Dodgers Notes from Spring Training: Full-Squad Workout #6

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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(Adrian coaching his daughter, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014)

ARE WE THERE YET?: Just a week away from their Cactus League opener against the D-backs at Salt River Fields - Talking Stick, the Dodgers took to the fields at Camelback Ranch – Glendale for the sixth full-squad workout of 2014.

• Another round of hitters faced live pitching today, as three groups of hitters encountered Dan Haren, Kenley Jansen, Chris Perez, Josh Beckett, Brian Wilson, J.P. Howell, Stephen Fife and non-roster invitee Chris Reed.
• Newcomer Dan Haren, who is a three-time All-Star, is 129-111 with a 3.74 ERA in 327 career games (316 starts) and has posted double-digit win totals in his last nine seasons, ranking among the Major League leaders in quality starts (194, 1st), innings (1927.2, 2nd), wins (123, 4th) and strikeouts (1661, 4th) since 2005. The right-hander is among the game’s best when it comes to limiting walks, ranking first among active pitchers with 1.87 walks-per-nine innings and his 4.08 strikeout-to-walk ratio ranks third all-time in the live-ball era (min. 1500 IP).
• Also a new face to the Dodgers is right-handed reliever Chris Perez, a 28-year-old who has notched 132 saves and posted a 3.41 ERA in six seasons with St. Louis (2008-09) and Cleveland (2009-13). The two-time American League All-Star has fared well against NL opponents, posting a 3.35 ERA (29 ER/78.0 IP) in 84 career appearances.

GETTING THEIR REPS IN: The Dodgers will play in two inter-squad games on Sunday, Feb. 23 and Monday, Feb. 24 on the backfields of Camelback Ranch - Glendale. Pitchers schedule to throw on Sunday include Matt Magill, Hyun-Jin Ryu, Chris Perez, Brian Wilson, Kenley Jansen and J.P. Howell. On Monday, Stephen Fife, Dan Haren, Chris Reed, Paco Rodriguez and Jamey Wright each will pitch.

"Hey @kenleyjansen74, your ball cuts a little bit." -@AJEllis17: https://t.co/ouAqy9PaoX
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) February 19, 2014

A WARM WELCOME: There has been a steady stream of familiar faces to arrive at Camelback Ranch – Glendale in the last few days, including Sandy Koufax, Orel Hershiser, Tommy Davis and Eric Karros. Today, yet another person to arrive for the first time to 2014 camp was Dodger Owner Todd Boehly, who spent the morning visiting with players, coaches and Dodger alumni.

PING-PONG RALLY’S ON: The Dodgers’ second annual double-elimination doubles ping-pong tournament continues in the Dodger clubhouse. In a shocking revelation today, the dynamic duo of non-roster invitee Daniel Moskos and right-handed pitcher Chris Withrow defeated last year’s inaugural champion, Clayton Kershaw and his partner Chad Billingsley, to advance to the quarterfinal round. All hope is not lost for Team Kershaw to defend the title, as the once undisputed ping-pong champion of the Dodgers must win four games in a row to reclaim the title.

(Ryu tries his hand at ping pong, via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014)

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The Tommy Davis 1961 Union Oil Dodger Family Booklet

Here is another installment featuring the 1961 Union Oil Dodger Family Booklet set.  Go here to see my past posts showcasing this set; including complete scans of both the Vin Scully/Jerry Doggett and Roger Craig booklets.

Tommy Davis was always going to be a Dodger.  He was born just 8 years before Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in Brooklyn, New York.  A standout athlete at Boys High School in Brooklyn, he was set to sign a professional contract with the Yankees in 1956, but a certain voice came calling.  Jackie Robinson gave him a ring and made a strong pitch on behalf of the team.  As you can imagine, the Brooklyn born child couldn't say no.  So, he started his career in Blue.

