Old Dodger Skipper Leo Durocher is doing what many of us hope to be doing soon in the photo above. He is about to embark onto a plane towards the Dodgers Spring Training home in Havana, Cuba for the 1947 season. As you know, the emergence of Jackie Robinson that year would cause all kinds of strife behind the scenes that spring; including a petition by several players against Jackie. Nevertheless, the breaking of the color barrier would soon commence. BTW, Durocher's was eventually suspended as manager before the start of the season (it was related to his association with known gamblers), but not before squelching the aforementioned petition. On a side note, Durocher so admired Robinson he started calling him a "Durocher with talent." The ACME press photo above was found on eBay.
below are more links to check out:
- This is exactly right. The Dodgers are rebuilding the minor league system while at the same time staying competitive, and within a few short years we'll reap the benefits. Via Nick Lampe at Beyond the Boxscore, "Andrew Friedman is building a long-term juggernaut without sacrificing the present."
Despite everything that has happened this offseason, the Dodgers are in a better position than ever to compete in 2016 and beyond as a result of some of the moves made by Andrew Friedman and company over the last year. Looking ahead to 2016, the Dodgers are in an excellent position to win the NL West title for the fourth year in a row. At this point in time, FanGraphs depth charts have the Dodgers at 47.6 WAR, which roughly equates to a 95-win team. This total is the second-best in all of baseball behind only the Cubs (51.8 WAR), and it puts them eight games in front of the Giants and 16 games in front of the Diamondbacks.
- I can't believe I forgot to mention this. Check out this great piece at The Players' Tribune titled, "The Return." It's all about the MLB Goodwill Tour to Cuba that recently concluded, and it includes some fantastic photos.
The waiters who had been hustling to set tables for dinner on the patio a few feet away suddenly stopped and looked out at the lawn, then back at one another, completely confused. The guy was throwing heat.
A hotel guest ran over and asked in disbelief, “Is that … Clayton Kershaw?”
- Check out who's on the cover of Baseball America 2016 Prospect Handbook - Corey Seager. Check it out on the right. You can order a copy here.
- Via David Hood at True Blue LA, "Dodgers top prospects 2016: No. 13, Chris Anderson."
It’s possible that Anderson has more value in trade for the Dodgers, but 2015 was a step back and he could use next season to rebuild value or repackage himself as a reliever. He could return to Tulsa to start next season if the Dodgers wish to continue his development as a starter, but I most likely see his 2016 role in the Oklahoma City bullpen. He’s ranked as high as he is because the potential is still there for late relief, but next season is a make or break season for Anderson’s prospect value. If Anderson’s best stuff shows itself more frequently in relief, it’s possible that he could make his Dodgers’ debut at the end of the 2016 season.
- Via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider, "How Chris Hatcher shone in 2015’s second half."
“I think early on in the year, I sat there and overanalyzed what I was doing,” he said. “But at the end of the year, it was more, ‘Give me that ball. I’ll move on. If I give up one, give it to me tomorrow.'”
- The Dodgers activity in the international arena continues abated. Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Dodgers international notes: Carlos Sierra, Juan Camilo Zabala, Emmanuel Marcano."
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