Dodgers Notes from Spring Training: Full-Squad Workout #1

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

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(pic link: twitter @Dodgers)

YOUR 2013 LOS ANGELES DODGERS: With the first full-squad workout of 2013, the countdown to Opening Day has officially started (hint: 44 days!). The 58 players in camp took part in conditioning exercises, a baserunning tutorial, defensive drills, bunting and a full batting practice. Catcher Eleizer Alfonzo remains the lone player yet to report due to family reasons.

• Tomorrow, bright and early (7:00 a.m.), the Dodgers will take part in the club’s annual Photo Day, flashing the pearly whites for photographers from the Associated Press, Baseball Digest, Baseball Magazine Sha, ESPN the Magazine, Getty Images, KCAL, MLB Photos, MLB.com, Topps, and USA Today.

NOTHING WEEK ABOUT IT: The Dodgers’ Cactus League opener against the White Sox is just one week away and today, Don Mattingly announced that Clayton Kershaw would not only be the starting pitcher when the exhibition season opens next Saturday, but would also be the club’s starter on Opening Day, April 1 vs. San Francisco. Kershaw will become the first Dodger to make three consecutive Opening Day starts since Derek Lowe, 2005-07. 

• Mattingly also announced that two of the Dodgers’ offseason acquisitions, right-hander Zack Greinke and left-hander Hyun-Jin Ryu, would both pitch in the club’s second Spring Training contest next Sunday against the White Sox. Greinke, the 2009 American League Cy Young Award winner, will get the start with Ryu entering in relief. 
• Ryu and Greinke joined Aaron Harang, Brandon League, Ronald Belisario, J.P. Howell, Javy Guerra, Josh Wall, Steve Ames, Peter Moylan, Kevin Gregg, Juan Abreu and Matt Palmer in throwing bullpens today.

(pic credit: Jon SooHoo/2013 LA Dodgers)

NEW IN BLUE: Though both reported a few days ago, Carl Crawford and Skip Schumaker donned the Dodger blue in an official capacity for the first time today:

• Crawford, 31, is entering his 12th Major League season with a .292 batting average, 118 home runs and 667 RBI in 1,396 career games with the Rays (2002-10) and Boston (2011-12). The four-time All-Star and former Silver Slugger and Rawlings Gold Glove Award winner leads all active players with 114 triples and ranks third among active players with 432 stolen bases. He’s led the American League in steals on four occasions and has had an 81.8% success rate on stolen base attempts in his career.
• Schumaker, 33, was acquired by the Dodgers from St. Louis in a December trade and has a .288 career batting average with 121 doubles, 23 homers and 211 RBI in 810 career games in eight big league seasons with the Cardinals. He has come through in the clutch throughout his career, batting .298 with runners on base, .295 with runners in scoring position and .359 with the bases loaded.

CUBAN MISSILES: Yasiel Puig took his first-ever Spring Training batting practice earlier today, which saw hard-hit line drives and a few towering shots that easily cleared the outfield wall on Camelback Ranch Field 3. Puig, 22, batted .354 with five homers and 15 RBI in 23 combined games with the Rookie-level AZL Dodgers and Single-A Rancho Cucamonga. The Cienfuegos, Cuba native played Winter Ball with Indios de Mayguez and will enter his second season with the Dodgers after signing as a free agent on June 29, 2012.

(pic credit: Jon SooHoo/2013 LA Dodgers)

WE ARE BLESSED: Dodger broadcast partner PRIME TICKET will televise an additional four games this spring at Camelback Ranch - Feb. 25 vs. CHC, Feb. 28 vs. LAA, March 7 vs. Texas and March 18 vs. Arizona. And the good news keeps coming as Hall of Fame broadcaster Vin Scully will call all four telecasts. It was previously announced that Scully would call the KCAL 9 games on March 17 vs. MIL and March 26 vs. COL, bringing his grand total to six Cactus League games.

COULD BE LEGENDARY: The Dodgers would like to wish a happy 50th wedding anniversary to Manny Mota and his wife, Margarita! Mota will join fellow Dodger alumni Ron Cey, Tim Leary, Fernando Valenzuela, Maury Wills and Steve Yeager to help celebrate a new season of Cactus League play next weekend at Camelback Ranch - Glendale’s inaugural Legends Weekend on Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 23-24. Former greats from both the Dodger and White Sox franchises will be on hand to sign autographs and greet fans from 11:30 am-12:30 pm before being introduced in pregame ceremonies for the club’s first Cactus League game at Camelback Ranch – Glendale against the White Sox at 1:05 pm on Saturday, Feb. 23.  I previously posted about the Legends Weekend the other day- check out that information here.

