Dodgers Notes from Spring Training: Spring Game 33 / Road Game 18

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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Los Angeles Dodgers (16-9-7) at L.A. Angels (13-14-1)
Thursday, April 2, 2015 – 7:05 p.m. PT | Angel Stadium

BULLPEN GAME (TBD) vs. RHP Matt Shoemaker (1-2, 5.21)
TV: SNLA Radio: AM 570

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(Clayton Kershaw, pic via @Dodgers on twitter)

SO CAL SPECIAL: The Dodgers return to Southern California tonight with the first of three exhibition games against the Angels, before the season begins on Monday, April 6, against the Padres at Dodger Stadium. Tomorrow night, the squads will be back at Angel Stadium and then close out the Freeway Series at Dodger Stadium Saturday at 6:10 p.m.  The clubs will face off six times during the regular season, July 31-Aug. 2 at Dodger Stadium and Sept. 7-9 at Angel Stadium.

• Last year, the Dodgers won the season series between the clubs, 3-1, their first victory in the season series since 2006 (4-2).
• In anticipation of the Freeway Series, the clubs partnered on a billboard in Hollywood to celebrate the 2014 Most Valuable Player Awards of Clayton Kershaw and Mike Trout, with the script “Is Your MVP Red Or Blue.” Fans are encouraged to show their support by utilizing the hashtags #MVPKersh and #MVPTrout.
• On this date in 1962, the Dodgers and Angels played their first-ever game against each other with the Halos coming out on top, 6-5.
• Los Angeles has the National League’s top winning percentage this spring at .640 (16-9-7) and has established a new franchise record with seven ties.
• The Dodgers will have a bullpen game tonight with the starter still undecided. Those expected to see action include Mike Adams and Sergio Santos.
• Opening Day is just FOUR days away!

PADDING THE RECORD: The Dodgers allowed two runs to the Royals in the bottom of the ninth yesterday and ended up in a record-setting seventh tie this spring, 4-4. The contest in Surprise was the club’s last Cactus League game in Arizona and the final tuneup for NL MVP Clayton Kershaw, who allowed one unearned run in 3.0 innings. Kershaw posted a 1.61 ERA this spring, picking up right where he left off in the 2014 campaign, when he produced the lowest ERA (1.77) since Pedro Martinez’s 1.74 in 2000. Following Kershaw to the mound was Zach Lee, who allowed three runs in 5.1 innings and finished the spring with a 2.89 ERA. At he plate, Darwin Barney went 2-for-2 with a run scored, A.J. Ellis doubled and drove in a run and minor leaguer Travis Witherspoon went 2-for-2 with a home run.

(Darwin Barney, pic via @Dodgers on twitter)

A PLEASANT GOOD AFTERNOON: The Dodgers and the Los Angeles Police Department are spreading the word that fans should not park on the Avenue of the Palms (Stadium Way) between Scott Road and Academy Road. This street will have a “No Parking” restriction from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Opening Day, April 6. In addition, in order to keep all attendees safe, LAPD officers will be patrolling the area and will enact a zero tolerance policy for drinking in public or in the parks. Tailgating is not permitted on the Dodger Stadium premises. The Dodgers and the LAPD wish everyone a safe and fun-filled day of baseball, and ask fans to respect the neighborhood and stay safe.  I had previously written about some of the specific restrictions being put into place here.  Many of the neighborhood streets in the Echo Park and Solano Canyon area will have 2-hour parking restrictions.

SAFETY FIRST: Dodger fans will experience new security procedures set forth by Major League Baseball beginning with the Freeway Series finale on Saturday, April 4 with the Angels and running through the 2015 MLB season. MLB will be implementing new mandatory security procedures through a metal detector-enhanced screening process. This procedure, which resulted from a recent study of best security practices and MLB’s continuing work with the Department of Homeland Security to elevate and standardize initiatives across the game, will be in addition to bag checks that have been uniform throughout MLB.  Fan screening may be conducted by means of hand-held metal detection or walk-through magnetometers. These procedures were utilized periodically at certain gates during the 2014 season and all 30 Major League Baseball teams will institute these procedures this year.

FOLLOW THE CACTUS LEADERS: The Dodgers have blasted a Major League lead-tying 47 home runs (the Cubs also have 47) and have a .286 team batting average (3rd, NL) with a .488 slugging percentage (1st, NL) this spring.

• Joc Pederson continues to rank among the NL leaders this spring in batting average (.368, 5th), slugging percentage (.754, 1st), hits (21, T-8th), runs (13, T-3rd), total bases (43, 2nd) and home runs (6, T-2nd).
• Justin Turner has hit safely in 15 of his last 16 games and is batting .477 with six doubles, three homers and eight RBI, while posting a .500 on-base percentage and a .818 slugging percentage in 18 Cactus League games.
• Yasiel Puig ranks among the NL’s best this spring in home runs (5, T-4th) while Kiké Hernandez places among the league’s best in home runs (5, T-4th) and runs scored (12, T-7th).

THE BIG 7-0: The Dodgers would like to wish a very happy birthday to Hall of Famer Don Sutton, who turns 70 years old today. Joining Sutton in celebrating his birthday is legendary Dodger slugger Reggie Smith, who also turns 70. Happy Birthday guys!

