Dodgers Notes from Spring Training- Day 17

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 (2-1-1) vs. TEXAS RANGERS (2-3)

Friday, March 9, 2012 – 1:05 p.m., Surprise Stadium

LHP Clayton Kershaw vs. LHP Martin Perez

Spring Game 5/Road Game 3

Todays Starting Lineup:

Dodgers: Gordon SS, Hairston Jr. 3B, Kemp CF, Rivera DH, Ethier RF, Sands 1B, Sellers 2B, A.J. Ellis C, Van Slyke LF
Rangers: Kinsler 2B, Andrus SS, Hamilton CF, Beltre DH, Young 3B, Cruz RF, Murphy LF, Torrealba C, Moreland 1B

Upcoming Spring Training Schedule:

(Matt Guerrier plays video games w/ troops in Afghanistan as part of the Pros vs. GI Joes Program, via Twitter Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2012)

• IN FOR A SURPRISE: The Dodgers will bus to Surprise today for their first of two meetings this spring with the two-time defending AL-champion Texas Rangers. The two clubs will have a rematch one week from today at Camelback Ranch – Glendale and haven’t met in the regular season since 2009, when the Dodgers took two of three in Arlington. Los Angeles holds an 11-9 advantage in their all-time meetings.

• SHOWING THEIR ATHLETIC SIDE: Los Angeles rallied for two runs in the first inning off Oakland prospect Jarrod Parker and cruised to a 7-2 victory yesterday over the A’s at Camelback Ranch. Mark Ellis drove in two against his former teammates as did one-time Oakland prospect Andre Ethier, who continued his hot spring with his third extra-base hit in as many games (two doubles, home run). Chris Capuano struck out three in 2.0 scoreless innings in his Dodger debut and Todd Coffey fanned two in his 1-2-3 inning of relief after his signature sprint in from the bullpen.

(A slugging Matt Kemp, pic credit Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2012)

• LONE STAR LEFTY: Dallas native Clayton Kershaw makes his first official start of the spring against his hometown team today after striking out five in 2.0 innings in an intrasquad game on Sunday. Kershaw, who turns 24 on March 19, looks to continue his momentum from the end of last season after he went 8-0 with a 0.96 ERA (7 ER/65.2 IP) and a .192 opponents’ batting average over his last nine 2011 starts. The eight straight wins represent a career-long winning streak for the left-hander. The Highland Park High School graduate took home a number of awards last season, including a Rawlings Gold Glove and the NL Cy Young Award, but was also honored in his hometown by winning the Texas Professional Baseball Player of the Year Award for the second time in the last three years.

• THE BULLPEN: RHP Ryan Tucker, a Burbank native, will get the chance to face his old teammates today after earning an American League Championship ring with Texas last season. The 25-year-old, who was selected by Florida with the 34^th overall pick in the 2005 First-Year Player Draft, spent the entire 2011 season in the Ranger organization and appeared in five games with the big league club. In addition to Tucker, RHP Ronald Belisario, RHP Josh Wall, RHP Fernando Nieve, RHP Angel Guzman, LHP Scott Rice and LHP Matt Chico are expected to follow Kershaw to the mound this afternoon.

(Dee Gordon on deck, pic credit via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2012)

• THIS IS YOUR CHANCE!: Major League Baseball has launched its fourth annual Honorary Bat Girl contest. Fans are encouraged to visit HonoraryBatGirl.com to submit stories online about how they, or someone they know, are “Going to Bat Against Breast Cancer” in their daily life and why they would like to be an "Honorary Bat Girl" for their favorite MLB Club this Mother’s Day. Nominations and voting end on April 5, so log on today and make someone’s dream come true.

• DRESS TO IMPRESS: The Dodgers will host the 17^th annual Community Job Fair tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. at Dodger Stadium. Last year, more than 3,600 people found employment at the free event, which features more than 100 companies. Applicants are encouraged to wear appropriate business attire, bring copies of their resume and visit LACommunityJobFair.com
  for more information.

