Pitchers & Catchers Report Today!

Today is the day we have all been waiting for.  Dodger Pitchers and Catchers are to report to Camelback Ranch for Spring Training today.

Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

On Tuesday, the excitement shifts to Arizona, where Dodgers pitchers -- plenty of them -- and catchers report to Spring Training.

The first battery workout at Camelback Ranch-Glendale will be Wednesday. Position players report Friday, with the first full-squad workout scheduled for Saturday.

"Yes, if everything goes right we could be better than anyone," club president Stan Kasten told MLB Network Radio. "But we have question marks like every team has question marks. We have to see if we can avoid injuries. Still, it's very exciting that we can begin the season thinking we really do have a chance, for real. You don't have to imagine a lot of things happening for it to result in a postseason team, if we can get some breaks to go our way."

I can't wait to see how things develop. 

For those folks heading out to Arizona to enjoy some Spring Baseball and to hunt down some Dodgers for autographs, I put together a list of Dodger players with their jersey numbers to help you out.  The list isn't entirely complete, but it should provide a good starting point.

0                      Alfredo Amezaga (non-roster invitee)        
3                      Skip Schumaker           
5                      Juan Uribe  
7                      Nick Punto                   
6                      Jerry Hairston Jr.
8                      Don Matingly (Manager)
9                      Dee Gordon   
10                    Tony Gwynn Jr. (non-roster invitee)
12                    Mark McGwire (Batting Coach)            
13                    Hanley Ramirez           
14                    Mark Ellis 
15                    Davey Lopes (1st Base Coach)         
16                    Andre Ethier                                     
17                    A.J. Ellis         
18                    Tim Federowicz                     
21                    Zack Greinke             
22                    Clayton Kershaw   
23                    Adrian Gonzalez         
25                    Carl Crawford
26                    Tim Wallach (3rd Base Coach)                 
27                    Matt Kemp           
29                    Ted Lilly                 
30                    Eliezer Alfonzo (non-roster invitee)                
31                    Brandon League   
33                    Ramon Castro (non-roster invitee)                         
35                    Chris Capuano         
36                    Matt Palmer (non-roster invitee)                                        
37                    Elian Herrera             
38                    Shawn Tolleson   
40                    Rick Honeycutt (Pitching Coach)
41                    Aaron Harang          
43                    Ken Howell (Asst. Pitching Coach)
44                    Dallas McPherson (non-roster invitee)  
45                    Trey Hillman (Bench Coach)                  
46                    Josh Wall   
47                    Luis Cruz        
48                    Brian Barden (non-roster invitee)        
49                    Alex Castellanos 
50                    Chuck Crim (Bullpen Coach)                         
51                    Ronald Belisario 
52                    John Valentin (Asst. Batting Coach)       
54                    Javy Guerra       
55                    Matt Guerrier      
56                    J.P. Howell                           
57                    Scott Elbert                                                          
58                    Chad Billingsley 
59                    Stephen Fife               
60                    Jeremy Moore (non-roster invitee)             
61                    Josh Beckett                    
62                    Omar Luna (non-roster invitee)                       
63                    Nick Evans (non-roster invitee)                       
64                    Ozzie Martinez (non-roster invitee)                  
65                    Wilkin Castillo (non-roster invitee)                  
66                    Yasiel Puig       
67                    Kelvin De La Cruz (non-roster invitee)
68                    Chris Withrow  
71                    Gregory Infante (non-roster invitee)
72                    Justin Sellers  
73                    Juan Abreu (non-roster invitee)
74                    Kenley Jansen
75                    Paco Rodriguez
70                    Jesus Flores (non-roster invitee)
76                    Peter Moylan (non-roster invitee)
79                    Steve Ames 
80                    Matt Magill
85                    Rob Flippo (Bullpen Catcher)
86                    Fumimasa Ishibashi (Bullpen Catcher)
99                    Hyun-Jin Ryu

28    Mark Lowe
77    Kevin Gregg
54    Eddie Oropeso  (Puig Mentor)

(UPDATE: numbers updated 2/12/2013)

And here is the pregame schedule for a typical spring training game.