(Jackie Robinson, pic via @Dodgers on twitter)

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A Collection of Dodgers' 1956 Tour of Japan Contracts at SCP Auctions

There is currently a preview for SCP's upcoming Spring auction and it includes a fascinating complete collection of signed contracts for the Dodgers 1956 Tour of Japan.  Check out one of them above.  The auction includes contracts for 25 ballplayers and another 45 signed contracts for wives, coaches and officials.  Included are the likes of Jackie Robinson, Roy Campanella, Pee Wee Reese, Gil Hodges, Rachel Robinson, Beverley Snider, umpire Jocko Conlan, NL President Warren Giles and Vin Scully.

As you may know, the Dodgers went on a whirlwind Pacific Baseball tour following the 1956 season.  They were invited to Japan by Matsutaro Shoriki, the father of Japanese professional baseball, in cooperation with Yoniuri newspaper.  Overall, they played 21 games throughout the country and three games on Hawaii as a warm up. 

US Ambassador John M. Allison said that Baseball had become "a regular and significant event in Japan’s relations with the United States... This visit to Japan by one of America’s most notable baseball teams is an outstanding example of the many mutual interests shared by the people of Japan and the United States, the two nations which regard baseball as a national sport. It is but one of the many exchanges by which the two countries further their good relations and understanding."

What I find striking about the contracts are the terms expressed in the agreement.  It says,

I am to receive for expenses the sum of $3,000 American money plus $500 equivalent in Japanese yes.  Should my wife accompany me on the entire trip the sum of $3,000 will be reduced by $1,500.  Should my wife accompany me for the Hawaiian Island leg of the trip and then return to the United States I will receive a credit for the airline transportation not expended on her behalf.  All transportation and hotel accommodations and meals shall be first class and shall be at the expense of the Yoniuri newspaper.

You can find out more about this tour at Walter O'Malley.com, here.  There are also a whole bunch of photographs to look through and game recaps.

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Now You Can Own Will Ferrell's Game-Used Dodger Uniform

Were you enamored with the magnificent spectacle created by Will Ferrell during his recent Spring Training exploits?

Have you ever thought, "I want to look just like him?"

Or, maybe you just want to help a good cause while adding unique collectibles to your collection.

Now is your chance.  On auction are a whole bunch of game-used memorabilia used by Ferrell to play ten different positions for ten different teams on the same day,  Best yet, all proceeds go to charity.

Above are photos of the uniform he wore for the Dodgers as a pitcher.  Check out that auction here.  You can also find his pants (here) and his cap (here).  No word on if his jock strap will be for sale.

(Auction Link)

(Auction Link)

You can watch him pitch for the Dodgers below:

Video Link:

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Blog Kiosk: 4/2/2015 - Dodger Links - New OKC Mascots, Pedro Martinez, and DeLeon

The Dodgers new AAA club in Oklahoma City just revealed their official team mascots by tweeting the graphic above.  Check it out.  They are cattle dogs and they go by the name of Brooklyn and Brix.  You can find out more about them here.

"When people think of the Dodgers, they think of Dodger Dogs, of course," OKC Dodgers President/General Manager Michael Byrnes said. "We think that Brooklyn and Brix are a fun, new twist on that connotation."

Below are some links to check out:

• Eric Stephen at True Blue LA has a great rundown on the Dodger roster situation now that Spring Training in Arizona is officially over.  Check that post here.
• Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider lets us all know about the upgrades and new food options available at Dodger Stadium.
• Pedro Martinez tweeted a bit about being traded by the Dodgers:

On DeShields Trade: It pushed me forward, I didn't want to leave the Dodgers. I was there with my brother and I did everything in the Minors
— Pedro Martinez (@45PedroMartinez) April 1, 2015

Drysdale, Hershiser, they were all nice to me. Hershiser suggested Lasorda to make me a stopper. Don't know what happened. They traded me.
— Pedro Martinez (@45PedroMartinez) April 1, 2015

• JP Hoornstra at Inside the Dodgers writes a bit about how statistics can lie: "A brief story about 19-year-old pitcher Victor Gonzalez and minor league statistics."

Grandal walked away quite impressed after standing in the box against Gonzalez. He said that Gonzalez was sitting in the low 90′s, reminding him of “Urias without polish” — more typical of a 19-year-old’s repertoire, but with tons of promise.

• Here's the cover of the April 2015 edition of Dodger Insider magazine on the right.  Jon Weisman at the Dodger Insider blog tells us a bit more about what's inside, here.
• Ron Cervenka at Think Blue LA shares, "An interview with top pitching prospect Jose De Leon."

When I came in I was throwing five pitches, now I pitch three. I just focus on the quality of those three pitches and feel more comfortable. I’m pretty sure that losing weight helped me out a lot, I’m more flexible and able to throw the ball down in the zone. But the mental game is the key, for me that’s key. I didn’t have that last year at all.

• Via Glen Creason at Los Angeles Magazine, "CityDig: This Map Solves the Riddle of the Los Angeles Angels’ 1893 Night Game."
• Was this an April Fools joke?  via a tweet from Bill Shaikin:

#Dodgers officially add Ned Colletti to SportsNet LA broadcast team.
— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) April 1, 2015

No, it's not.

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