Davis made his debut with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1959 as a late-season call-up.  In that lone pinch-hit at-bat he struck out against journeyman reliever Marshall Bridges.  Fortunately, that was not entirely symbolic of his future.  The following season, he earned a spot on the regular roster to start the year, and soon established himself as one of the leagues best young stars. 

He played 7 full season in Los Angeles; batting a career .304, a slugging percentage of .441, and OPS+ of 117 as a Dodger.  To this day he holds various LA Dodger records; including most RBI's in a season with 153 (1962), most hits in a season with 230 (1962), most RBI's in the month of June (1962), and the top 2 season batting averages as a LA Dodger (1962 & 1963).

After the 1966 season he would be traded to the Mets.  Then, Tommy Davis would play for 9 different ballclubs over the next 10 season; thereby, going full circle.  He had become the journeyman ballplayer reminiscent of the man who struck him out in his very first Major League at-bat.

(Steve Yeager and Tommy Davis, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014)

As you know, Tommy Davis has remained a member of the Dodger family.  He is a constant presence at LA Dodgers charitable events, and is currently at Camelback Ranch advising youngsters during Spring Training.

Below are complete scans of every page from Tommy Davis' 1961 Union Oil Dodger Family Booklet.  Click any pic to embiggen.

One item of note, this booklet has been stamped by the gas station that originally gave it away.  As you can see, Rollie and Stan's Union Service in Glendale gave this booklet to an eager fan.  Although many collectors might see this stamp as a unwanted blemish, I believe otherwise.  I think of it as a beautiful scar that tells you a bit about its past - a mark that is to be remembered and recalled. 

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Weekend Autograph Opportunities: Hockey, Football and Basketball

Here are this weekends autograph opportunities and events 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.  Please email me with any tips about upcoming events in Southern California.  As the rest of the week progresses I'll update this post with other events (if there are any) as I become aware of them.  Also, I don't always list every event below, so be sure to check my Calendar.  I always try to favor free signing events over paying events.  Click on any pic to embiggen.

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The Jackie Robinson of NHL hockey will be signing autographs at the OC Dugout in Anaheim.  Willie O'Ree will be siging on Saturday, February 22nd from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM.  He broke the color barrier in the NHL in 1957. Autographs start at just $20 each, and photo-ops are FREE with the purchase of any will-call autograph ticket for the event.  Go here for more information.

The OC Dugout (owners of OCSportsCards.com)
1238 S. Beach Blvd.
Ste. K
Anaheim, California 92804
(714) 527-6319

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Former LA Ram, Mike Lansford will be signing autographs at Harry's Dugout in Whittier on Sunday, February 23rd from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM.  Go here for more information.

Harry's Dugout
10715 Beverly Boulevard
Whittier, CA, 90601

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Los Angeles Lakers Center, Robert Sacre will be signing autographs at Westside Sports Cards & Memorabilia in Santa Monica on Saturday, February 22nd, from 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM.  Pricing:$20 for ANY ITEM Signed.  Go here for information.

Westside Sports Cards & Memorabilia
1431 Santa Monica Blvd
Santa Monica, CA 90404
(310) 828-1777

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Blog Kiosk: 2/19/2014 - Dodgers Links - Keeping Hanley Focused, Puig's International Impact and Dodger Ping Pong

Eric Karros and Mark McGwire are featured in the photo above, via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014.

• Here's a 360º tour of the Dodgers Weight Room at Camelback Ranch, via the @Dodgers on twitter.
• Ron Cervenka at Think Blue LA has some updated construction photos from Dodger Stadium.
• Miguel Rojas, a slick-fielding infielder vying for a job, just beat Kershaw, via a tweet from @markasaxon.

Apparently, Miguel Rojas does have great hands. He just beat reigning champ Clayton Kershaw in ping pong
— Mark Saxon (@markasaxon) February 18, 2014

• BTW, the Dodgers annual ping pong doubles tournament has just begun, via Josh Tucker at Dodger Insider.
• Via Mark Saxon at ESPN, "Seth Rosin hopes to deliver on promise".  Rosin was a Rule 5 Draft pick, so the Dodgers have to place him on the roster to keep him.
• Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Mattingly ensuring Hanley is not distracted".

