

NETWORK: MLB Network made its first appearance at Camelback Ranch-Glendale this morning as Sam Ryan was on hand to conduct interviews with Dodger players. MLB Net will be back in full force on March 4, when the crew is in town for their annual “30 Clubs in 30 Days” feature in which they air their daily show from the Camelback Ranch complex.
(pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014)

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Pedro Guerrero Won the Twitter Yesterday!

What happens when you combine Pedro Guerrero and twitter?

You get a whole lot of awesome!  Like, stupendous, crazy like I can't believe it, awesome!

Last night, the man once called "the best hitter God has made in a long time" took to twitter and spoke his mind.  Or, maybe it was that he went out of his mind.  Either way, it was unbelievable.  (Let me preface this by saying that I am fairly certain, like 99% certain, that this is really Pedro)

Check out what I mean below.


He starts off slowly.  Apparently, Pedro was hired to be a special hitting instructor for the Texas Winter League.  So, he was in town to work.

A few hours pass.  Then, we find out that he is dining with Jose Canseco and former Dodger Mike Marshall.  Hilarity soon ensues.
(twitter link)

Then this classic tweet hits twitter.
(twitter link)

WTF.

The video Pedro links above is a highlight from an April 1987 game when Giants manager, Roger Craig, intentionally walked Pedro to get to Mike Marshall.  Naturally, Marshall proceeded to hit a home run to left field, and immediately taunted the Giants coach as he rounded the bases.  A purpose pitch came next, so benches cleared.  Watch that highlight here.
(twitter link)

Holy Moly!  You gotta love a Dodger who still taunts the Giants in retirement.
(twitter link)

So, we have his agent to thank for Pedro's twitter activities.  Thank you, Jose!  BTW, Pedro's agent tweeted a photo from dinner.


Last, but not least.  Did Pedro do some creeping on twitter?
(twitter link)

Reading Pedro's exchanges last night was incredibly entertaining.  I hope he does more of this because, goodness knows, we could use a little bit more Pedro in our lives.

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *
* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *
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Blog Kiosk: 2/11/2014 - Dodgers Links - Elbert, Beckett and Last Nights Town Hall


Brandon League took some time the other day to sign autographs for fans at Camelback Ranch, pic via @cactusleagueaz on twitter.
"I don't have numbness and tingling in my thumbs anymore," Beckett said. "I think my velocity is going to come back. I feel like I'm throwing as hard right now with less effort than I did all of last year."
  • In fact, Beckett had his first Spring bullpen session yesterday, via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, and it was a success.  Gurnick also tells us that pitching prospect Zach Lee missed his bullpen session due to a lateral strain.  Oh, oh.  He also provides some background on Maholm's unique contract incentives.
  • Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider provides an update on the Dodger Stadium renovations.
  • Via Cardboard Connection we find out that Topps will be bringing back their Turkey Red product line as a online-exclusive.  Check out a preview image of a Yasiel Puig card on the right.  A release date is not yet established.
  • Cards That Never Were made a fantasy 1965 Topps NL Stolen Base Leader card featuring Maury Wills since Topps failed to do so back then.  Check it out here.

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Monday, February 10, 2014

Dodgers Notes from Spring Training: Pitchers & Catchers Workout #2


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.
--------------------------
(pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014)

ALL IN: Today was the second day of workouts for pitchers and catchers at Camelback Ranch – Glendale. Thursday, position players report with the first full-squad workout of 2014 scheduled for Friday.
  • A number of position players have reported to camp early for voluntary workouts, including Matt Kemp, Yasiel Puig, Alex Guerrero, Scott Van Slyke, Nick Buss, Justin Sellers and Mike Baxter. Non-roster invitees Justin Turner and the club’s No. 1 ranked prospect of 2014 according to Baseball America, Joc Pederson, are also here at Camelback Ranch – Glendale in advance of Thursday’s report date.
    (Alex Guerrero, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014)
BACK AT IT: Today marked the second group of pitchers to throw bullpen sessions as Zack Greinke, Josh Beckett, Chad Billingsley, Jamey Wright, Paul Maholm, Stephen Fife, Brandon League, Chris Withrow, Paco Rodriguez, Yimi Garcia and Pedro Baez threw off the mound on the backfields of Camelback Ranch – Glendale. Also throwing their first ‘pens of the spring were non-roster invitees Red Patterson and Carlos Frias.
  • Beckett officially reported to Spring Training today after having undergone season-ending surgery on July 10 to remove his right first rib to relieve pressure on his nerves caused by Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. In 2013, Beckett posted a 5.19 ERA in eight starts before being placed on the disabled list. The three-time All-Star and 2003 World Series MVP ranks sixth among active pitchers (min. 1,500 IP) with an average of 8.34 strikeouts per 9.0 innings in his career and ranks 12th in the Majors with 106 wins since the start of the 2005 season.
  • Billingsley, who also underwent season-ending surgery (Tommy John) on April 24 of last season, continued his rehab by throwing his first official bullpen of the spring today. Billingsley, the longest-tenured Dodger, made two starts before eventually being lost for the season in 2013, failing to post a double-digit win total for the first time since 2006.
(Josh Beckett, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014)

