Dodgers Notes from Spring Training: Spring Game 2/Away Game 1

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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 LOS ANGELES DODGERS (1-0) at Texas Rangers (2-0)
Friday, March 4, 2016 – 12:05 p.m. PST | Surprise Recreation Campus
LHP Scott Kazmir (0-0) vs. RHP Chi Chi Gonzalez (0-0)

TV: None Radio: AM 570 (Eng.)

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(Roberts and Ventura, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2016)

Blog Kiosk: 3/4/2016 - Dodgers Links - Wood, Roberts and Brett Anderson

Yesterday was the start of something new for the Dodgers.  They've got a new skipper at the helm and a renewed optimism that will hopefully push them over the hump that has gotten in the way the past few years.  Whatever issues and problems that ailed them has surely been washed away.

As you know, it was the first official spring game of the new season, and the good guys walked away with win.  Not that it's all that important.  After all, spring is for working out the kinks, not for checking the standings.  Via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider:

“There were a lot of good things (today),” Dave Roberts said. “We talk a lot about winning baseball games, but it’s about winning the right way. Today, we look at the pitching, the defense, the at-bats we put out there, the baserunning, that’s how we (want to) play.”

Featured in the photo above is new Dodger skipper Dave Roberts with former Dodger and current White Sox manager Robin Ventura, via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2016.  Go here to check out more pics from Jon from yesterday.  Below are more links to check out:

2016 Topps Heritage - All the Dodgers Base Cards

Take a look at all the Dodgers base cards found in Topps 2016 Heritage set.  Go here for a complete checklist.  I shared pics of all the variations available here.

#12 Andre Ethier                            #38 Adrian Gonzalez

Blog Kiosk: 3/3/2016 - Dodgers Links - Puig, Ryu and Brett Anderson

Ahhh!... There's nothing like the look and smell of fresh leather.  Take a look at AJ Ellis' brand new mitt -- a custom model job from Wilson.  Pic via AJ Ellis on twitter.

Below are more links to check out:

• The injury bug just doesn't want to stop.  Brett Anderson is headed for back surgery due to an bulging disk, via a tweet by Ken Gurnick.  His surgery will be today.

Anderson has bulging disk. Out 3-5 months.

— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) March 3, 2016

Via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider:

“I was surprised — I was shocked,” (Dave) Roberts said. “Talking to him two days ago and again yesterday morning, he just thought it’s a couple-day thing that would subside.”

“I haven’t talked to him since yesterday, but I’m certain he’s disappointed. He felt coming into Spring Training he was in fantastic shape and had a great winter, and so for this to happen, I’m sure he’s very disappointed.”

• Eric Stephen at True Blue LA has the Spanish radio broadcast schedule for Spring Training.
• Video:  The Dodgers newest pitcher offers his first reactions after joining the team for training for the first time. (Link Here)
• Video: Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner talks to Alanna Rizzo about his expected absence during the first week of the Cactus League. Turner is recovering from knee surgery.  (Link Here)
• Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Roberts praises Puig for energy, outlook."

"He's been fantastic," Roberts said. "He's been healthy, he feels good, his energy, his outlook on things related to teammates has been great. We are friends, I'm friends with all of my players. You've got to have that trust with a manager, a coach, a player. Absolutely, I consider him a friend."

• This isn't the best of news.  Hopefully it's just a minor setback.  Via Gurnick at MLB.com, "Ryu to rest after feeling shoulder discomfort."

"We're just backing off because he felt something, but this is all part of our cautious plan to bring him back slowly," said Roberts. "It's not a setback."

• I love hearing about vintage Baseball card discoveries.  Via Mark Townsend at Big League Stew, "Family discovers seven rare Ty Cobb cards possibly worth $1M."  I should add that these cards are truly rare, and their actual originals are still a mystery.  They are believed to be a part of the vaunted T206 set (since it's the exact same design and front), but that is far from confirmed.  After all, no other cards from that set feature that unique "ad back."  Nevertheless, even with the immediate increase in supply, I suspect they will still command a huge premium.

