Thread: 2009 Spring Training Dodgers Thread

Originally Posted by DeaderFan

Anyone else been out to see any spring training games out at the new facility in AZ? Thoughts?

I was out there last weekend and saw some games at both the Dodgers and Angels stadiums. To tell you the truth I was a little disappointed in the new Dodger diggs. Although the Dodger's facility is state of the art, something's definitely missing... like any shades of Dodger blue, and more importantly Dodger dogs. The Angels on the otherhand have their logos everywhere and the big red helmet in front. The only Dodger logo at their place is on the video scoreboard, and that is against a brown background. The whole place is decorated in shades of brown. Go to the concession stands and they serve Chicago dogs! Ironically, the Angels serve Farmer John. Up in the booth Vinny leaned out and waved to the fans. Problem is no one could hear him. They don't broadcast the games, either in the park or on a local station. The Angels do.

That's the problem with sharing a place I guess. You can't personalize it. Maybe paying Manny necessitated economizing and taking a roommate like the White Sox. Too bad.

...no big deal.

Originally Posted by Obejuan

That was set up long before Manny was even traded here

Of course. I'm just saying economics played a roll in deciding to share a facility rather than have something uniquely Dodgers. If the decision were made today, they might also think twice about building it way out in Glendale since the expected expansion of Phoenix has come to a grinding halt.

And it's true that it's really no big deal considering the limited number of games played there. To me though, it was a little bit of a disappointment. Vero Beach was old and tired, but at least it was all Dodgers.

Originally Posted by Joe Hoya

Still better than most closers in MLB. We've been spoiled with Gagne and Saito.

Exactly, if people are expecting Broxton to be Saito, Gagne, you are going to be disappointed.

This article basically spells it out.

Fire Ned Colletti Now: Broxton Blew A Save...And The Sky Is Falling

i guess no other better time then now to bring back my Brox avy

Good Manny read.

Why is Manny so special? Just ask the people around him - ESPN

Kenny G Around the Horn : Dodgers Give Ohman a Try

Schmidt starts in place of Stults today, I don't see it scheduled on tv, bummer.

The club made no announcement why, but Jason Schmidt is listed as the starting pitcher on the lineup posted in the Dodgers clubhouse. As of yesterday afternoon, Schmidt was scheduled to pitch in a Minor League game and Eric Stults was starting the Major League game against the Padres.

Originally Posted by sarf

Schmidt starts in place of Stults today, I don't see it scheduled on tv, bummer.

I'm pretty sure ladodgers.com is having a free webcast.

Gammons blogged about the Dodgers in his notebook.

Russell Martin likes to talk about Clayton Kershaw 's changeup, which with his 95 mph fastball and sizzling curveball makes Kershaw "a future Cy Young Award winner."

Everyone likes to talk about Kershaw because he's one of those people that everyone wishes was a cousin or godson. Kershaw turned 21 a couple of weeks ago, and the clubhouse story goes that a veteran asked Kershaw if he'd been out drinking yet.

"I've had wine at communion," Kershaw replied.

With Chad Billingsley experiencing some physical problems last week, the Dodgers' rotation of Hiroki Kuroda, Kershaw, Billingsley, Randy Wolf and someone from the Eric Milton/James McDonald group may not only be extremely thin, but forced to put undo pressure on the 21-year-old Kershaw. The coaching staff feels the team is also short one or two set-up men.

So there is a lot of pressure to sign Pedro Martinez, who threw well in the WBC and would benefit from pitching in the NL West parks. Right now, the Dodgers are balking at Pedro's $5 million asking price, but understand this about Martinez: That stubbornness and hubris are what make him a Hall of Famer. Manny Ramirez has called Martinez, so there may be some way to work it out. Hey, the Dodgers still are a tick below $100M.

Speaking of Ramirez, Joe Torre said, "When I played, no one worked as hard as Manny does." And Torre played with one of the greatest players (and people), Henry Aaron.

Peter Gammons: Improved Kansas City Royals could surprise in 2009 - ESPN