Day 17 Spring Training Report

This afternoons Dodger lineup: Furcal-SS, Blake -3rd, Ethier-RF, Kemp-CF, Gibbons-DH, Uribe-2nd, Barajas-C, Mitchell-1st, Kapler-LF

Here is the Day 17 Spring Training Report from the Dodgers.

• SEEING RED: The Dodgers and Reds will meet for the second and final time of the spring this afternoon at Camelback Ranch. Los Angeles lost 3-1 to Cincinnati in Goodyear two nights ago. Last season, the Reds went 5-4 against the Dodgers and the two squads will meet for the first time in the 2011 regular season on June 3 at Cincinnati’s Great American Ball Park. The Reds will invade Dodger Stadium a week later from June 13-15.
  

• TAKING THE MOUND: Dodger left-hander Clayton Kershaw will make his second start of the spring this afternoon after tossing 3.0 innings against the White Sox on Feb. 28. In that outing, the 22-year old gave up just one unearned run and two hits while striking out three. Kershaw is set to turn 23 in less than two weeks and entering his first career Opening Day start, he will have more strikeouts (497) and more wins (26) than any other player in baseball aged 23 and younger in the National League. The only player aged 23 or younger with more wins than Kershaw is Oakland’s 23-year-old Trevor Cahill, who has won 28 games over the last two seasons. Cahill is 18 days older than Kershaw. After Kershaw exits, RHP Lance Cormier, RHP Jon Huber, RHP Roman Colon, RHP Oscar Villarreal and LHP Wilkin De La Rosa will take the mound for Los Angeles. The Reds will counter with RHP Bronson Arroyo.

(Pic Link: TwitPic Dodgers)

(Practice Rundown Drills)

• SNAP THE STREAK: The Dodgers lost their fourth consecutive spring contest last night, falling to the Giants, 5-3, in front of a crowd of 11,261 on Fireworks Night. RHP Jon Garland made his 2011 debut and looked sharp, allowing just one unearned run and one hit over 3.0 innings. At the plate, Trayvon Robinson and Juan Castro each collected an RBI, but the Dodgers managed just seven singles in the contest. Through eight games, Dodger starters have posted a 0.93 ERA (2 ER/19.1 IP).

• GET ON THE BUS GUS: The Dodgers announced yesterday that the Metro will again offer the Dodger Stadium Express bus service from Union Station in downtown Los Angeles to Dodger Stadium beginning on March 28 with the Dodgers’ exhibition game against the Angels. The service will then run throughout the 2011 regular season under a grant approved by the Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Review Committee (MSRC).

• A BIG THANK YOU: The Dodgers would like to acknowledge the fans and clients taking part in this year’s Spring Training trip. The group of nearly 70 people had a welcome dinner Thursday night where they met Andre Ethier, Chad Billingsley, Clayton Kershaw and Hall of Famer Tommy Lasorda. Prior to taking in the game vs. the Giants last night, the group received bunting instruction from Dodger legend Maury Wills and today will meet with Dodger Manager Don Mattingly and Dodger GM Ned Colletti before flying back to Los Angeles. In addition to several season ticket holders, the clients represented include KCAL, FSN PRIME TICKET, Hyundai, Kaiser Permanente, Farmer John, Time Warner and John Hancock.
  

• BIG MAC: The Dodgers would like to wish a very happy birthday to right-handed pitcher Mike MacDougal, who turns 34 today. MacDougal shares his big day with former Dodgers Kevin Brown, Paul Konerko and Chad Fonville. A little known fact is that MacDougal’s given name is actually Robert Meiklejohn. Meiklejohn is his mother’s maiden name. Now you know.

• ON THE INJURY FRONT: Dodger first baseman James Loney will miss today’s game with some stiffness in his left knee. Loney took an MRI this morning in Phoenix and the results are pending. The Houston, TX native is set to begin his sixth Major League campaign and over the last three seasons, his 480 games played are tied with Robinson Cano for third in the Major Leagues. Loney trails only Prince Fielder (482) and Adrian Gonzalez (482) over that time.

• TOGETHER IN TUCSON: It was announced yesterday that the Dodgers and Diamondbacks will play a Spring Training game on Friday, March 25 at 1:05 p.m. in Tucson with proceeds benefitting the Tucson Together Fund. The fund provides financial assistance to the victims, witnesses and their families for expenses associated with the January 8^th tragedy. The contest will be played at Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium (formerly known as TEP) with tickets available at Dodgers.com/Spring.

