Don't Make Your Spring Training Plans Yet

This coming Spring will be the Dodgers last in Vero Beach, Florida. As you can imagine, as a result, Dodger fans are expected to come out in droves in hopes of experiencing Dodgertown one last time. Unfortunately, fans may start turning Blue. The Dodger exhibition schedule in Florida may be shorter than desired.

The Los Angeles Dodgers' scheduled final spring training at Dodgertown may be cut in half...

Los Angeles is one of several teams being considered for Major League Baseball's first games in China. Those exhibitions are tentatively set for March 15-16. If the Dodgers were selected for the China series, team officials have stated that they are also considering a stopover in Taiwan to play additional exhibition games.

Further, the Dodgers could then spend the remaining part of spring training in Arizona at the Oakland Athletics training complex in Phoenix. The A's facility would only be available if Oakland were selected to play the Boston Red Sox in a two-game, season-opening series in Japan on March 22-23.

It is not clear whether Los Angeles would continue to play spring training games at Dodgertown at the same time it was participating in exhibition games in China and Taiwan.

What a shame. Dodgertown's last hurrah may end up being nothing more than a whimper. I was hoping to get out there one last time, but now it looks like my plans may be foiled.

There is one glimmer of hope.

The 2008 Spring Training season will be the Dodgers 61st in Vero Beach. The team is scheduled to move to a new spring training complex in Glendale, Ariz., in 2009, however, the completion date for construction on that new facility has not been finalized. If it is not done in time for 2009, one option the Dodgers would have is to remain in Vero Beach.

2008 may not be the last Spring at Vero Beach.

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Congratulations Russell!

Russell Martin tops off the 2007 season with his first Gold Glove award.

He led all Major League catchers with 145 games caught, posted a 3.95 catcher's ERA -- good for fourth-best in the league. He threw out 30 percent of potential opposing base stealers and picked two runners off base. He was charged with 14 errors and five passed balls.

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Delwyn Young Turning Heads for Team USA

The Dodger rookie prospect is on a tear and folks are taking notice. This guy can just plain hit.

Young, who is batting a Team USA-best .529, helped the national squad improve to 3-2 entering Thursday's fall finale against the Peoria Saguaros at Scottsdale Stadium. Team USA will then fly to Taiwan on Thursday night to prepare for the IABF World Cup, which begins Nov. 6.

If the regular season and AFL results are any indication, Young will be a major part of Team USA's offense against international competition. The Los Angeles native finished third in the Pacific Coast League with a .338 average to go with 17 homers and 97 RBIs. He also led the PCL and finished second in the Minors with 54 doubles.

Those numbers didn't take a dip during his Major League callup as Young hit .382 with two homers and three RBIs in 19 games with the Dodgers. He batted .778 in his first three AFL contests, including a stretch of five straight hits.

Andy LaRoche is also playing for Team USA.

Imagine if Pierre was not in the mix. We could potentially have one of the youngest, best defensive and most explosive outfields in Baseball. The Dodgers could have Andre Ethier in left, Matt Kemp in center and Young in right.

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It's Official!

Well... now we have a new manager. Joe Torre has joined the team of his youth. The Brooklyn born captain will now try to steer this wayward ship towards port. Take us home Joe! Take us home towards the promised land!

Welcome to the Blue, Joe!

Aren't you glad you don't have deal with a shifty owner? That Steinbrenner sure was a pain in the ass, eh. Oh wait, we have the McCourt's.

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No Way

You won't believe this. In the Topps 2007 Update boxes they have created a short printed insert card for a squirrel. Yes, a squirrel! Not any squirrel, mind you, but the famous squirrel Poley Walnuts.

They'll make a card for just about anyone. eBay Auction Link:

BP's 2007 Internet Baseball Awards

Baseball Prospectus just released their 16th annual 2007 Internet Baseball Awards. Over 1,400 fans participated in online voting. As you might have expected no Dodger made the top of the list, but we do have some notables worth mentioning.

Brad Penny had his best year as a Dodger. He won 16 games with only 4 losses, and his ERA was at 3.03. He ended up third on BP's NL Cy Young voting. Takashi Saito was the highest ranking reliever at #12 as he continued to impress the league with a 1.40 ERA, 39 saves and 78 strike outs versus only 13 walks in 64 innings.

In Rookie of the Year voting James Loney came in at 7th place. If given a chance to play all year he could very well have won this race. He hit .331 with 67 RBI's and 15 homeruns in just 344 at-bats. He has solidified his position as the Dodgers first baseman of the future, and, I suspect, will only get better. I believe several Gold Gloves and batting titles will follow this young man.

In spite of the recent turmoil currently embroiling management we have a lot to look forward to. All three gentleman above will be in Blue next season and, hopefully, for much longer than that.

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