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2016 Topps Heritage - The Dodgers Variation Cards

Topps Heritage brand is now in stores, and as you can see it borrows the design of the 1967 Topps Baseball card set.  I will have pics of all the base cards tomorrow, so I figured I'd take a look at the currently known Dodgers variations that can be found today.  This is not likely to be complete listing at this juncture, and I will update this post as needed.  Go here for a complete checklist.

I've paired each sport-printed variation with its normal base card for comparison.  On the left is the normal card and on its right is the variation.

Corey Seager has to share his Heritage card with former Dodger Jose Peraza.  Thankfully, a full-size Seager is available as a short print.  (Look Night Owl... Palm Trees!)

SP Rookie Variations

#168 Corey Seager 
Normal Base Cards                                   SP Rookie Variation

Dodgers Notes from Spring Training: Full-Squad Workout #7

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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(Tommy Lasorda, pic via Camelback Ranch on twitter)

ONE DAY AWAY: The Dodgers held their seventh and final full-squad workout of Spring Training today with some team defense work, bunt plays and live batting practice. Los Angeles, in its eighth season training in Arizona, kicks off Cactus League play tomorrow against the Chicago White Sox.

WE GOT A SITUATION HERE: This morning, the Dodgers split into two teams and played a situational game, highlighting defensive strategy and baserunning. The teams weren’t exactly evenly divided as the starting lineup for the first team was Chase Utley, Howie Kendrick, Andre Ethier, Adrian Gonzalez, Yasiel Puig, Corey Seager, Carl Crawford, A.J. Ellis and Joc Pederson. The other starting squad consisted of Micah Johnson, Elian Herrera, Cody Bellinger, Trayce Thompson, Brandon Hicks, Alex Hassan, Corey Brown, Austin Barnes and Rico Noel. Field Coordinator Clayton McCullough actually did the pitching with a screen in front of him while Dodger hurlers simulated the start of the pitch.

• Alex Wood, Brandon Beachy and Jamey Wright threw live batting practice to a group of hitters including Kiké Hernandez and Justin Turner.
• Beachy was signed by the Dodgers on Feb. 21, 2015 and worked his way back to the Major Leagues after undergoing a second Tommy John surgery on March 21, 2014. The right-hander made two starts for Los Angeles last year, was designated for assignment on July 30 and then signed to a minor league deal on Jan. 6, 2016.  

(Puig, pic via @MLB on twitter)

MANNY HAPPY RETURNS: Dodger Spanish Language broadcaster Manny Mota arrived at Camelback Ranch this morning and will help out as an instructor for a few weeks. Mota, who turned 78 on Feb. 18, enters his 48th season as a player, coach or broadcaster with the Dodgers. His Dodger playing career spanned parts of 13 seasons from 1969-1980 and 1982 and during his 20-year-career, Mota hit .304 with San Francisco (1962), Pittsburgh (1963-68), Montreal (1969) and the Dodgers. The native of the Dominican Republic became baseball’s all-time pinch-hit leader with 150, a mark since broken by former Dodgers Lenny Harris and Mark Sweeney.

• Dodger Special Assistant, Player Personnel Aaron Sele also arrived in camp today. Sele is entering his eighth season in the Dodger front office following 15 seasons as a pitcher in the Major Leagues with the Red Sox (1993-97), Rangers (1998-99), Mariners (2000-01, ‘05), Angels (2002-04), Dodgers (2006) and Mets (2007). 

GET WELL SOON: Right-handed reliever Josh Ravin underwent surgery on his left arm yesterday and is expected to be out of action between eight and 12 weeks. Ravin broke his left radius after being involved in a car accident on Monday afternoon. 

WHAT AN HONOR: On this date in 2005, Dodger Hall of Famer Jackie Robinson was honored posthumously by receiving the Congressional Gold Medal during ceremonies in the rotunda of the United States Capitol building in Washington, DC.

(Seager's photoshoot with Majestic, pic via Majestic on twitter)

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Unlike the television channel AM570 will broadcast every Dodgers spring training Baseball game.  Below is the schedule:

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