• BIENVENIDOS: The Dodgers welcomed a contingent of Mexican media members to Camelback Ranch yesterday, including representatives from Sintesis TV, Azteca America, Puro Beisbol, ZETA, El Vigia de Ensenada and Notimex. The group will stay until tomorrow and this is the third year that the club has hosted members of the Mexican media in Glendale.

• A LITTLE SHIFTY: Today, former Dodger second baseman Steve Sax will be signing copies of his book, SHIFT: Change Your Mindset And You Change Your World outside the Team Store in the Center Field Courtyard from 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

• PAYING RESPECTS: A private memorial service for Hall of Famer Edwin “Duke” Snider will be held on March 12. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to the Fallbrook Union High School Baseball Program c/o Fallbrook Baseball ASB, 2234 S. Stage Coach Lane, Fallbrook, CA 92028.

Day 16 Spring Training Report

Per @DodgersUSA, we find out that today, on March 4, 1912, Dodgers owner Charles Ebbets broke ground in Brooklyn to build his Ebbets Field.

Tonights lineup against the Giants:1) Jamey Carroll SS; 2) Dioner Navarro C; 3) Andre Ethier RF; 4) Matt Kemp CF; 5) Marcus Thames DH; 6) James Loney 1B; 7) Jamie Hoffmann LF; 8) Ivan de Jesus 2B; 9) Justin Sellers 3B; Jon Garland SP.

Ely, Broxton, Guerrier, Mahay and Schlichting are expected to pitch in relief.

Below is a rundown of todays Spring Training Notes brought to you by the Dodgers.

• THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS: The Dodgers and Giants meet for the second time this spring after San Francisco defeated Los Angeles 8-3 on Saturday in Scottsdale. The two clubs will face off two more times this spring, both at Scottsdale Stadium, before their Opening Night showdown on March 31 at Dodger Stadium.

(Pic Link:twitpic: SF_Giants)

(This has been floating around twitter all day)

• ON THE HILL: Dodger right-hander Jon Garland will make his first start of the spring tonight against the Giants after signing with the Dodgers this winter as a free agent. Last year, the Granada Hills native set career-bests with a 3.47 ERA and 136 strikeouts in 33 starts with the Padres, tying for the team lead with 14 wins while tossing 200.0 or more innings for the sixth time in his career. Garland will be followed by Jonathan Broxton, Matt Guerrier, Ron Mahay, Travis Schlichting, Javy Guerra and John Ely. Left-hander Barry Zito will get the start for the Giants.
• LET’S TURN IT AROUND: The Dodgers fell 3-1 at the hands of the Reds last night in Goodyear. Jerry Sands went 2-for-2 and drove in Los Angeles’ only run with an RBI single in the fifth inning to plate Xavier Paul, who doubled to lead off the frame. Hiroki Kuroda allowed two runs on six hits over 2.1 innings in his second Spring Training start, and through seven games, Dodger starters have posted a 1.10 ERA (2 ER/16.1 IP).

(Pic Link: TwitPic: Big_Teets)

• SOMETHING IN THE AIR TONIGHT: The Dodgers would like to welcome Spanish-language broadcaster and Dodger legend Fernando Valenzuela to Camelback Ranch. Valenzuela will kick off his ninth season in the broadcast booth along with Hall of Famer Jaime Jarrín and Pepe Yňiguez tomorrow as the trio will call the Dodgers-Reds game from Camelback Ranch. The broadcast can be heard on the Dodgers’ new Spanish-language broadcast partner, KTNQ 1020, which is part of the Univision Radio Group.

• BIENVENIDOS: For the next few days, the Dodgers will welcome a contingent of Mexican media members to Camelback Ranch, including representatives from Sintesis TV, Azteca America, Puro Beisbol, ZETA, El Vigia de Ensenada and Notimex. This will be the third year that the club has hosted members of the Mexican media in Glendale with the group meeting the Dodgers’ Spanish-language broadcast team and players during their visit.

• HAPPY HAPPY: The Dodgers would like to wish a happy 22^nd birthday to right-hander Rubby De La Rosa. Last night, the Dodgers’ 2010 Minor League Pitcher of the Year allowed just one hit (and then promptly picked the runner off second base) and struck out three in 2.0 scoreless innings against the Reds.

