For more images from today, visit the Dodgers Photog Blog.
By Jon Weisman
Let’s recap the first Saturday of Spring Training …
- Ken Gurnick of MLB.com passed along Kenley Jansen’s reaction to the news this winter that the Dodgers might be acquiring fellow Fraternity of Firemen fellow Aroldis Chapman …
… With Jansen one season from free agency, president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman was concerned enough about the potential fallout that he told Jansen the attempted deal was part of a “Life after Zack” strategy to shorten the game.
Jansen was already in a bad mood when news broke of the Chapman trade because he spent a day on the ocean when the fish weren’t biting.
“When I heard that, I wanted to know what they’re thinking, so we talked to them,” he said. “Andrew knows I’m the kind of person where, just be honest, and that’s what he did. He told me he wanted to improve the team and we’re on the same page there, so the trade didn’t happen and I’ve got to move forward. Why do I have to be bitter about it?” …
- Dave Roberts is addressing the team in large groups in these early days of Spring Training, but it’s not a practice he intends to continue ad nauseum, according to Doug Padilla of ESPN.com …
… “After that, it’s more upon the players to take hold of the clubhouse themselves,” said Roberts, who added that he has no intention of micromanaging, believing that a certain level of freedom will empower the players.
In replacing Don Mattingly this offseason, Roberts is in a unique position of taking over as a manager of a club that has legitimate championship potential. While admittedly excited, Roberts said his early-morning talk was composed.
“I think that as a coach, or as a first-time manager, you always want to control your emotions,” Roberts said. “But we just met for the first time in there and I let the guys know how excited I am and how excited the staff is. Every year, the first day of spring training is exciting, but obviously in this position, it’s all new to me. It’s going to be fun.” …
- Roberts added, per Padilla, that he has an idea of the order of the Dodgers’ starting rotation, but nothing has been made official. Said As Long as Hell Stays Above 32 Degrees Fahrenheit Opening Day starter Clayton Kershaw:
“I’m thankful enough to kind of know my spot on the team, but it’s not just about going through the motions. You have to treat each game like a big-league game and I feel like that’s the only way to prepare for a big league atmosphere, even though you really can’t simulate it. Spring training games are as close as you’re going to get. Facing those big league hitters a couple of times through the order is really important for me.”
- How special is Julio Urias? Tim Brown of Yahoo Sports aimed to find out.
… “He’s a down-to-earth, humble kid,” said Matt Herges, Urias’ pitching coach in Double-A Tulsa. “It’s so rare for a kid of his stature, too. I mean, the weight of the world is on him. At least the weight of his country. Really, it’s inspiring to me.
“He’s confident, but he’s not too confident. He knows he hasn’t earned this yet.”…
- Josh Ravin missed today’s workout because of flu-like symptoms, while non-roster invitee Brooks Brown is dealing with shoulder soreness. Eric Stephen of True Blue L.A. has more. Besides Brown and a quartet recovering from surgery (Hyun-Jin Ryu, Brandon McCarthy, Frankie Montas and Lisalverto Bonilla), every Dodger pitcher in Major League camp was scheduled to have a bullpen session this weekend.
- Barry M. Bloom of MLB.com checked in with former Dodger manager Don Mattingly as he starts his first Spring Training with the Marlins.
- Roy Campanella is shown visiting Ebbets Field on February 23, 1960 in this never-released picture from the New York Times, shortly before the famed ballpark’s demolition.
Comments are closed.