In case you missed it – Page 7

On February 27, 2015

[mlbvideo id=”3223721″ width=”550″ height=”308″ /]

By Jon Weisman

I didn’t know Juan Pierre, but he always seemed like a wonderful guy, regardless of the debate that surrounded him. He was a symbol of the divide between Old School and New School thoughts about value in baseball: lots of hits but low OBP, lots of steals but a mediocre success rate, lots of joy in the clubhouse but questions about how much that translated into wins.

His third year as a Dodger, in 2009, was his most interesting one. Beginning the season on the bench behind the burgeoning talents of Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier and the massive presence of Manny Ramirez, he surged back into relevance once Ramirez was suspended, with a .365 OBP, and by the time the summer dust had settled, numerous people argued he was the team’s most valuable player, keeping them alive for what ended up being a run to the National League Championship Series.

A look back at that year through Fangraphs shows that even playing 41 more games than Ramirez, Pierre trailed him and five other Dodger position players in Wins Above Replacement for the season, retroactive evidence for those of us who felt thankful for the way Pierre had stepped up but didn’t quite see him as the MVP. But saying that he was overvalued doesn’t mean that he shouldn’t have been valued at all. Those are two different concepts, that I like to think we have a better understanding of today.

Pierre had four seasons in his career of more than 200 hits, and at one point was a legitimate candidate to get 3,000, at a not-so-long-ago time when 3,000 hits was a Hall of Fame guarantee. As it is, he retires today with 2,217 hits — no small feat — and 614 career steals, which is 18th in MLB history. He also leaves with a reputation as one of the nicest guys in the game … and with his sense of humor intact.

I do have one regret I finished with 18 homeruns really wanted to get 20 so if any team wants to sign me for 3yrs that should be enough time

— Juan Pierre (@JPBeastMode) February 28, 2015

Not too shabby. Best wishes to him.

Elsewhere in Dodgeropolis., here’s what’s happening …

In case you missed it: Soaking in Spring Training

On February 26, 2015

Sights and sounds from the first day of full-squad workouts. #DodgersST pic.twitter.com/qQeruLQqKz

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) February 27, 2015

By Jon Weisman

Man, it was a beautiful day in the neighborhood today. Here’s what’s percolating:

In case you missed it: Strike one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine …

On February 25, 2015

For more photos from today, visit LA Photog Blog.

By Jon Weisman

The picture above, of a ball thrown by Clayton Kershaw, efficiently shows he is able to strike out the side at any given moment.

That was then, this is … also then:

Kershaw had identical strikeout-walk ratios to righty and lefty batters in 2014, a development that intrigued Alec Dopp at Gammons Daily.
Joel Peralta, who is behind on his throwing program, could join Kenley Jansen and Chris Withrow on the Opening Day disabled list, reports Ken Gurnick of MLB.com.
Hyun-Jin Ryu was held out of workouts today but is expected back Thursday, reports Gurnick.
Newly signed Chad Gaudin missed the 2014 season after having a rare surgical procedure, unprecedented for an MLB player, writes Eric Stephen of True Blue L.A.
Stephen also has an entertaining notebook of Week 1 Spring Training observations.
Ryu is the Dodgers’ fastest-working pitcher, and Peralta the slowest. Read more about it from Dustin Nosler at Dodgers Digest.
Paco Rodriguez talked about his offseason adjustments with Ron Cervenka of Think Blue LA.
Alex Guerrero’s thoughts about changing relations between U.S. and Cuba and his evolving status with the Dodgers can be found in this piece by Bill Plunkett of the Register.

"Goodbye LA. Off to Arizona #SpringTraining." –@tommy2lasorda

A post shared by Los Angeles Dodgers (@dodgers) on Feb 25, 2015 at 4:08pm PST

In case you missed it: Brandon Beachy, shadow-pitching

On February 24, 2015

In History, In case you missed it

Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers

For more photos from today, visit LA Photog Blog.

