Los Angeles Dodgers News

Dodgers' Cory Wade to have surgery
Comment
March 17
Los Angeles Times
 
"The strength of the Dodgers' middle relief grew more questionable Tuesday when the team announced that right-hander Cory Wade would undergo exploratory surgery on his throwing shoulder Wednesday in Los Angeles. Dogged with shoulder problems since his strong rookie year in 2008, Wade will have an arthroscopic procedure performed by team physician Dr. Neal ElAttrache aimed at finding the source of his discomfort. The surgery probably will sideline Wade, 26, for at least two months. The Dodgers, who had a day off Tuesday, said more information about Wade's prospects would be disclosed after the surgery. Wade was a workhorse for the Dodgers in his rookie year when pitched a team-high 71 1/3 ..."
Hiroki Kuroda is hoping for a full, healthy season
Comment
March 17
Los Angeles Times
 
"There are aspects of baseball in this country that Hiroki Kuroda still isn't used to. Heading into his third season in the major leagues, Kuroda hasn't completely adjusted to pitching every five days. Or to the slickness of American baseballs. Or to even the spring-training schedule. So before leaving Los Angeles for Camelback Ranch last month, Kuroda picked up the phone and called the Japanese pitcher who overcame these obstacles better than any other. A pitcher who did that while wearing the same Dodgers colors Kuroda wears today. He called Hideo Nomo. Nomo is a part-time Los Angeles resident, but he and Kuroda had never met or talked. Kuroda had heard that Nomo was a guest coach in the ..."
Dodgers send Eric Gagne to minor league camp
Comment
March 16
Los Angeles Times
 
"Eric Gagne's longshot bid to return to the major leagues with the Dodgers just got longer. The former ace reliever was sent to the minors Monday mainly because he needs more work than would be available with the big league club, General Manager Ned Colletti said. "For the most part he needs to pitch, he needs to build up his arm strength especially for his off-speed stuff," Colletti said of Gagne, 34, a former Cy Young Award winner with the Dodgers who later was identified in the Mitchell Report as a user of performance-enhancing drugs. "We're not going to have the innings on the big league side to do that." Colletti said he joined Manager Joe Torre and pitching coach Rick Honeycutt to ..."
Jamie McCourt was interested in public office, estranged husband says
Comment
March 16
Los Angeles Times
 
"Jamie McCourt considered whether to parlay her high-profile position with the Dodgers into the pursuit of political offices, including president of the United States, according to documents filed by her estranged husband in the couple's divorce proceedings. McCourt declined to comment Monday, after speaking at a luncheon benefiting the Jewish Federation of Orange County. She told the crowd she had no desire to stage a public fight over ownership of the Dodgers but even less desire to walk away from a 30-year marriage on terms dictated by Frank McCourt. "I don't think that I should have to settle for less than what is right," she said. In a deposition included in the court filing, she said ..."
In the beginning, a look at the end game for Angels and Dodgers
Comment
March 16
Los Angeles Times
 columnist T.J. Simers
"The Angels are the better team, no, the Dodgers. They played each other Monday just for fun and exercise in front of a sellout crowd at Diablo Stadium, blue prevailing over red, but which team has the best chance to be the last standing in October? Take it position by position, and it's not only close, but how do you answer these questions? Who has the better season, Brandon Wood or Blake DeWitt? Which team has the better center fielder? One playoff game, one more save to get a team to the World Series, and they hand the ball to Brian Fuentes or Jonathan Broxton? Do you watch? So who really is better? First base: Kendry Morales' power is Mark Teixeira-like, and comes so much cheaper. The ..."
Eric Gagne sent back to minors
Comment
March 15
Los Angeles Times
 
"For the time being at least, the Eric Gagne experiment has closed. Gagne, who has struggled in his first three spring appearances (2 2/3 innings, six earned runs), has been reassigned to the minor league camp. His comeback is now facing a longer, more uncertain road. Manager Joe Torre, back from Taiwan, also told reporters in Phoenix it now looked doubtful that Visa Boy Ronald Belisario would be ready for the start of the season. The reliever remains in Venezuela, still sans his visa. "I thought that the chances of Belisario being here when I got back were pretty good," Torre said. "I think he would be a long shot for the opening day roster.""
L.A. Dodgers' Prospect Is Stealing First
Comment
March 15
Los Angeles Times
 