DO IT FOR THE KIDS: Outfielder Matt Kemp joined President Bill Clinton, Los Angeles Lakers’ star Kobe Bryant and other sports luminaries in a powerful conversation about the role of sports in the lives of children and the health of the nation through a town hall event on the topic, “Kids and Sports.” The event, which was originally taped two weeks ago in La Quinta, CA, was moderated by Mike Greenberg of ESPN Radio’s Mike & Mike, and aired last night on ESPN2.
(Kemp in the cage, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014)

ROME: Clayton Kershaw joined Jim Rome (via satellite) today for a sit-down interview that will air on Showtime on Wednesday, February 12 at 9:00 p.m. EST. Other guests on Wednesday’s episode include Dodger Partner Peter Guber, in addition to comedian Kevin Hart, Portland Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge and Syracuse Men’s Basketball Head Coach Jim Boeheim.

AMATEUR HOUR: College baseball takes center stage at Camelback Ranch-Glendale this weekend when Seth Rosin’s Minnesota Golden Gophers face Dodger General Manager Ned Colletti’s alma mater, the Northern Illinois Huskies, in a three-game series to open their 2014 seasons. The Gophers and Huskies will meet in the Camelback Ranch main stadium at 1:00 p.m. Friday-Sunday, February 14-16. Fans are invited to arrive after 9:00 a.m. to watch the Dodgers and White Sox morning workouts and stay for bonus college baseball in the afternoon. Admission is free and food and beverages will be available for purchase during workouts and the college games.

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A Campanella Plaque and Duke Snider Art Piece at Hunt Auctions

Hunt Auctions is currently running their monthly online auction and it includes a couple of nice Dodgers memorabilia items.  Check them out below.
(auction link)

Above is a commemorative plaque given to Roy Campanella in 1965 for attending the New York Yankees Old-Timers Game at Yankee Stadium.  The plaque reads:
New York Yankees
19th Annual Old Timers Day
Saturday July 31, 1965
Honoring All-Time Award Winners
Roy Campanella, Brooklyn Dodgers
Yankee Stadium Home of Champions.
The below piece is an original artwork by Steve Sax (no, not the former Dodger).  Sax is a Brooklyn born artist who is known in the sports world for his modern folk-art inspired artwork.  Below is a piece featuring Duke Snider grabbing a ball in front of the famed "Abe Stark" outfield sign at Ebbets Field.
(auction link)

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Dee Gordon got onto Twitter and Spoke with the Fans

Dee Gordon came onto the scene in 2011 and absolutely wowed the Dodger faithful.  He ran with the speed of a gelding while showing an ability to hit for average.  In that inaugural season he batted .304 in over 200 at-bats and stole 24 bases.  Still, there was room for improvement.
(Pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2011)

Unfortunately, the subsequent couple of years had not been fruitful for him.  He had earned the shortstop Opening Day position in 2012, but his on-base percentage suffered; along with his batting average.  Soon, he found himself back in the minors.

Today, Dee Gordon has another chance at earning a job on the big club.  There are questions about the Dodgers 2nd base position, and Dee Gordon finds himself in the thick of a competition for the job.

Can he reestablish himself as a top prospect and Major Leaguer?

We'll know that answer over the coming weeks.  What I do know now is that Dee Gordon has worked hard over the winter to bulk up.  Check out the photo below that he posted in Instagram recently.  The kid looks stacked.
(pic via Dee Gordon's Instagram)

Well, Dee will be heading to Camelback Ranch in the next few days to join other Dodger position players, so he decided to spend his last day at home with some fine folks on twitter.


Let the questions begin.


That's an easy one.  Dee Gordon's father is former Major League closer Tom Gordon.








265 lbs.  Not too bad!


A Stephen King fan.  Nice.


As Yogi Berra said, "Baseball is ninety percent mental and the other half is physical."




That's what Baseball is all about.  Can you persevere?


So far, so good.


Lastly, here's an Olympic question answered.


You should check out Dee Gordon's twitter account.  He answered a whole ton of questions - more than I could reasonably ever put in one post.  Go here: @FlashGJr.  On a side note, Dee seems to be a good guy, and I hope he continues to improve.  It would be great if he forces the Dodgers to make a difficult decision; i.e. he performs so well that he forces the Dodgers to keep him with the team.  I still have high hopes for him and would love to once again feel those good vibes that resonated back in 2011.

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *
* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *
By at Monday, February 10, 2014 0 comments
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