• IT’S GETTING CLOSER: The 3^rd annual Dodgertown Classic is just four days away and will take place on Tuesday, March 13 at Dodger Stadium with UC Irvine taking on Pepperdine at 2:00 p.m. and USC battling their crosstown rival UCLA at 6:30 p.m. There will be discounted concessions and free parking with an all-day ticket costing only $7 in advance and $12 on gameday.

• GONE CAMPING: The Dodgers Dream Foundation will host two four-day sessions of the Dodgers Youth Baseball Camp this summer at Dodger Stadium. All campers will be instructed by members of the Dodgers Major League coaching staff, as well as Dodger Alumni, on the finer points of baseball, from hitting, running, fielding and throwing. During camp current Dodger players will visit to talk on a number of topics including the importance of school, sportsmanship and what it is like to be a professional baseball player. Session 1 will be held July 12, 13, 16 & 17 and Session 2 will be held August 3, 6, 7 & 8. Camp is open for boys & girls ages 7 - 12 years old. Limited spots are available, register today at www.dodgers.com/camp.

2012 Topps Opening Day- The Dodgers Within

As noted previously, this set is fairly "ho-hum." It really doesn't excite me much and I think the collecting world would be better off if they were never made. Unfortunately, I don't control the cog at Topps, so I have no control over such things. Still, couldn't they at least use different photos than what is available in Topps current flagship card set?

The above cards are the 6 Dodger base cards and you will notice they are exactly the same as the normal Topps base card set released in early February. In fact, the only difference is the little "Opening Day" logo on the bottom right of each card.

On the other hand, this base set does provide something new. On the bottom left is our first glimpse at a 2012 Clayton Kershaw base card. The Series 1 set released previously did not include Kershaw.

For Dodger fans there really isn't much to be happy about when it comes to limited insert cards. Check out the only ones you will find. No relics or autographs are known at this time. Below is a Opening Day Fantasy Squad insert card of Matt Kemp.
The next two are Opening Day Stars cards of Kemp and Kershaw. These are 3D cards that are similar to the Sportsflix cards made in the late 80's.
Other than the Kershaw base card I mentioned above, this card below may be the only reason this set even enters my mind. Here is a Superstar Celebration card of a, I assume, walk-off win. I love that they captured him sporting one of those throwback uniforms from last season.

Hake's Auctions: Awesome Baseball Collectibles

I've got Hake's Auction on my mind this week. Here is my third post (see 1 & 2) featuring items from their current auction and I think it's important to note that this might be the most fun of the three. This time I feature some very cool Baseball collectibles. Check them out below.

I happen to love vintage Baseball figurines and this grouping is beyond awesome. Originally produced in 1958 it features 6 cartoon characters playing ball. The come from the Studios of Walter Lantz- creator of such lovable characters as Woody Woodpecker and Chilly Willy.

Includes Woody Woodpecker pitching, Wally Walrus catching, Oswald as umpire, Knothead & Splinter cheering at bat rack, Andy Panda batting, and Chilly Willy selling popcorn and peanuts.

(Auction Link)

Circa 1930's Mickey Mouse figurines from Japan in a Baseball theme are below.

(Auction Link)

For some reason I really like this two postcards. They both come from the collection of Richard Merkin, who I wrote about previously, and feature some rather large fellows playing ball.

First is dated June 30, 1908 on reverse showing "World's Largest Ball Player. Member Of Citizens Baseball Team Weight 450lbs. Emporium, Pa." Several different in this series by Weiman. This one shows player in uniform holding bat at home plate. Second postcard is c. 1910 showing ten member team in "Fat Mens Amusement Co." uniform on field with crowd in bkg. Mostly obese men as well as one little person.

These are likely related to a couple of barnstorming teams from the early part of the 20th Century.