By Jon Weisman

All my bags aren’t packed, I’m not ready to go. (Reference lost on anyone under 40 …)

Today’s short stack:

Andre Ethier talked to reporters today after meeting with Andrew Friedman, Farhan Zaidi and Don Mattingly about his prospects for 2015 in the Dodger outfield. Ken Gurnick has more at MLB.com, while Tim Brown of Yahoo Sports adds his own perspective.
Zack Greinke had his first 2015 Spring Training bullpen session, which Gurnick covers here.
Mike Petriello of Dodgers Digest uses Julio Urias as a launching pad to look back at Adrian Beltre’s Dodger career and the implications of calling a player up in his teens. (Side note: As big a booster as I always was of Beltre, not even I realized his 2004 season might have been the greatest combination of offense and defense in Dodger history.)
We touched on this subject recently, but Historic Dodgertown posted a piece on “Dodgertown and the Integration of Major League Baseball Spring Training” by Jerald Podair. Some great history within.

In case you missed it: Shiny happy people laughing

On February 23, 2015

For more images from today, visit LA Photog Blog.

By Jon Weisman

Share a Spring Training smile with Yasiel Puig and Davey Lopes, then head on down to tonight’s links …

The circumstances surrounding Kenley Jansen’s foot surgery are detailed by Ken Gurnick of MLB.com.
The effort of David Aardsma (pictured at right with Orel Hershiser) to reinvent his mechanics is the subject of a lengthy feature by Gurnick.
The newest newest Dodger, Dustin McGowan, is discussed in this Eric Stephen piece at True Blue L.A.
Stephen also offers some perspective on Andre Ethier, who reported to camp today.
Mark Saxon delved into the topic of Dodger players and social media at ESPN Los Angeles, including an interview with our old friend Josh Tucker. Brandon McCarthy, Brett Anderson and David Huff also had interesting things to say to Saxon.
J.P. Hoornstra of the Daily News explores the Dodgers’ process of determining Julio Urias’ workload in 2015.
It’s not out of the question that MLB could revert to a 154-game season, according to new MLB commissioner Rob Manfred, though don’t look for it anytime soon.
What is your opinion of Dave Kingman’s performance? As Will Leitch writes at Sports on Earth, it might deserve to change, given the current era of strikeouts.
Farhan Zaidi won the Dodger front-office Oscar pool by picking 20 out of 24 winners.

Meanwhile in Los Angeles…42 days until #OpeningDayLA.

A post shared by Los Angeles Dodgers (@dodgers) on Feb 23, 2015 at 11:09am PST

In case you missed it: Post-Oscars package

On February 22, 2015

For more photos from today, visit LA Photog Blog.

By Jon Weisman

Starting off, our best wishes go to Dodger assistant pitching coach Ken Howell, who is missing Spring Training because of ongoing health issues, as Ken Gurnick of MLB.com writes. Howell did text Gurnick that he is “doing much better.”

Here’s a quick look at today’s notes …

In case you missed it: Juan Uribe in the house

On February 21, 2015

For more images from today, visit LA Photog Blog.

By Jon Weisman

Well, now that Uribear is here, the party can really start …

Zack Greinke had a planned lubricating injection in his right elbow. Greinke, who has already thrown five bullpen sessions, had the procedure done as a precaution, as Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.
Today’s health log also includes new reliever Joel Peralta, who had right shoulder discomfort in a bullpen session two weeks ago, Gurnick notes, but was checked out by a doctor plans to resume playing catch Sunday.
In addition, Don Mattingly said today that non-roster submariner Ben Rowen, recovering from thoracic surgery, is on a reduced workload.
Brandon Beachy and Farhan Zaidi spoke to reporters today about the latter signing the former. Eric Stephen of True Blue L.A. has quotes, including this:

“We’re going to be conservative with it because it’s his second one and we have an investment in him not just for 2015 but 2016 as well,” Zaidi said. “We’re hoping he’ll be ready to go midseason, All-Star break, in that range, but that’s just a guess. His timeline will be determined by how well he progresses.”
Mattingly told reporters today that he doesn’t expect to see Julio Urias pitch for the Major League club in 2015.
The Dodgers have the No. 1 lineup in baseball, according to Barry Svrluga of the Washington Post, and the No. 3 pitching staff.
Brandon McCarthy and Brett Anderson both review analytics but exploit them in different ways, writes J.P. Hoornstra of the Daily News.
It’s Spring Training, but McCarthy is in midseason Twitter form.

the first day at a new job is always scary but thankfully I had a shower with my co-workers to look forward to and that took the edge off

— Brandon McCarthy (@BMcCarthy32) February 21, 2015

In case you missed it: Kick in the pants edition

On February 20, 2015

In Bullpen, History, In case you missed it

For more photos from today, visit LA Photog Blog.

By Jon Weisman

Let’s see what’s underfoot …

Clayton Kershaw feels good but was very self-judgmental after his first bullpen session at Camelback, reports Ken Gurnick of MLB.com.
J.P. Howell and Joel Peralta are in their third city as teammates, writes Gurnick. (Eric Stephen of True Blue L.A. has more.)
Early arrival Yasiel Puig is the subject of this feature by MLB.com’s Anthony Castrovince, who writes that “this morning, he was taking hacks off the pitching machine with a slightly different mechanical intention, trying not to wrap the bat over his head as much in his stance and keeping his hands just a tad farther from his right shoulder.”
Here’s how Corey Seager is out to make a good first impression, according to Mark Saxon of ESPN Los Angeles.
Dan Haren officially reported to Spring Training for the Marlins, as this Associated Press story indicates.
David Schoenfield of ESPN.com’s Sweet Spot looks at some of the key non-roster invitees of the National League West.
Dick Young’s February 1957 story on the Dodgers’ purchase of Wrigley Field in Los Angeles was reprinted today by the New York Daily News.
Here’s a video clip from Thursday of Andrew Friedman and Don Mattingly discussing the Dodgers’ bullpen situation, courtesy of SportsNet LA.

[mlbvideo id=”37838983″ width=”550″ height=”308″ /]

And more from social media …

In case you missed it: Let’s blog two

On February 19, 2015

For more photos from today, visit LA Photog Blog.

By Jon Weisman

On the first official day of Spring Training, there’s enough material for two batches of ICYMI — thanks in part to the dual, shirt-dazzling presence of Andrew Friedman and Don Mattingly. Let the bullet points begin …

New Dodger starting pitcher Brett Anderson has tested his surgically repaired lower back through several bullpen sessions and so far, so good, reports MLB.com’s Ken Gurnick, who adds that “Anderson said he might be on a slightly modified workload early in camp, but his goal is to train at the same pace as the other starting pitchers.”
Per Gurnick, “Hyun Jin-Ryu said on Thursday that he’s in better shape to throw than he was his first two springs with the Dodgers, having already thrown more bullpen sessions in an attempt to avoid the shoulder problems that plagued him last year.”
Clayton Kershaw juxtaposed his regular-season success with his postseason disappointment, reports Gurnick.
More on Kershaw comes from Mark Saxon of ESPN Los Angeles, including this note on fatherhood.

… “I feel like I’m a decent dad at this point. It was tough to leave them, obviously, but Ellen’s a champ. She can handle it,” Kershaw said. “I’ve definitely changed some diapers and I’ve gotten up. I mean, there’s only so much you can do, but I’ve offered some moral support.” …
Saxon also quotes Friedman on the bullpen situation:

… “Right now, the guys we’ve had some trade discussions about, the guys that are freely available, we’re going to continue to try to sift through it and figure out what actually makes sense as opposed to a reactionary move that may look good in the moment,” Friedman said. …
A.J. Ellis told J.P. Hoornstra of the Daily News that he worked with a coach during the offseason on trying to improve his pitch framing, which he takes seriously.