BATTING PRACTICE:                            

Afternoon Games (1:05 p.m. starts):  

Dodger BP: Until 11:15 a.m.
Visitor BP: 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
Visitor Infield: 12:20 p.m.-12:30 p.m.
Dodger Infield: 12:30 p.m.-12:40 p.m.

Night Games (7:05 p.m. starts):

Dodger BP: Until 5:15 p.m.
Visitor BP: 5:15 p.m.-6:15 p.m.
Visitor Infield: 6:20 p.m.-6:30 p.m.
Dodger Infield: 6:30 p.m.-6:40 p.m.

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My Afternoon at the Long Beach Expo

This past weekend was the Long Beach Expo, so I decided to head out there on Saturday to check things out.  I received a free admission ticket due to my PSA Collectors Universe Set Registry membership.  (I know I haven't spoken about this in the past, but I've been slowly putting together a completely graded, PSA 7 or better, 1961 Fleer set)  I wasn't planning on purchasing anything this afternoon, but I ended up walking away with a handful of vintage cards.  Unfortunately, I haven't scanned them yet, so pics are not included in this post.  I'll scan them later tonight and post them up tomorrow.

Of special note, there were several notable autograph guest slated to appear.  So, going to the show had the extra benefit of seeing some stars.  On the left below is a peek at Jerry West, to the right is Magic Johnson, and below them was Darryl Strawberry.  The Straw-Man was not there as an autograph guestt.  I didn't see him sign for anyone, but I also didn't hang around long enough to find out.  Click on any pic to embiggen.

Another reason to go to this show was to see 7 different T206 Honus Wagner cards all at one place. The Wagner in the Black bordered lucite case was graded at a PSA 5 and will be on auction soon.  The attractive sales model speculated that it would sell for over a million dollars, and could come close to the record setting price sold for the PSA 8 Wagner (approximately at the low $2Million mark).  She went to say that the PSA 8 Wagner is likely worth over $8Million.  Personally, I think that's just a bunch of sales talk, but considering the mystic and controversy of that card, my jaw wouldn't drop if it sold for that much.  

Since the Long Beach Expo is more known for being a gathering place for coin, stamp and currency collectors there were some great non-sports related memorabilia on display.  For instance, check out a Peace Medal Exhibit below.

I also chatted a bit with someone from Legendary Auctions.  They had a small display near the autograph area.  Below are some photos I look of what they had to show.  Of note is the small pin on the left side, below.  It is a 1915 PM1 pin purported to be of Babe Ruth, and is the only example of him known to exist.  On the right side, below, is an early 1910's Ty Cobb Tobacco Tin.  Only a dozen are thought to exist today.

On the left is a 1912 S81 Turkish Trophies Large Silk Premium of Ty Cobb, and on the right is a 1951 Stan Musial game-used road jersey.

I also stopped by the Goldin Auctions table to take a closer look at the Tip Top Bread Labels near-set (at the very bottom below- red bordered).  It is missing just one card, and includes all known variations.  The Roy Campanella and Duke Snider labels are at the very bottom right.  These are extremely rare to find in any condition.  Above the labels are various key vintage cards; (from left to right) like a Babe Ruth strip card, a 1909 E90-1 Joe Jackson rookie card, a 1933 Goudey Napoleon Lajoie, a 1933 Goudey Babe Ruth, and 1933 Goudey Lou Gehrig.  The card at the very top is a Exhibit card with Babe Ruth.

(pic via GoldinAuction facebook)

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Dodgers Blog Kiosk: 2/11/2013

Above is an amazingly cute drawing of Hyun-Jin Ryu, via MyKBO on twitter. Ya know what, cute and Baseball should never mingle.  The fan who drew it has her own website filled with Korean Baseball cuteness.  Check it out here.