(Auction Link)

Dodgers Notes from Spring Training- Day 16

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

OAKLAND A’S (4-2-1) vs. LOS ANGELES DODGERS (1-1-1)

Thursday, March 8, 2012 – 1:05 p.m., Camelback Ranch - Glendale

RHP Jarrod Parker vs. LHP Chris Capuano

Spring Game 4/Home Game 2

Todays Starting Lineup:

Dodgers: Gordon SS, Mark Ellis 2B, Kemp CF, Ethier RF, Rivera LF, Loney 1B, Uribe 3B, Federowicz C, Kennedy DH
A's: Weeks 2B, Pennington SS, Smith LF, Carter 1B, Gomes DH, Donaldson 3B, Cowgill RF, Choice CF, Recker C

Upcoming Spring Training Schedule:

(On the bus with the Dodgers, via twitter Jon SooHoo @Dodgers)

• YOU’RE GOING TO HOLLYWOOD: This morning was the annual “Dodger Idol” competition at camp during which the players in their first Major League camp perform a musical number for the amusement of their teammates and staff. The details are under lock and key, but the participants were Nathan Eovaldi, Stephen Fife, Josh Wall, Chris Withrow, Alex Castellanos, Matt Wallach, Gorman Erickson, Will Savage and the winner, Scott Rice. Rice was the lone entertainer to perform an original music composition.

• YOU AGAIN?: The Dodgers will take on the Oakland Athletics for the second straight day this afternoon after the two clubs tied 3-3 yesterday at Phoenix Municipal Stadium. The two clubs will also meet for a three-game Interleague series from June 19-21 at Oakland. The A’s have won 13 of 22 all-time regular season contests between the franchises with the California neighbors splitting their two World Series matchups in 1974 and 1988.

(The view from the press box at Phoenix Stadium, via twitter @TheReal_DV)

• INSPIRATION: The Dodgers would like to welcome Cory Hahn and his father, Dale, to Camelback Ranch today. Hahn is a former Santa Ana Mater Dei High School star baseball player and won the 2010 Orange County player of the year award, before being drafted by the Padres in the 26^th round of the 2010 draft. Hahn chose instead to attend Arizona State University, where in his third collegiate game he was paralyzed from the chest down after sliding headfirst into the second baseman’s knee on a stolen base attempt. Hahn was a guest of Dodger right fielder Andre Ethier and spoke to the entire team this morning

• SETTLING NOTHING: The Dodgers and A’s played to a 3-3 tie yesterday in Aaron Harang’s spring debut. Harang allowed two runs over 2.0 innings, but Kenley Jansen, Javy Guerra, Scott Elbert, Alberto Castillo and Will Savage all fired scoreless innings and the club came back to even things up. At the plate, the Dodgers managed just four hits with three of them coming off the bat of left fielder Cory Sullivan, who went 3-for-4 with a double.
  

  

(James Loney signing for Dodger fans during a Spring Training road game, via twitter Jon SooHoo/ LA Dodgers 2012)

• THE L.A. CC: Dodger left-hander Chris Capuano will make his official 2012 Cactus League debut this afternoon against Oakland. Capuano pitched 2.0 scoreless innings in an intrasquad game last Sunday on the minor league side. The Massachusetts native has limited left-handers to a .229 average over his nine-year Major League career, and won 11 games while working 186.0 innings last season for the New York Mets. Following Capuano to the mound will be RHP Stephen Fife, RHP Todd Coffey, RHP Matt Guerrier, RHP Mike MacDougal and LHP John Grabow. The Athletics will counter with RHP Jarrod Parker.

• THIS IS YOUR CHANCE!: Yesterday, Major League Baseball launched its fourth annual Honorary Bat Girl contest. Fans are encouraged to visit HonoraryBatGirl.com to submit stories online about how they, or someone they know, are “Going to Bat Against Breast Cancer” in their daily life and why they would like to be an "Honorary Bat Girl" for their favorite MLB Club this Mother’s Day. Nominations and voting end on April 5, so log on today and make someone’s dream come true.

• LEETCHY LEFTY: The Dodger roster will have two additions today and one is left-hander Brent Leach, who will wear No. 96 and suit up for the squad. Leach pitched in Japan last season, but made his big league debut for the Dodgers in 2009. The Mississippi native appeared in 38 games that year, going 2-0 with a 5.75 ERA for Joe Torre’s club. The other addition is RHP Javier Solano, who will wear No. 91.

