Dodger fans peering through the fence, via Jon SooHoo/ Los Angeles Dodgers.Throughout Spring Training the Dodgers PR department sends out helpful daily notes from Camelback Ranch, and I am happy to pass them along.
ALMOST GAME TIME: The Dodgers completed their second day of full squad workouts this afternoon and all was business as usual. Only four more workouts remain before the first game of the Cactus League campaign on March 5 at 1:05 p.m. against the White Sox at Camelback Ranch - Glendale. The Dodgers’ first home game at Camelback Ranch will be the following day against the San Francisco Giants.
YOU ARE LOOKING LIVE: Dodger pitchers were back on the mounds throwing live batting practice today and among those who tossed were Chad Billingsley, Aaron Harang, Ronald Belisario, Jamey Wright, Josh Lindblom, Nathan Eovaldi, Ramon Troncoso, Chris Withrow, Michael Antonini and Josh Wall.
(Photo Credit Jon SooHoo/ Los Angeles Dodgers)
BEST OF THE BEST: However, the main attraction today was 2011 National League Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw squaring off with Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier and James Loney during his live batting practice session. As Kershaw walked off the mound, Adam Kennedy and Mark Ellis arrived at the field, with Kennedy asking the 21-game winner, “Are you throwing?” To which Kershaw replied, “I’m done.” Kennedy waited a half beat and deadpanned, “You’re lucky,” before breaking into a wide smile.
(Kershaw pitching to Kemp, via twitvid @Dodgers)
THE MOST IMPORTANT MEAL: This morning was the annual Cactus League Breakfast and this year the hosts were none other than the Dodgers, White Sox and Camelback Ranch – Glendale. Hundreds of local politicians, sponsors, civic leaders and baseball folks enjoyed a buffet breakfast and speeches from several team personnel, including Hall of Famer Tommy Lasorda, Dodger General Manager Ned Colletti, White Sox Vice President, Player Development Buddy Bell and White Sox broadcaster Steve Stone.
- NON-ROSTER SPOTLIGHT: One catcher has literally stood out among the Dodger backstops and that’s the 6’ 4” California native Gorman “Griff” Erickson. The 24-year-old San Diego resident was selected by the Dodgers in the 15th round of the 2006 First-Year Player Draft and hit a combined .293 and set career highs with 13 homers and 66 RBI in 104 games with Single-A Rancho Cucamonga and Double-A Chattanooga. Erickson was the starting catcher in the California League All-Star Game in 2011.
(Dee Gordon & Andre Ethier during first full squad meeting, via Jon SooHoo/ LA Dodgers)
- LEAP DAY MADNESS: According to the wonderful people at baseball-reference.com, there have been just 11 players in baseball history born on Feb. 29. Of those, only one played for the Dodgers, as Ed Appleton pitched for the Brooklyn Robins from 1915-16, going 5-12 with a 3.25 ERA in 48 games (13 starts). The most recent big leaguer who can only celebrate a birthday once every four years is Terrence Long, who played from 1999-2006.
SIGN HERE PLEASE: Today was autograph day at Camelback Ranch and the Dodgers signed hundreds of balls, jerseys, photos and bats that will be auctioned off for charity, donated or given away throughout the season.
SAY CHEESE: This Friday is photo day at Camelback Ranch – Glendale This year, a bevy of entities will be taking part, including the Associated Press, Getty Images, Dodger radio partner AM 570 Fox Sports Radio, MLB International, MLB Photos, Baseball Magazine Sha, Dodger broadcast partner KCAL 9, Topps and MLB.com.
DREAM A LITTLE DREAM: Tomorrow, the Dodgers will hold their annual open tryout here at Camelback Ranch – Glendale, hosted by the amateur scouting department. The tryout will take place from 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. and potential prospects can call 323-224-1512 for details and instructions.
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