Dodgers Notes from Spring Training: Full-Squad Workout #2

Throughout Spring Training the Dodgers PR department sends out helpful daily notes from Camelback Ranch, and I am happy to pass them along.  See what they've written below.

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(Brian Wilson with the bat, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014)

WHERE IS EVERYBODY?: With the club’s pitchers noticeably absent due to a scheduled day off, the Dodgers’ position players held their second official workout of 2014 with hitters taking two turns batting on the field, bunting with Maury Wills and working in a defensive rotation. Los Angeles ranked third in the NL with a .264 team batting average last year in Mark McGwire’s first season as hitting coach, but led the Senior Circuit with both a .270 batting average and a .330 on-base percentage from June 10 through the conclusion of the season.

(pic via @Dodgers on twitter)

CEY IT AIN’T SO: The Dodgers would like to wish a very happy 66th birthday to Ron Cey, who played 12 seasons with the Dodgers from 1971-82. Cey was selected to six All-Star games from 1974-79 and was named tri-MVP of the 1981 World Series, batting .350 with a home run and six RBI as the Dodgers downed the Yankees in six games.

• Sharing a birthday with Cey is Dodgers PR legend Steve Brener. Dodger historian Mark Langill profiled Brener and his contributions to the franchise, which have spanned two centuries, in a post on the Dodger Insider blog today.

  

  (Juan Uribe and Alexander Guerrero, via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014)

PLAN AHEAD: It was announced yesterday that the club will maintain its $10 parking price in 2014 for those fans that purchase parking in advance for the upcoming season. The charge for those without an advance parking pass will be $15. Dodger fans that have bought individual game tickets are encouraged to go online to purchase parking for the games they are planning to attend. Season ticket holders and mini-plan holders who did not purchase parking can take advantage of even a more reduced parking price by calling 323-DODGERS. The Dodgers are continuing to study other transportation improvements and parking enhancements to improve ingress and egress and will have a few new initiatives in place at the opening of the season, including:

• Restriping the many lots, modifying circulation patterns and improved on-site signage.
• Added bike racks to encourage bicycles as an alternative mode of transportation to Dodger Stadium .
• Enhancing and further promoting of the use of public bus on Sunset Boulevard and better marketing at the Metro Gold Line Chinatown and Red Line Hollywood Stations.
• More and clearer way-finding signage directing traffic to underutilized gates.
• Additional on-site parking spaces

(Tommy Lasorda and Yasiel Puig, via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014)

THE SKIPPER: Tomorrow, at USC’s Dedeaux Field, Hall of Fame Manager and Special Advisor to the Chairman Tommy Lasorda will be on hand for an unveiling of a statue of legendary college baseball coach Rod Dedeaux. Lasorda, along with former USC pitcher Randy Johnson, will speak at the event.

AMATEUR HOUR: Yesterday, the Minnesota Golden Gophers downed the Northern Illinois Huskies, 3-2 in 10 innings, at Camelback Ranch in the season-opener for both teams. The three-game series continues today and Sunday with 1:00 p.m. games at the main stadium between Seth Rosin’s and Ned Colletti’s alma maters, with free admission and food and beverages available for purchase during the Dodgers’ workouts and the college games.

(pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014)

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The Walter Alston 1961 Union Oil Dodger Family Booklet

Following up on Thursday's post featuring the Vin Scully/Jerry Doggett 1961 Union Oil Dodger Family Booklet, I now show you the Walter Alston booklet.  As you know, Alston was the longtime Dodger manager from 1954 to 1976.  He skippered 4 World Championship clubs, had his number retired (24) by the Dodgers in 1977 and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1983.

Click on any pic to embiggen.

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Blog Kiosk: 2/15/2014 - Dodgers Links - Matt Kemp, Stan Kasten and Clayton Kershaw

So, who's that guy barely visible, second on the left?  Yup, that's Jon Weisman of Dodger Thoughts fame and current Director of Digital and Print Content for the Dodgers.  Pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014.  BTW, Jon let us know yesterday that the "3 Sisters" have just been put back in the Dodgers bullpen - right where they belong

• Check out the 2014 Honorary Bat Girl Contest, here. 
• Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Matt Kemp confident in return, wants to play every day".  There are some who think Matt's statement is controversial, and potentially disastrous to team chemistry.  And, those folks are setting up a narrative that the Dodgers need to do something about the outfield situation.  I think it's all bunk.  They are making a mountain out of a mole hill.  I have no doubt our outfielders will get the playing time they deserve, and that given Kemp's recent injury history, he will play in measured doses.  In no way does that make him, or any other outfielder regular the 4th option.  Besides, these are all good problems to have.

"I'm not a fourth outfielder. We can cut that off right now, that's the last question you need to ask me. I'm not a fourth outfielder, I'm not going to be a fourth outfielder. I'm here to help my team by playing every day," Kemp said. "When it's time for me to come back, I'll come back and be the player I've been in past years when I was healthy."

• Mark Saxon at ESPN shares a Q&A with Dodger President Stan Kasten.
• Via JP Hoornstra at Inside the Dodgers, "Daily Distractions: What Derek Jeter taught a 22-year-old Hanley Ramirez."
• The Beanball thinks, "Paul Maholm Should Fire His Agent".
• Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Kershaw aims to add ring to trophy collection".

"I don't take it for granted and it's a very cool thing," he said, "but I'd trade it for a World Series ring. That's where I think we're headed and [that's] why I'm excited. A lot's got to happen, but at least I know we've got a good chance."

• ICYMI:  Cut4 has some Happy Valentine Day greetings from the Dodgers.  Go here to check that out.
• Via Greg Zakwin at Yahoo Sports, "Los Angeles Dodgers Phenom Yasiel Puig: High Expectations While Patience Is Preached".
• Harold Uhlman at Think Blue LA introduces us to Ogden Raptors new manager ‘Black Jack’ McDowell.

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