Day 42 Spring Training Report

Here is todays Dodger lineup against the Mariners:

1) Rafael Furcal (S) SS

2) Jamey Carroll (R) 2B

3) Andre Ethier (L) RF

4) Matt Kemp (R) CF

5) Juan Uribe (R) 3B

6) James Loney (L) 1B

7) Marcus Thames (R) LF

8) Hector Gimenez (S) C

9) Rubby De La Rosa (R) P

Below are some Spring Training notes from the Dodgers:

• LAST NIGHT’S ACTION: Rod Barajas powered his third Spring Training home run last night, but the Dodgers managed just five hits and lost 5-1 to the Angels in Anaheim. Hiroki Kuroda tossed 4.0 innings in his final tuneup before his 2011 debut on Sunday against the Giants and Lance Cormier fired a scoreless inning of relief to lower his spring ERA to 2.00 (2 ER/9.0 IP) in nine appearances. Minor leaguer Michael Antonini, who was acquired in the Chin-lung Hu trade with the Mets, closed out the game with 2.0 scoreless frames for the Dodgers.

• LEADERS OF THE PACK: As the spring season winds down, Dodger outfielder Matt Kemp still leads the club with 19 hits, five homers, 15 RBI and 41 total bases. Infielder Juan Uribe’s seven doubles edge out fellow newcomer Marcus Thames’ six for the team lead in two-base hits, while non-roster invitee Aaron Miles has crossed the plate a team-best 10 times. On the mound, Mike MacDougal has not allowed an earned run (one unearned) in 10.0 innings over 11 appearances this spring. Clayton Kershaw has fanned a team-best 20 batters and is tied with John Ely for the club lead with two wins apiece. Hiroki Kuroda’s 4.0 innings last night gave him a team-high 26.0 over his six Cactus League starts.

(Pic Link: Plixi Dodgers)

• RUBBY SLIPPERS: Dodger right-hander Rubby De La Rosa will make his third start and sixth appearance of the spring tonight after allowing three runs over 4.0 innings of relief on Friday against the Diamondbacks in Tucson. The 22-year-old was the Dodgers’ 2010 Minor League Pitcher of the Year and has limited opposing hitters to a .182 batting average with 10 strikeouts in 14.0 innings this spring.

(Pic Link: Plixi Debra Levi)

• YOUNG GUNS: Congratulations to Rubby De La Rosa and Jerry Sands for winning the 2011 Jim and Dearie Mulvey Award, given to the top rookie in Dodger camp as voted on by the Dodger coaches. The Mulvey family was part owners of the Dodgers from 1938-1975. This season marks the first tie in the history of the award as the coaching staff opted for a split decision on the power hitting infielder/outfielder Sands, who batted .300 with one home run and two RBI in 21 games, and the hard-throwing De La Rosa. Right-handed pitcher Josh Lindblom won the award last year and Dodger outfielder Xavier Paul took home the honor in 2009. Other winners on the current roster are Hong-Chih Kuo and James Loney.

(Pic Link: Plixi Young & Reckless)

• ROLL OUT THE BUNTING: The Dodgers will celebrate the 30^th anniversary of 1981 Opening Day during tomorrow’s festivities to kick off the 2011 season. Grammy Award-winning singer Plácido Domingo will perform the National Anthem and Broadway actor and singer Davis Gaines will perform God Bless America. Fans are encouraged to arrive early and can meet 1981 World Series champion Bill Russell in Autograph Alley from 2:30-4:00 p.m.

• SOMETHING IN THE AIR TONIGHT: MLB Network will also be joining the Dodgers in celebrating the 30^th anniversary of 1981 Opening Day with a special feature on Fernando Valenzuela, which will debut tomorrow at 4:30 p.m. PT on the network. The show will feature interviews with Valenzuela, Steve Garvey and Tommy Lasorda on the impact Fernandomania and his remarkable 1981 season.
  

Kershaw's Challenge

Are you up for Kershaw's Challenge?

Clayton Kershaw and his wife have teamed up with Arise Africa to raise funds to build an orphanage in Zambia, but they need your help. They plan on donating $100.00 per strike out Kershaw throws this season in the hopes of raising $70,000.00. Based on last years stats that would be only be a bit over $20,000.00. Certainly, they might need assistance from someone with a social work degree to raise funds and help make a difference for the kids. On the other hand, the Dodger Dream Foundation also plans on helping out in the cause. Unfortunately, they will still be a little short. So, this is where you can help.

Check out their website (www.kershawschallenge.com) to make a donation. There are all kinds of gifts available based on how large a donation you make. Check it out here.

“It’s one thing traveling around the United States playing in different cities, even going to different parts of the world,” Kershaw told Dodgers Magazine in an April cover story. “But when you go to a third-world country and see how other cultures live, it’s very different. You think it’s something that happened way back in the day, but plenty of people are living in houses that would be considered shacks here without running water or electricity. It makes you thankful for what you have.”

Ellen Kershaw has been to Zambia 5 times.

“I always say the first time you’ve hugged a Zam­bian orphan it’ll change your life,” she told Dodgers Magazine. “It’s because that whole blanket of poverty becomes very personal, and you see the one life that you can impact and what a difference you can make… Going to Zambia really broadened both of our perspectives. I think we’re just trying to leave a legacy, leave a mark.”

Auto Collection: Duke Snider Sweet Spot

In honor of todays announcement regarding a memorial patch to be worn by the Dodgers here is my 2003 Upper Deck Sweet Spot of Duke Snider.

Dodgers to Honor Duke Snider

Sometimes simple is best. The Dodgers will be honoring and celebrating the life and career of Duke Snider with a patch to be worn at every game this season. See it above. It features Duke's retired uniform number within a black circle. If I'm not mistaken, this has been the traditional way the Dodgers have honored a fellow player. From the press release:

The last time the Dodgers wore a memorial patch on the team’s uniforms was in 2000 in memory of Snider’s teammate and fellow Hall of Famer Pee Wee Reese. Other memorial patches worn by the Dodgers were done so in tribute to Jim Gilliam (1978), coach Don McMahon (1987), Tim Crews (1993) and a combination patch for Hall of Famers Don Drysdale and Roy Campanella, who passed away within a week of one another in 1993.

The Dodgers will begin wearing it on Opening Night.

Also, fans will receive a special treat in the August 9th game against the Phillies. The first 50,000 fans will receive a Duke Snider bobblehead. Snider's family will be in attendance and will participate in a special pregame ceremony honoring him. This will be the 6th bobblehead give-away of the season.