"It's a conversation I wanted to have. I didn't want it hanging out there," said Mattingly. "I've been a player, I know. He knows what I think about him as a player."

• Mark Langill at Dodger Insider writes a piece titled, "Remembering Walter Alston".
• 2014 Topps Tribute officially comes out today.  Below are some preview pics, via Topps facebook page.  Do you see that '1 of 1' Puig batknob?  It's gorgeous.

• Via Jesse Sanchez at MLB.com, "Puig's impact goes beyond the field for Dodgers".

"New ownership came in and asked what were some of the things we needed to do immediately, and we said, 'We need to get engaged in Latin America like today,' and they said, 'Let's go,"' Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti said. "Puig became available and we made a push to sign him, but also to serve notice to other players in Latin America that we are back and we are real and we'll spend money for talent."

• Via Ben Badler at Baseball America, he shares a video from a Cuban League Baseball game, and it features a brawl on the field you will not believe.
• This isn't great news.  The Bob Feller Museum in Iowa is in financial trouble, via Tommy Birch at the Des Moines Register.

Feller “was the engine that powered that museum,” DiBiasio said. “With his passing, the business model is just not working.”

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Dodgers Notes from Spring Training: Full-Squad Workout #5

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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(Hyun-Jin Ryu and Yasiel Puig, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers

GROUNDHOG DAY: Just eight days away from their Cactus League opener against the D-backs at Salt River Fields - Talking Stick, the Dodgers took to the fields at Camelback Ranch – Glendale for the fifth full-squad workout of 2014.

• Another round of live batting practice took place today to close out the day’s workout, as Adrian Gonzalez, Hanley Ramirez, Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp faced off against left-hander Hyun-Jin Ryu and right-hander Matt Magill on Field 1. On Field 2, Yasiel Puig, Carl Crawford, Juan Uribe, Chone Figgins and Justin Turner took their cuts against left-handed pitcher Jarret Martin, right-handed pitcher Pedro Baez and right-handed pitcher Carlos Frias.

Hyun-Jin Ryu vs. Adrian Gonzalez: https://t.co/zW6exKfDyv
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) February 18, 2014

A WARM WELCOME: There has been a steady stream of familiar faces to arrive at Camelback Ranch – Glendale in the last few days, including the likes of Sandy Koufax, Orel Hershiser and Tommy Davis. Another Dodger great to arrive in camp today was Eric Karros, whose name is etched atop the LA Dodgers career home run list with 270, 42 ahead of Ron Cey. In Karros’ 14-year career, he was honored with the 1992 NL Rookie of the Year Award and the 1995 Silver Slugger Award for first basemen, the year in which he also finished fifth in the NL MVP voting. Karros will serve as a guest instructor while in camp.

(Koufax, Hershiser and Honeycutt are coaching Stripling, pic via @Dodgers on twitter)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!: Assistant Hitting Coach John Valentin and Coach/Spanish TV Broadcaster Manny Mota both celebrated their birthdays today at Camelback Ranch – Glendale.

• Valentin enters his second season as the assistant hitting coach after serving as a minor league coach in the Dodgers’ organization since 2008, following an 11-year Major League career with Boston (1992-2001) and New York-NL (2002). Valentin posted a career .279 batting average and was honored with the Silver Slugger Award with the Red Sox in 1995.
• Mota enters his 35th season as a coach with the Dodgers and 2014 will mark his 46th year with Los Angeles after a playing career that spanned parts of 13 seasons from 1969-1980 and 1982. During his 20-year-career, Mota hit .304 with San Francisco (1962), Pittsburgh (1963-68), Montreal (1969) and the Dodgers (1969-80, 82) while becoming baseball’s all-time pinch-hit leader with 150, a mark since broken by Lenny Harris and Mark Sweeney.

