Category Archives: Spring Training

Feb 22

Puig! Puig! Puig!

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The young man says he’s going to get back to his 2013 form this season.

“I want to improve on last year, which was my worst season in all aspects,” Puig said. “I’ve never hit so poorly, not even when I was a little kid. Coming off such a bad season, I have to work on my body, my hitting, on hitting the cutoff man, all that’s required to do well in American baseball.”

[snip]

“I want us all to be together, and for me to join in, so we don’t lose in the playoffs again,” Puig said. “I’m tired of making the playoffs and not going further and reaching the World Series.”

I hope he succeeds in doing that. If he can stay healthy and be a team player he’s a tremendous athlete.

Feb 13

A 1500-lb. Lasorda bobblehead!

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That’s just part of the 40 tons of stuff the Dodgers sent off to Camelback Ranch this week in two trucks.

The trucks will arrive at Camelback Ranch-Glendale on Saturday, to be unloaded in plenty of time for next Saturday’s first workout for pitchers and catchers and the start of another Spring Training.

Bats and balls are shipped directly by their various manufacturers, in case you wondered. Uniforms and even bottled water as well as office supplies are in these trucks.

The first spring training game is scheduled for March 3 at home against the White Sox. The visitors have a long walk around a five-acre lake within the Camelback complex which separates them from the Dodgers. Or maybe they pedal-boat or kayak it.

Apr 05

Pre-season predictions

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Anybody who wants to make a prediction about the Dodgers finish this year, here’s the place for it.

In the previous post Howard Fox said “2015 prediction: final record 85-77 due to lack of pitching consistency, miss playoffs by 1 or 2 games, Donnie fired the day after the season ends, Padres win the World Series.”

Who’s next?

Mar 27

Friday Night Giants

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Vinnie does his one-and-only game from Camelback Ranch tonight on SPNLA.

Lineup:

Mar 18

Yet another cutdown day

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The Dodgers sent six players to minor league camp after today’s game, including top prospect Corey Seager:

In addition to Seager, outfielder Scott Schebler was optioned, while infielder Buck Britton, utilityman Darnell Sweeney and catchers Shawn Zarraga and Chris O’Brien were assigned to Minor League camp.

The Dodgers have 42 active players in camp, plus injured pitchers Chris Withrow and Brandon Beachy.

Click the link if only to see what Seager looks like with his hat off. My lord, I think he’s 15 years old.

Mar 09

Kershaw Day

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Not only does he get the start today against the Rockies, but Baseball Prospectus published several stories about the new daddy in their March 9 blog post. Look in the “Today at Baseball Prospectus” section on the front page.

Update: Headline: Time Warner Cable ‘Actively Pursuing’ Talks to Finally Lift Dodger Blackout

Nonsense. The article says TWC is trying to sign the other distributors up without lowering its $4.90 per subscriber fee. So what concession has TWC made to them? Looks like none to me.

Mar 29

2014 Freeway Series, Game Three

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Haren faces Tyler Skaggs, a 23-year-old lefty.

Update: Much more important than this game, news came this afternoon that Kershaw has been placed on the 15-day Disabled List effective March 23.

the Dodgers are making no promises about when he will pitch again. Mainly, because there is little urgency in the season’s first few weeks given the spate of off-days, and because they want to remain ultra-conservative and make sure Kershaw is right when he returns.

Tests earlier this week showed the strained upper back muscle, behind his left shoulder. Mattingly said he does not know of any more tests scheduled as of now.

“We know what it is,” he said. “We’re not concerned that he’s going to do any damage to it.”

Mar 27

2014 Freeway Series, Game One

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Angels at Dodgers, Santiago v. Greinke, 7:00PM PST. It’s the MLB.TV Free Game of the Day, also on FSW and SPNLA.

Lineup:

Update: Greinke and Hanley Ramirez looked ready for the season in a 7 – 5 loss. Unfortunately, Jose Dominguez came in for the seventh inning and didn’t have anything, giving up four runs while retiring only one hitter.

Game Two of the Freeway Series is tomorrow.