Blog Kiosk: 3/8/2012

Here is a preview image of Matt Kemp's card from the upcoming 2012 Topps Finest set expected in stores on August 8th, via Cardboard Connection. Also, it was announced the other day that Topps signed an exclusive marketing deal with Japanese sensation Yu Darvish.

• Scott Andes at Lasorda's Lair breaks out his Ten Blue Commandments of the Dodgers Lineup.
  
• Beckett released more preview pics of 2012 Topps Heritage cards; including a Kemp and Koufax card. There was one card they have that is just too awesome not to put up here. Check it out below and see Beckett's post with those other pics here.
• Jim Caple at ESPN ranks the best looking Baseball uniforms and list the Dodgers as #1. (Hat Tip: Save the Dodgers)
• Dylan Hernandez at the LA Times reports that Andre Ethier's knee doing just fine. poised for a big year?

  "There's a squareness to him right now," Manager Don Mattingly said, explaining that Ethier's improved balance has translated into a more compact stroke.

• Ever since I was a kid I've had this at the back of my mind. Upper Deck is running a series called "How to Open a Trading Card Shop." Check out Part 1, here.
  
• The Albuquerque Isotopes just released their promotion schedule for 2012 and it includes a Dodger Stadium Replica and a Green Chile Pepper Bobblehead. Cool! See the schedule here.
  
• Bob Lemke asks a very good question. Whatever happened to the autographed baseballs given to the King Faisal of Iraq in 1952 by Jackie Robinson?

  Did they survive the July 14, 1958, coup d'etat in which a faction of the Iraqi army lined up the king, members of his family and servants in a palace courtyard and machine-gunned them? Did they survive the Saddam Hussein rule?
  
  Or perhaps the balls returned to the U.S. in the dufflebag of an Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran who "found" them in the palace, museum or archives in Baghdad?

• I don't care much about jewelry, but found myself fascinated by a recent warehouse visit that held thousands of costume jewels made by Joseff of Hollywood and worn in some of Hollywood's greatest films from the Golden Era, via Collectors Weekly.
• Fresh Guacamole. Watch it. Really! Just watch it.

Video Link:

Weekend Autograph Opportunities:

Here are this weekends autograph opportunities throughout the Southland. As always, be sure to check the Blue Heaven Calendar for other events (a link can always be found on the tab at the top of this page, just left of center), and always confirm with the establishment. Everything is subject to change.

This weekend I am not aware of any Baseball related events. Oh, well. I guess that's not too surprising since Spring Training has just gotten started. Fortunately, there are a couple of signings taking place at Frank & Sons in the City of Industry on Saturday to occupy your time.

First, Lakers great and Basketball Hall of Famer James Worthy will be there from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM. See the flyer below for details. Here is a weblink, as well.

Also, coming out on Saturday is Oregon Duck running back and future NFL draft pick LaMichael James. He will be there from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM. Information can be found here. Event flyer is below.

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BTW, I do know of a couple Baseball player signings in Arizona for any Dodger fans who happen to be out there right now. Tonight, Thursday, March 8, Nelson Cruz of the Texas Rangers will be signing at the Oakley Store in Glendale, Arizona. Then on Friday, March 9, evening SF Giants slugger Pablo Sandoval will signing in Tempe, Arizona. They will only be signing items provided by the store, so don't bring your own stuff. You will have the option of either having a MLB/ Oakley player poster or Oakley Wilson Baseball to have signed.

Nelson Cruz
Thursday, March 8
7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Oakley Store - Arrowhead Towne Center
7700 W. Arrowhead Towne Center
Glendale, AZ 85308
(623) 334-6889

Pablo Sandoval
Friday, March 9
7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Oakley Store - Tempe Marketplace
2000 E Rio Salado Pkwy
Tempe, AZ
(480) 966-0261

Link here.

UPDATE:
Well... It appears that I was wrong. LA Inspiration points to a Baseball signing event featuring a Baseball player this coming Saturday. Former Angels ace Chuck Finley will be signing for the first 300 fans in Irvine. Details below:

Saturday, March 10th
10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Living Spaces Irvine
101 Technology Dr.
Irvine, CA
(949) 453-6700