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

ALL DODGERS, ALL THE TIME: We’re just seven days away from the launch of SportsNet LA on February 25, the new 24-hour-a-day network of the Dodgers. SNLA will televise all of this year’s Dodger Cactus League games, with the exception of two split-squad games, giving fans more Spring Training coverage than ever before. In addition to airing games during Spring Training, SportsNet LA will also air a nightly show, “Access SportsNet: Dodgers,” at 7:00 p.m. PT.

• SNLA’s programming lineup will include new shows “Backstage: Dodgers,” “Access SportsNet: Dodgers,” “Leadoff LA,” “Dodgers Clubhouse,” “Connected With,” “Talkin’ Blue,” “Dodgermentary,” “Timeless Dodgers” and “Dodgers Squeeze Play” all set to air starting Feb. 25. For more information, please visit www.ineedmydodgers.com.
• Today, SNLA began filming a series of long-form interviews for the “Connected With” program. During the next few days, Orel Hershiser, John Hartung and Alanna Rizzo will sit down for extended interviews with Don Mattingly, Clayton Kershaw, Brian Wilson and Adrian Gonzalez for the network.

(Hershiser interviewing Koufax for SportsNet LA, pic via @alannarizzo on twitter)

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Looking at the 1989 Dodgers Unocal Pin Set

Following up on my posts from last week featuring pinbacks from the Dodgers Unocal pin set, I now share with you the pins from the 1989 set.  Go here to check out my previous post on these sets.

Check out all 6 pins from the 1989 pin set below.  The descriptions are from the cardboard backing that came with the original packaging for the pins.  As you can see, there is a definite theme involved.  Each one celebrates a Dodgers' World Series Championship.

Pin #1 - 1988 Dodgers vs. A's -Kirk Gibson's dramatic 2-run pinch-homer in the bottom of the ninth inning of Game 1 set the stage for the Dodgers' sixth World Championship, fifth in LA.  Orel Hershiser won two games, a 6+0 shutout and the complete game Series clincher, to earn MVP honors.

Pin #2 - 1981 Dodgers vs. Yankees -Rick Monday's winning homer against Montreal in the NLCS sent the Dodgers to the World Series.  After losing the first two games at Yankee Stadium, the Dodgers clinched the title by winning the next four straight.  The Series marked the first tri-MVP selection in World Series history - Steve Yeager, Pedro Guerrero and Ron Cey.

Pin #3 - 1965 Dodgers vs. Twins -The Twins had been blanked only twice all year, but the Dodgers shut them out three times, once by Claude Osteen and twice by Sandy Koufax.  Koufax was named Series MVP as Sweet Lou Johnson hit the game-winning homer in Game 7.

Pin #4 - 1963 Dodgers vs. Yankees -The Dodgers used only four pitchers - Sandy Koufax, Johnny Podres, Don Drysdale and Ron Perranoski - who compiled a team ERA of 1.00.  Koufax was named MVP, setting Series records by striking out 15 in Game 1, including the first five batters he faced.

Pin #5 - 1959 Dodgers vs. White Sox -An all-time attendance record was set as the Dodgers won their first World Series in Los Angeles.  Larry Sherry became the first pitcher to finish all four wins in a World Series, earning him MVP honors.  Charlie Neal (.370, 2 HR's, 6 RBI), Gil Hodges (.391, 1 HR) and Chuck Essegian (2 pinch-HR's) were the hitting stars.

Pin #6 - 1955 Dodgers vs. Yankees - The Dodgers won their first-ever World Championship and became the first to win seven games after losing the first two.  Pitcher Johnny Podres was the Series MVP and Duke Snider was the hitting star (.320, 4 HR's, 7 RBI).  Sandy Amoros turned in the play of the Series with a running catch that saved at least two runs, in game seven.

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