… “It’s definitely real,” Ellis said. “I think it’s something that people are giving a lot more credence to. People are looking at it. Catching is such a hard position to evaluate because there’s so many intangibles that you can’t put a measurement on.

“People love lists, and this is one way you can see a list of rankings and make judgments on who belongs where. There’s no stat right now for a catcher’s value in calling a game.” …
This quote from Chris Hatcher is part of Eric Stephen’s notebook at True Blue L.A.:

…”First and foremost, I just want to make the team. Second of all, just to be ready when they call my name,” Hatcher said. “They haven’t really expressed anything to me, and I’m not expecting [to close]. I’m just preparing to be ready to take the ball.”‘ …
Longtime Dodger fans remember Ron Cey’s incomparable single, “Third Base Bag.” Cey talks to Dan Epstein about it at Fox Sports’ Just a Bit Outside.

In case you missed it: Welcome to Spring Training edition

On February 19, 2015

#BaseballBegins NOW! Pitchers and catchers report TODAY. pic.twitter.com/fcmysXbhZD

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) February 19, 2015

By Jon Weisman

So I looked outside because they said pitchers and catchers were reporting to Spring Training today, but no one was on the field at Dodger Stadium. And then someone said, “Maybe they’re in Arizona, at Camelback Ranch.” And I said, “You know, you’re probably right. That makes sense.”

Well, maybe that’s not exactly how it went. But I do wish they were here, or I was there. The good news is, I’ll be there in less than a week. So I told them not to wait for me to start their workouts.

Now, what’s happening on this fine morning …

Among the other position players who have reported ahead of their February 26 deadline are Yasiel Puig, Joc Pederson, Corey Seager and Scott Schebler.
Senior vice president of baseball operations Josh Byrnes gave a 12-minute interview to David Vassegh of AM 570 KLAC. Here’s what he had to say about the Dodger bullpen in the wake of Kenley Jansen’s foot surgery:

“I think it’s something we’ll talk about with Don Mattingly and Rick Honeycutt,” Byrnes said. “Sometimes, the players will dictate what roles they need to be in, and I’ve certainly been around a few teams and seasons where we probably didn’t know until the end of March who was going to be our closer. Once someone locks it down, they can sometimes get on a roll. I think we’ll keep talking about it — we might just be patient and see how guys are doing, we might look external — but I think we’re gonna be open-minded in terms of how and when we try to solidify the back end.”
Why is Julio Urias so awesome? Wilson Karaman answers the question at Minor League Ball.
In November, we reported how close the Dodgers came to being known as the Kings. At Radom Thoughts, Todd Radom writes about how close they came to being nicknamed the Canaries.
Former Dodger infielder Lenny Harris has been named assistant hitting coach for the Marlins, writes Joe Frisaro of MLB.com (via Hardball Talk).

And more from social media …

In case you missed it: Two days until pitchers and catchers

On February 17, 2015

In Farewells, History, In case you missed it, Pitching, Television

http://instagram.com/p/zED0aXrEJw/?modal=true

By Jon Weisman

Pitchers and catchers, we’ll be saying hello to you at Camelback Ranch inside of 48 hours. Hope you packed as well as we did.

In the meantime …

In case you missed it: Farewell, Stan Chambers

On February 13, 2015

In Farewells, History, In case you missed it

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWkz9zq9y0A

By Jon Weisman

The only broadcaster with a longer tenure in Los Angeles than Vin Scully was Stan Chambers. Chambers, who joined KTLA in December 1947, mere weeks after the station opened, was a direct connection to the origins of television in this city.

In case you missed it: The gnome who roams

On February 12, 2015

In In case you missed it, Promotions

Tommy Lasorda garden gnome, presented by @ChefMerito. Get yours May 25: http://t.co/8FWOQkd9fb https://t.co/SYG02liGiQ

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) February 11, 2015

By Jon Weisman

After checking out the video above, check out this quick update on what’s percolating in the Dodgers’ world …

In case you missed it: The smokejumper quest continues