• Bob Lemke tells us about the first time Pee Wee Reese was thrown out of a game.  It's a great story.
• Steve Dilbeck of the LA Times wonders if this is the year for a Dodgers - Angels World Series.
• Uber Dodger fan Alyssa Milano shares a family moment on her MLB Blog.  In the video she takes a swing with a mini bat as little Milo looks on.  He adorably screams, "goal, baby!"
• It's great that the Dodgers contributed some award money for the capture of that fugitive former cop (via Dayn Perry at CBS), but what the heck is up with police officers shooting innocent people in their chase to find him?  In every case of mistaken identity, not one person looks anything like the guy they are looking for- not even close.  Do folks who drive a dark colored pick-up truck need to worry about being shot at by the police?  Look, I know their job is tough, but don't these recent actions denote that a bigger problem is afoot? 
• Joe Lucia at the Outside Corner reviews each team's offseason.
• Topps is bringing back the Turkey Red brand, and it will be a online exclusive- meaning that collectors will only be able to purchase packs at the Topps website, here.  Pre-Sale begins tomorrow.  Clayton Kershaw, Andre Ethier, Matt Kemp, Hanley Ramirez, Adrian Gonzalez and Zack Greinke are in the 100 card set.  Deliveries begin on the 18th of this month.
• Tara Copeland at Arta takes a behind the scenes look at the Ebony photo shoot featuring Matt Kemp and his mother.
• Mark Townsend at Big League Stew tells us about the sad state of affairs with the Miami Marlins.  MLB should kick that owner out of Baseball.  Jeffrey Loria must go!
• Sports betting to be legal in California?  There's a bill in the California legislature to do just that, via Sports Business Digest.

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Clowning Around the Demolition of Ebbets Field - 1960

Following up on an auction item I featured last week, I bring to you another eBay item featuring a torn-up Ebbets Field.  Like in the previous photo, the demolished remnants of the old borough park still remains.  The skeleton of the old facade is the last thing standing, while piles of debris litters the field and grandstands.

In the foreground, several men can be seen 'clowning' around.  One hilariously costumed gentlemen carries around a large mallet, as if prepared to knock the place down himself.  Three other bearded little people, dressed as the Dodgers version of Eddie Gaedel, try to quietly scamper down the stairs. The look of dejection is clearly on their faces.  Although they are clowns meant to put a smile on your face, you can't help but notice the sadness in their eyes. 

The above photo negative recently sold on eBay at $58.00.

(auction link)

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Sunday Dodger Videos: Dodger Stadium Construction, Hanley Ramirez and Clayton Kershaw

Here are this Sundays Dodgers Videos.

Stadium Bound provides a look at the current state of Dodger Stadium, as of 2/8/2013.  As you can see, they have already started laying the concrete that would be the roof of the new clubhouse area.  It looks like the major construction part of the project is about to be done.  Check out Part 1 and Part 2 below.

Video Link:

Part 2.

Video Link:

Take a look back at Hanley Ramirez's arrival to the Dodgers.  SportsHighlights32 reviews his 2012 season as a Dodger.

Video Link:

Clayton Kershaw talks about his hip injury, the Dodgers' offseason moves, playing for Don Mattingly, and the rivalry between the Angels and Dodgers.

Video Link:

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Dodgers Blog Kiosk: 2/9/2013

The Dodgers clubhouse at Camelback Ranch is looking ready to go for Spring Training.  Pic via twitter @Dodgers.

• Eric Stephen at True Blue LA puts together his 2013 off-season review of the Dodgers.
• With Spring Training around the corner, JP Hoornstra at Inside the Dodgers takes a look at the Dodger Relievers that will be in camp.
• Topps unveiled an early look at some 2013 Topps Opening Day cards on twitter.  Do you see the Hanley Ramirez card?

• REA has provided a brief preview for their 2013 auction, and it includes a couple of Sandy Koufax game-used jersey's.  Below is a 1963 jersey, when he won both the Cy Young and MVP awards.

• David Waldstein at the New York Times reviews Mike Piazza's new book, 'Long Shot.'

Piazza writes that he was a brat at times during his baseball career, selfish, moody and immature. He says that he was occasionally a poor teammate, aloof and entirely too consumed by what was going on in his world. He says that when he received his biggest payday — a seven-year, $91 million deal with the Mets — he was frightened to the point of paralysis.  

Piazza also addresses the steroid question.

“It shouldn’t be assumed that every big hitter of the generation used steroids,” Piazza says in the book. “I didn’t.”

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