• 30 CLUBS IN 30 DAYS: MLB Network and host Matt Vasgersian will be at Camelback Ranch today and tomorrow gathering material for the network’s 30 Clubs in 30 Days tour. Don Mattingly will be interviewed live on the network tomorrow with the entire Dodgers episode debuting on Sunday at 6:00 p.m. ET.

• TOGETHER IN TUCSON: It was announced today that the Dodgers and Diamondbacks will play a Spring Training game on Friday, March 25 at 1:05 p.m. in Tucson with proceeds benefitting the Tucson Together Fund. The fund provides financial assistance to the victims, witnesses and their families for expenses associated with the January 8^th tragedy. The contest will be played at Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium (formerly known as TEP) with tickets available at Dodgers.com/Spring.

(Pic Link: TwitPic TommyLasorda)

(Pee Wee received the call today in 1984 about his election into the Baseball Hall of Fame)

• A LOOK BACK: On March 4, 1984, Pee Wee Reese was elected into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. The 10-time National League All-Star appeared in more games at shortstop (2,014) than any player in franchise history and is the club’s all-time leader in runs scored (1,338) and walks (1,210). Also on this day in 1912, groundbreaking ceremonies were held for the construction of Ebbets Field in Brooklyn.

• THE LEFTY’S STILL GOT IT: Tomorrow morning, Dodger Hall of Fame Manager Tommy Lasorda will throw out the first pitch at the Ahwatukee Little League’s Opening Day ceremonies in Phoenix.

• A LITTLE SHIFTY: Tonight, former Dodger second baseman Steve Sax will throw out the ceremonial first pitch on “Fireworks Night” at Camelback Ranch and will be at the facility this weekend to promote his new book, SHIFT: Change Your Mindset And You Change Your World. Tomorrow, Sax will be signing copies of SHIFT outside the Team Store in the Center Field Courtyard from 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Sax won the NL Rookie of the Year in 1982, the Silver Slugger in 1986 and was a five-time All Star for the Dodgers (1982-83, ’86) and Yankees (1989-90).

• PAYING RESPECTS: A private memorial service for Hall of Famer Edwin “Duke” Snider will be held on March 12. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to the Fallbrook Union High School Baseball Program c/o Fallbrook Baseball ASB, 2234 S. Stage Coach Lane, Fallbrook, CA 92028.
  

Additional Spring Training Game to Benefit Victims of Tucson Shooting

This is for a good cause and certainly worth your attention if you are in Tucson on Friday, March 25th. From a Dodgers press release:

The Pima County Sports and Tourism Authority announced a second Spring Training game will be played in Tucson this month through a cooperative effort between the Los Angeles Dodgers, Arizona Diamondbacks and Major League Baseball. The Dodgers and D-backs will play at Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium (formerly known as TEP) on Friday, March 25, at 1:05 p.m. Proceeds from the game will benefit the Tucson Together Fund.

...

"The entire Dodger organization has been deeply touched by this terrible tragedy that hit so close to home with the loss of Christina-Taylor Green,” said Dodger Owner and Chairman Frank McCourt. “We are honored to take part in this game to support not only John and Roxana Green and their family, but the families of all of the victims."

“Words cannot describe how saddened our organization has been over this horrific tragedy that took place in our own backyard,” said D-backs President & CEO Derrick Hall. “We lost a member of our baseball family that terrible morning, and completely embrace an opportunity to help the Greens and the countless others who were victimized. We are deeply appreciative of the invitation to play and to bring a special community together in honor of some true heroes.” The Tucson Together Fund provides financial assistance to victims, witnesses and their families for expenses associated with the tragedy. The Tucson Together Fund also assists with expenses related to the shooting incident that are not eligible for financial assistance through the Crime Victim Compensation Program. The Tucson Together Fund will cover a variety of short-term and long-term expenses related to the tragedy, such as travel expenses, food and lodging. Additionally, it may pay for some expenses that are ineligible under the Crime Victim Compensation Program such as loss of wages, funeral and counseling. Any expense related to the victim, witness and families that are not covered fully by another source may be considered.

Home Plate Reserved: $20 per seat Bleacher: $10 per seat

Dugout Reserved: $17 per seat Lawn: $6 per seat

Outfield Lower Level: $14 per seat Upper Mezzanine: $15 per seat

Monday’s game between the D-backs and White Sox at Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium will provide proceeds to the Christina-Taylor Green Memorial Fund. The game between the Dodgers and D-backs will expand those charitable proceeds to all of the victims involved.

