Dodgers Notes from Spring Training- Day 4

Matt Kemp signs for fans. Pic via Jon SooHoo/ Los Angeles Dodgers.

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

• THE MEN IN THE ‘PEN: With the majority of the starting rotation throwing yesterday, the Dodger relief corps took to the mounds today with Matt Guerrier, Todd Coffey, Ramon Troncoso, Kenley Jansen, Javy Guerra, Scott Elbert, Ronald Belisario, Josh Wall, John Grabow, Alberto Castillo and Matt Chico throwing bullpens today. Starters Chris Capuano, Stephen Fife and Will Savage joined the relievers for a Saturday throw-day.

• GOOD BREW: Todd Coffey threw his second bullpen session of Spring Training today as he enters his eighth Major League campaign following seasons with the Reds (2005-08), Brewers (2008-10) and Nationals (2011). Since making his debut in 2006, the 31-year-old had been one of the game’s best relievers at inducing ground balls with his 683 ground balls trailing only Chad Qualls (891), Shawn Camp (765), Matt Guerrier (732) and Mariano Rivera (692). In 69 games with the Nationals last season, Coffey posted a career-best .244 opponents’ batting average and ranked seventh in the NL by stranding 80.6% of inherited runners.

(Andre Ethier speaks with the meadia his first day in camp, via Jon SooHoo Twitter @Dodgers)

• CLUBHOUSE FILLING UP: Andre Ethier had his first workout of the season today at Camelback Ranch after his 2011 season was shut down early due to September knee surgery. Despite battling the injury all season, Ethier earned his second consecutive All-Star selection, was awarded his first Rawlings Gold Glove and posted the second-longest hitting streak in franchise history with his 30-game run in April and May. Juan Uribe and Ivan De Jesus also joined the group of Dodger position players working out today at Camelback Ranch – Glendale ahead of Monday’s report date for the full squad.

• GET ‘EM WHILE THEY’RE HOT: Single-game tickets will go on sale a week from today on Saturday, March 3 at 10:00 a.m. with fans having the opportunity to purchase a limited number of Opening Day tickets and as well as single-game regular season tickets at Dodger Stadium and on Dodgers.com. Prices on advanced individual tickets for the 2012 season after Opening Day – Top Deck, Reserve, Loge, Field, Right and Left Field Pavilions – have been reduced as much as $20 per ticket. Dodger fans are invited to celebrate the start of the 2012 Season in parking Lots B and P and enjoy their first Dodger Dog of the year. The Dodgers’ annual On Sale festivities will include music, trivia and contests and will be hosted by AM 570 Fox Sports Los Angeles. Additionally, fans that purchase at least one ticket at Dodger Stadium at the On Sale event will receive a Dodger gift.

(Matt Kemp & Juan Uribe, via Jon SooHoo Twitter @Dodgers)

• HEY, WHY NOT?: On March 1, the Dodgers will hold their annual open tryout here at Camelback Ranch – Glendale, hosted by the amateur scouting department. The tryout will take place from 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. and potential prospects can call 323-224-1512 for details and instructions.

• TROLLEY DODGERS: New for 2012, fans can ride a free trolley from the Westgate City Center to all Dodgers and White Sox games at Camelback Ranch – Glendale. The trolley stop is located on Westgate Boulevard right across from Yard House and drops off outside the ballpark. The trolley runs every 40 minutes starting at 11:00 a.m. with continuous service throughout and after the game.

Auction Recollection: Baseball is a Funny Game

If you haven't noticed yet, I recently created a new website that features cards and collectibles that I currently have for sale. You can find it through a link in the banner at the top right side of this website titled "Blue Heaven Collectibles." Anyway, I'm pretty happy with how it looks, but am always looking for any advise on how to make it better. Over the coming weeks and months I hope to populate it with more items.

In the meantime, I wanted to fill out the remainder of this post by highlighting a vintage set that I just adore. It is from 1900 and called Mayo T203 "Base Ball Comics" and a complete set of them sold a couple of years ago at Legendary Auctions for over $1,700.00.