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Dodgers Blog Kiosk: 2/16/2013

Here's an early peek at the Hello Kitty fleece blanket that will be given out on April 17th, pic via twitter @Dodgers.

• Dan Epstein at Big Hair and Plastic Grass celebrates Ron Cey's birthday yesterday by sharing a couple of songs recorded by Cey.
• Via Steve Dilbeck at the LA Times, the Dodgers have sold a record number of season tickets.
• Check out some great Jackie Robinson photographs as collected by Ebony Magazine over the years and presented by the Sporting News.  (Hat Tip: Grant Brisbee at SB Nation)
• Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, Chris Withrow was in a major auto accident over the winter.

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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.

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(twitter link @Dodgers)

THE REAL DEAL: Today was the third day of workouts for pitchers and catchers at Camelback Ranch – Glendale and the report date for the rest of the squad. Even though many position players have already reported, some new faces arrived today, including Mark Ellis, Jerry Hairston Jr., Tony Gwynn Jr., Nick Punto, Hanley Ramirez and Juan Uribe. Tomorrow will be the first full squad workout of 2013 and the Dodgers will be sporting their home white uniforms.

ONE STEP CLOSER: Dodger hurlers Clayton Kershaw, Josh Beckett, Chris Capuano, Chad Billingsley, Stephen Fife, Matt Magill, Matt Guerrier, Javy Guerra, Shawn Tolleson, Paco Rodriguez, Kelvin De La Cruz, Chris Withrow, Gregory Infante and Mark Lowe all tossed their second bullpens of the spring this morning as Glendale heated up to 70 degrees by 11 a.m.

• Last season, the Dodger pitching staff, under the tutelage of eighth-year pitching coach Rick Honeycutt, allowed just 122 home runs, which was the fewest in the Major Leagues. Since Honeycutt’s first year in 2006, Los Angeles pitchers have given up just 936 home runs, the fewest in baseball over that time. Under the heading, “strange but true”, you can file this nugget: The Dodger pitching staff has allowed exactly 67 home runs at Dodger Stadium in each of the last three seasons.  

RYU’S RESPITE: On the final day of pitchers and catchers workouts, Camelback Ranch was a bit more serene as the large contingent of Korean media packed their things and headed over to Goodyear for the arrival of Reds’ outfielder Shin-Soo Choo. Yesterday, more than 30 writers, cameramen and photographers watched Dodger rookie Hyun-Jin Ryu throw his very first bullpen session in the Major Leagues. Dodger catcher A.J. Ellis came away impressed: "It was really good," said Ellis. "His fastball had command on both sides and the ball came out really well, with life to it. He has an easy, calm motion. He wasn't trying to impress the first time out, like some guys, and overthrow. He knew what he wanted to do and executed."

(twitter link @Dodgers)

WE ARE BLESSED: Dodger broadcast partner PRIME TICKET will televise an additional four games this spring at Camelback Ranch - Feb. 25 vs. CHC, Feb. 28 vs. LAA, March 7 vs. Texas and March 18 vs. Arizona. And the good news keeps coming as Hall of Fame broadcaster Vin Scully will call all four telecasts. It was previously announced that Scully would call the KCAL 9 games on March 17 vs. MIL and March 26 vs. COL, bringing his grand total to six Cactus League games.

• It has been quite some time since Scully was behind the microphone for at least six Spring Training contests in either Arizona or Florida and this will be the most Cactus League games he has ever called.     

A WHOLE LOT MORE BLUE: With the first full squad workout scheduled to commence tomorrow morning, that also means it’s time for the 2013 introductory meeting tomorrow at 8:45 a.m. Dodger skipper Don Mattingly will address the team and introduce various Dodger departments as he enters his third season at the helm of the club. In addition to Baseball Operations and Public Relations, who arrived on Monday, the marketing, video and community affairs departments all arrived this afternoon. In addition, Dodger President and CEO Stan Kasten pulled into town this morning and will also address the players and staff tomorrow morning.

RISE OF THE PENGUIN: The Dodgers would like to wish a very happy birthday to Dodger legend Ron Cey, who turns 65 today.  Cey will join fellow Dodger alumni Manny Mota, Tim Leary, Fernando Valenzuela, Maury Wills and Steve Yeager for Camelback Ranch - Glendale’s inaugural Legends Weekend on Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 23-24. Former greats from both the Dodgers and White Sox franchises will be on hand to sign autographs and greet fans from 11:30 am-12:30 pm before being introduced in pregame ceremonies for the club’s first Cactus League game at Camelback Ranch – Glendale against the White Sox at 1:05 pm on Saturday, Feb. 23.  I previously posted about the Legends Weekend yesterday- check out that information here.