Provenance Questions Surround Sheen's 1927 World Series Ring

A few days ago I posted a pic provided by Charlie Sheen's twitter account showing him wearing a 1927 World Series ring he owns that once belonged to Babe Ruth. Check it out below.
Well, an article in Deadspin written by memorabilia sleuth Peter Nash, of "Hauls of Shame" fame informs us of the dubious nature of the item. I have a great amount of respect for Mr. Nash's work as he hunts down and exposes some of the more underhanded aspects of the Baseball memorabilia market. It's a interesting read and provides a cautionary tale- be weary when buying vintage memorabilia. Is the ring real? Was it stolen from the Ruth family? Was a Ruth heir hoodwinked into selling or trading it? None of these conclusions would surprise me if true.

Here is an excerpt:

Halper (the famed collector who sold it to Sheen) was known to have visited and made purchases from Claire Ruth while she was still living in an apartment on Riverside Drive in Manhattan. Ruth's granddaughter has heard stories about Halper visiting Claire with bottles of liquor. Says Linda Ruth Tosetti: "I was told he'd get her liquored up and then walk out with some of Babe's stuff." It's not an unreasonable suggestion. In 1999, Halper told The New York Times that he swapped six bottles of J&B Scotch with Lou Gehrig's widow in exchange Lou's "Luckiest Man on Earth" uniform from 1939. Halper said Mrs. Gehrig was happy to get some "hooch."

Blog Kiosk: 3/4/2011

• The Memorial Day game, May 30th, against Colorado will be $1.00 Dodger Dog Day. WooHoo!
  
• City of Santa Clarita: Dodger Day! For Saturday, May 14th. Money generated from this event will help support their schools and non-profit groups! Not only that you can place nominations for who would be the most deserving person to throw out the first pitch. I assume residents of Santa Clarita would be favored.
  
• Sometimes I wish I lived near Cooperstown.

  The national game of England meets America's National Pastime in an historic exploration of the relationship between two of the world's most popular sports, cricket and baseball, in an exclusive American exhibition, opening April 16

• Here is a fun flowchart detailing what team you should be a fan of, via Beyond the Boxscore.
• Let's Go Dodger's has a pic of a very young Charlie Sheen in a Dodgers celebrity "Hollywood Stars" uniform.
  
• Tony Gwynn, Jr. talks a bit about his fathers battle with cancer, at FoxSports.
  
• Agate Type introduces us to a little known murder of Negro Leaguer Walter Claude "Steel Arm" Dickey in 1923.
  
• Via a RT from Eric Stephen's of TrueBlueLA, we see a toothpick holding bobblehead the Reds will be giving out this year of Dusty Baker. That's pretty awesome. (Pic Link: TwitPic Cincinnati Reds)
• This has been making the rounds. It's from the 2010 Valparaiso Cerro Abajo race in Valparaiso, Chile. "Watch out for that dog!"

VCA 2010 RACE RUN from changoman on Vimeo.

Day 15 Spring Training Report

Tonights Lineup against the Reds: Furcal SS, Blake 3rd, Uribe 2nd, Gibbons DH, Barajas C, Mitchell 1st, Paul LF, Sands RF, Gwynn CF, Kuroda RHP.

Below are the Day 15 Spring Training Notes provided by the Dodgers.

• GOODYEAR REDUX: After dropping a game to the Cleveland Indians at Goodyear Ballpark on Tuesday, the Dodgers will get after it again tonight in Goodyear, but this time facing the Cincinnati Reds. Tonight’s contest is the club’s first night game of the 2011 spring schedule and the first of two against the Reds, who will come to Camelback Ranch on Saturday afternoon. Last season, the Reds went 5-4 against the Dodgers and the two squads will meet for the first time in the 2011 regular season on June 3 at Cincinnati’s Great American Ball Park.
• OUR HIRO: Dodger right-hander Hiroki Kuroda will make his second Spring Training start after tossing 2.0 scoreless innings on Feb. 26 in Tempe. Kuroda will be followed to the mound by RHP Rubby De La Rosa, RHP Javy Guerra, RHP Blake Hawksworth, RHP Mike MacDougal and RHP Kenley Jansen. The Reds will send left-hander Travis Wood to the hill.