The reason I point this set out isn't because it is just a delightfully funny set that is sure to put a smile on your face. Instead, it's because I have a handful of them for sale (see them here), and recently sold a couple of them through my new website.

Frankly, I was sorry to see them go. Heck, I always get a little bit of sellers remorse when I get rid of something. It's just that the set was no longer in my sights for future completion and I figured having some extra dollars in my pocket for other cards made more sense.

Anyway, check out all 25 cards in the set in this post and laugh out loud with me.

Of special note, the fellow I sold the two T203's to is working his way through completing a master set of these. That means that he is trying to get one of each card with each corresponding back advertisement that is available. In this case, there are two different known backs- a Mayo's Cut Plug and Winner's Cut Plug. So, in total he is searching for 50 total cards. I also want to add that he has been working on this master set for 22 years. That's right, he has to be the most patient man in the world.

BTW, if you happen to have any Winner's Cut Plug cards of these let me know. I would be happy to put you in touch with him.

Mailbag: Garrett Gould Bowman Sterling Auto Card

I've had this sitting on my desk for weeks, but am only now getting a chance to post about it. Here is a 2011 Bowman Sterling autographed card of Dodgers prospect Garrett Gould. I got it for a great low price of $1.38. Not too shabby, eh?

Dodgers Notes from Spring Training- Day 3

Pitching drills during Spring Training (Pic via Twitter: @DylanHernandez)

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

• ClaYton’s BACK: Reigning National League Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw threw his first official bullpen of the spring this morning, after being pushed back a couple of days due to mild back stiffness. Right-handed reliever Mike MacDougal also returned to the mound after being pushed back a day due to the same ailment as Kershaw. Four-fifths of the Dodgers’ projected starting rotation toed the rubber today as Aaron Harang, Chad Billingsley and Ted Lilly joined Kershaw on the hill. In addition to the aforementioned hurlers, Jamey Wright, Fernando Nieve, Angel Guzman, Wilfredo Ledezma, Josh Lindblom, Nathan Eovaldi, Chris Withrow, Scott Rice, Ryan Tucker and Michael Antonini threw bullpen sessions today.

(Kershaw during first bullpen session, piv via Jon SooHoo twitter @Dodgers)

• TED’S EXCELLENT ARRIVAL: Dodger left-hander Ted Lilly reported to camp today and threw his first bullpen following a two-day absence to witness the birth of his daughter Nora on Tuesday. In addition to Lilly, new Dodger outfielder Matt Angle, who was claimed off outright waivers from Baltimore yesterday, reported to Camelback Ranch – Glendale. A few position players were also spotted in the Dodger clubhouse, including Matt Kemp, James Loney, new Dodger second baseman Mark Ellis, Jerry Sands, Tony Gwynn Jr., Alex Castellanos, Alfredo Silverio and Dee Gordon. While many position players are already in camp, the full squad does not officially report until February 27 with the first full-squad workout on the following day.

• BEA GRATEFUL: The Dodgers would like to wish a very happy birthday to longtime organist Nancy Bea Hefley who will enter her 25^th season with the club in 2012. Nancy Bea has a repertoire of over 2,000 songs and last year the Dodger Sports Lab made an excellent video of our birthday girl. The video can be accessed by going to this link:

(Happy Birthday to Dodger organist Nancy Bea Hefley! Pic via twitter @Dodgers)

• THE BIG BOARD: Baseball America released its 23^rd annual Top 100 Prospects list in their most recent issue and three Dodger pitchers were included in the rankings. Right-hander Zach Lee checked in at No. 62 after being 89^th on last year’s list while RHPs Allan Webster (No. 95) and Nathan Eovaldi (No. 96) appeared back-to-back on the list. The latter two are on the club’s 40-man roster and Lee was the club’s first round draft pick in 2010 (No. 28 overall).