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Dodgers Blog Kiosk: 2/15/2013

Heritage Auctions shared a pic on twitter of an incredible 1913 Brooklyn Superbas (as the Dodgers were known back then) game jersey that just got consigned to them for their upcoming April auction.  Wow!

• Dave Roberts is cancer free and a coach with the Padres, via Jay Paris at UT San Diego.

“It is that sense of optimism,'' said Roberts, as the Padres' first-base coach readies for Tuesday's reporting date. “Everyone is excited, and for the most part, everyone is healthy. The bodies are feeling good after the winter workouts.''

• Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, Hyun-Jin Ryu impresses in first Spring pitching session.

"It was really good," said Ellis. "His fastball had command on both sides and the ball came out really well, with life to it. He has an easy, calm motion. He wasn't trying to impress the first time out, like some guys, and overthrow. He knew what he wanted to do and executed."

• Via Yonhap News Agency, Hyun-Jin Ryu is happy about his first throwing session.  

"For a first session, I felt pretty good," Ryu said. "I had good command of my fastball. I plan to throw 10 more pitches in my next session on Sunday and throw more breaking pitches. My curve didn't break as much as I wanted."

The most interesting tidbit, though, has to do with a particular vice Ryu still maintains.  

Pressed about his smoking habits, Ryu shot back, "Smoking isn't a crime. I won't pay attention (to media reports)."

• Apparently, Ryu is getting some flack for his smoking habit.  So, former Dodger pitcher Seo Jae-Weong comes to his defense, and in the process makes an interesting comment, via Yonhap News Agency.

"More than half the MLB players smoke," claimed Seo, who pitched for three teams, including the Dodgers, from 2002 to 2007. "When I was with the Dodgers, a lot of pitchers and infielders smoked."

• Watch the Vin Scully interview that got Mike Piazza so bent out of shape, via Glen Walker at KTLA.  It's nothing like what Piazza describes.  Scully hardly had it out for him.
• In the least surprising news of the Spring, Mattingly names Brandon League as our closer, via ESPN.

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More Dodgers 2013 Spring Training Fantasy Cards

I just couldn't help myself last night.  As a flurry of new photographs from the initial days of Spring Training in Camelback Ranch goes online, I continued making some fantasy Baseball cards with them.  Check out my first stab at it here.  Today, I post up a bunch more.

First of all, most of the photos are from Dodgers photographer Jon SooHoo and can be found on his blog here.  Also, a Korean website had a bunch, as well (Naver.com).  BTW, the first fantasy card below of Hyun-Jin Ryu came directly from a twitpic of Ryu's.

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Tomorrow is National Hockey Card Day!

Tomorrow, Saturday, February 16th is National Hockey Card Day.  Go to participating stores for a free pack of Upper Deck hockey cards.  They made a special set and randomly inserted autographs. More information is here.  Also, Upper Deck's blog has information, as well.  Below are the 4 Kings cards in the 16 card set.

 

Below is a list of CA stores participating from Upper Deck list.  Go to this link for more info.  More stores may be added.  Also, be sure to call the store before attending to confirm that they do indeed have packs.  Again, Upper Deck's blog has more information, as well.  Click this link for more information.

TAYLOR'S BASEBALL CARDS & COLL
8682 BEACH BLVD. #101
BUENA PARK, CA 90621
(714) 827-7746

SOUTH BAY BASEBALL CARDS INC
1751 PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY
LOMITA, CA 90717
(310) 530-5818

THE BATTER'S BOX
4558 SHERMAN OAKS AVENUE
SHERMAN OAKS, CA 91403
(818) 304-8440

CARDBOARD LEGENDS
17218 SATICOY ST
VAN NUYS, CA 91406
(818) 342-8948

PJ'S SPORTS CENTER
1324 3RD AVE #3
CHULA VISTA, CA 91911
(619) 420-8176

BASEBALL CARDS PLUS
6401 EDINGER AVE
HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA 92647
(714) 898-5648

CARD PAVILION, THE
2423 N. TUSTIN AVE
SANTA ANA, CA 92705
(714) 541-4757

OC DUGOUT, THE
1238 S. BEACH BLVD #J
ANAHEIM, CA 92804
(714) 527-6319

BASES LOADED
3225 W SHAW AVENUE SUITE 104
FRESNO, CA 93711
(559) 225-9321

PENINSULA SPORTS CARDS
572 EL CAMINO REAL
BELMONT, CA 94002
(650) 595-5115

MVP PLEASANT HILL
1637 CONTRA COSTA BLVD
PLEASANT HILL, CA 94523
(925) 687-5710

Here's Upper Deck's commercial.

Video Link:

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