(Pic Link: TwitPic TommyLasorda)

(Meet Dodger Eaton. He's a captain in the @USArmy & a @Dodgers fan. Thanks for your service Dodger )

• STARTERS STREAKING: The Dodgers lost to the Royals, 11-5, yesterday, despite a three-run homer from infielder Juan Castro and two hits from first baseman James Loney. On the mound, right-hander Tim Redding continued the Dodgers’ stretch of impressive starting pitching with 3.0 scoreless frames. In six games, Dodger starters Redding, Chad Billingsley, Clayton Kershaw, John Ely, and Hiroki Kuroda have yet to allow an earned run (one unearned) over 14.0 innings.

• “B” BALL: The Dodgers and White Sox played a “B” game this morning on Chicago’s side of the campus. Dodger left-hander Ted Lilly, who had been under the weather the last two days, threw 2.0 innings and fanned one over 27 pitches. Lilly is now back on schedule and will make his next start on March 7 at Talking Stick.

• HOLA SEŇORS: The Dodgers would like to welcome Spanish language broadcasters Jaime Jarrín and Pepe Yňiguez to Camelback Ranch. The duo will be joined by Dodger legend Fernando Valenzuela tomorrow night for their first broadcast of 2011. Jarrín, who was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1998, is set to begin his 53^rd season in the Dodger radio booth while Yňiguez begins his 13^th full season and 14^th overall. Valenzuela joined the team in 2003 and the trio has now been together for nine seasons.

(Pic Link: TwitPic JessicaDomzz)

• DR. SEUSS AND MR. ELLIS: This afternoon, Dodger catcher A.J. Ellis read two books to about 20 local kids at the Glendale Public Library as part of a celebration of Dr. Seuss’ birthday and to promote literacy. Ellis, who was joined by White Sox pitcher Chris Sale at the event, had the kids in stiches during his dramatic read of “Green Eggs and Ham.” After the reading, Ellis signed autographs for each youngster while handing out Dodger hats, pencils and notepads. Local Phoenix-area television covered the event along with Glendale-11 and the Glendale Star Newspaper.

• DODGER IDOL: This afternoon, the Dodgers held a “Dodger Idol” competition featuring the players that are participating in their first Major league camp. This year’s singers included Rubby De La Rosa, John Ely, Dee Gordon, Jerry Sands, Justin Sellers and Luis Vasquez. Jamey Carroll played the role of Ryan Seacrest, while the judges were comprised of Andre Ethier, Matt Kemp and team physical therapist Nancy Patterson. Vasquez and De la Rosa stole the show as a unique duet with Vasquez demonstrating a gift for magic tricks.

• YOU NEVER KNOW: Today the Dodgers held their annual open tryout in which any ballplayer can come to the fields and attempt to earn a minor league contract. Out of the 110 or so players that showed up, one walked away with a job as the Dodgers signed left-handed pitcher Randy Keisler, who has pitched in 55 big league games for the Yankees (2000-01), Padres (2003), Reds (2005), A’s (2006) and Cardinals (2007). The Dodgers signed two players out of the tryout in both 2009 and 2010, including right-handed pitcher Tim Corcoran, who is still in the organization.

(Pic Link: HitPix MLB)
(George Brett & Robin Yount at B.A.T. fundraiser)

• HALL OF FAME HAPPENING: On March 3, 1997, Special Advisor to the Chairman, Tommy Lasorda, received a call in Vero Beach, FL from Teddy Ballgame, Ted Williams, letting him know he was to be inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Lasorda is now enshrined in 17 Halls of Fame.

• PAYING RESPECTS: A private memorial service for Hall of Famer Edwin “Duke” Snider will be held on March 12. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to the Fallbrook Union High School Baseball Program c/o Fallbrook Baseball ASB, 2234 S. Stage Coach Lane, Fallbrook, CA 92028.

• A LITTLE SHIFTY: Former Dodger second baseman Steve Sax will be at Camelback Ranch-Glendale this weekend to promote his new book, SHIFT: Change Your Mindset And You Change Your World. Tomorrow night, the All-Star infielder will throw out the first pitch on “Fireworks Night,” prior to the Dodgers’ 7:05 p.m. home game against the Gi­ants. Saturday, Sax will be signing copies of SHIFT outside the Team Store in the Center Field Courtyard from 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Sax won the NL Rookie of the Year in 1982, the Silver Slugger in 1986 and was a five-time All Star for the Dodgers (1982-83, ’86) and Yankees (1989-90).