• HE’S ALWAYS WRIGHT: Dodger non-roster invitee Jamey Wright threw his second bullpen of the spring today as he looks to make the Dodgers his eighth Major League team following stints in Colorado (1996-99, 2004-05), Milwaukee (2000-02), St. Louis (2002), Kansas City (2003, ‘09), San Francisco (2006), Texas (2007-08), Cleveland (2010) and Seattle (2010-11). Wright was 2-3 with a career-best 3.16 ERA over 60 games with the Mariners last season.
  

• HEY, WHY NOT?: On March 1, the Dodgers will hold their annual open tryout here at Camelback Ranch – Glendale, hosted by the amateur scouting department. The tryout will take place from 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. and potential prospects can call 323-224-1512 for details and instructions.

Blog Kiosk: 2/24/2011

Panini just released their 2011 Playoff Contenders Baseball set this week. Check out the above dual Kemp and Kershaw card that can be found within it.

• If you don't already know, the Dodgers have a great gallery of photos available to gawk over on their website. Go here to check them out.
  
• The Dodgers minor league team, Great Lakes Loons, will be giving out a Clayton Kershaw figurine during their game on June 12th to the first 1,000 fans. Kershaw will be featured wearing a white Loons home uniform. For more info go here.
• Eric Stephen at True Blue LA has some great photos from Spring Training- Day 3.
• I'm looking for some help here. Does anyone remember these female usher uniforms from the 80's? Did women wear these skimpy things at Dodger Stadium back then? I don't really remember. See it here.
• The 2011 Topps Allen & Ginter Code has finally been solved, via twitter @Toppscards. UPDATE: To find out how they did it, go here for their explanation.
• NewJersey.com has a nice story on the newest Yankee, Hiroki Kuroda.
  

  To the first question, Kuroda insisted that, appearances aside, he never was afraid of pitching for the Yankees or Red Sox. Instead, he said, “I’d made a commitment to the Dodgers last year and wanted to live up to it. I wanted to win a championship and didn’t want to leave before the season was over.”

  Given that loyalty, Kuroda admitted he was surprised the Dodgers didn’t aggressively pursue him. His options were the Yankees or a return to Japan – and, as he noted, “The Yankees made the best offer.”

• Why am I pointing this link out, and why did I find it interesting? I don't know. All I know is that I felt a certain amount of fear knowing that Justin Beiber had worn a Dodger cap a couple of times in his videos. Flip Flop Flyball has more.
  
• Watch this great time-lapse video of the Staples Center floor changeover from Clippers to Kings to Lakers, via LA Times.
  
• Dodgers trainer Stan Conte calls player injury risk assessment the final frontier, via an article by Molly Knight at ESPN.
• Dodger Stadium organist Nancy Bea Hefley is a Los Angeles institution. She's been playing since 1988 and now gets mic'd up for Wired.

Video Link:

A Call to Arms? The Great 2012 Bidder Boycott?

Steve Dilbeck at the LA Times voices the frustration felt by all in an article today titled, "Every Bidder for the Dodgers Needs to Withdraw Right Now."

What a mess. What a complete mess. It’s orchestrated by Frank McCourt, so the shock factor is nil, but still.

You wonder how any human being can be so completely clueless, but then we’ve been watching this sorry excuse for an owner for way too long now.

His latest fantasy has him selling the team but keeping the parking lots completely surrounding Dodger Stadium. Hey, now there’s a sweet deal. Thursday marked the first day the siege of the Alamo began in 1836. Getting surrounded by the enemy is never a very good idea.

So every single one of the nine remaining bidders on the team need to get out of the Dodgers pool right now. (emphasis mine)

As a fanatic True Blue Dodger fan I second this motion.

I worry, though, that the ego's that comes with billionaire status might negate any chance that they could collude. Nevertheless, I think every true Dodger fan would applause the gesture and I am certain the loyalty of the fanbase to whoever becomes the owner would become tenfold. Again, emphasis below is mine.

So listen up, you nine remaining bidders. I don’t care if you’re Magic Johnson or Stan Kroneke or gazillionaire Steve Cohen. You buy the team and are willing to let McCourt keep the parking lots, you are not wanted. You don’t deserve the Dodgers.