"Teams salivate for a ballplayer who can influence a game without reaching first. The majority of the time that ballplayer is a major power threat that pitchers eye in the on-deck circle. Although Davaris (Dee) Gordon is little and different. It is said that speed never has a slump, if that remains to be true it becomes frightening to think of what potential this 5'11", 140 lb, twenty one year old shortstop has."
Dodgers pitchers shine in Taiwan finale
Comment
March 15
MLB.com
 
"The Dodgers' 12 1/2-hour return flight from Taiwan landed in Phoenix early Sunday night with manager Joe Torre saying he will give his jet-lagged split-squad Monday off, while he reconvenes with the coaching staff he left behind for an update on Cactus League developments. And Torre will pass along what he saw on his Asian semi-vacation, particularly the performances of three pitchers in Sunday's 11-1 walloping of an All-Star team from the Chinese Professional Baseball League. While they were exhibition games on a goodwill trip, Spring Training is Spring Training. Torre went into the series finale wanting to see three pitchers in particular -- Josh Towers, Josh Lindblom and Jon Link -- ..."
Dodgers pitcher Hiroki Kuroda has a flashback moment
Comment
March 15
Los Angeles Times
 
"His three innings of work completed Sunday, pitcher Hiroki Kuroda was icing his arm in the Dodgers clubhouse at Camelback Ranch when he was delivered a grim reminder. Kuroda watched on television as teammate Reed Johnson hit a one-hop grounder that struck Texas Rangers pitcher Michael Kirkman on the side of the face, instantly bringing to mind how Kuroda was struck in the head by a line drive at nearby Chase Field on Aug. 15 in a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The injury sidelined Kuroda for three weeks and later led to a herniated disk in his neck. But the Japanese right-hander, who was the Dodgers' opening-day starter last year, said Sunday that the problems were behind him and ..."
Dodgers' Blake DeWitt is leaving no questions about his hitting
Comment
March 14
Los Angeles Times
 
"Manager Joe Torre has made it clear that Blake DeWitt's play at second base will determine whether the converted third baseman makes the Dodgers' opening day roster. While uncertainties remain about DeWitt's ability to play his new position - he has made one error in five starts - he's making clear that he's advancing as a hitter. DeWitt was two for four in the Dodgers' 7-3 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Saturday and hit his first home run of the spring - a three-run shot to center field in the third inning. DeWitt is batting .375 this spring and has a .524 on-base percentage. "You can't put all of your focus on one aspect of this game," he said. "You have to try to make their ..."
Dodgers counting on young Kershaw to emerge as staff ace
Comment
March 13
USA Today
 
"Clayton Kershaw has won a division-clinching game and played for two National League pennants. His 2.79 ERA last season ranked fifth in the league, putting him on a list of elite names in Los Angeles Dodgers history.And, to think, he doesn't turn 22 until next Friday. "I've been spoiled, but I'm not going to take anything for granted," said Kershaw, who helped lead the Dodgers last season to the NLCS, where they lost to the Philadelphia Phillies in five games. "I know Randy Wolf was in the playoffs for first time (after 11 seasons). It doesn't happen every year, but I am going to do everything I can to make it happen." Manager Joe Torre hasn't announced his opening-day starter yet, but ..."
Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw rekindling his competitive fire
Comment
March 13
Los Angeles Times
 
"No longer a kid trying to break into the big leagues, Clayton Kershaw has the luxury of using spring training to prepare himself for opening day instead of worrying about results. But Kershaw said that type of thinking doesn't sit well with him. "It's hard for me to say, 'I'm going to work on this,' " he said. "The competitor in you doesn't want to get shelled." Kershaw said he doesn't think those instincts have to be tamed. "I think part of spring training is getting back into competitive mode," he said. "It's your first time facing batters in a while. For me, that the biggest thing to work on." Kershaw was pleased with the way he pitched Friday in the Dodgers' 3-2 loss to the ..."
Belisario still not in camp
Comment
March 12
ESPN.com
 
"Dodgers reliever Ronald Belisario, who still hasn't reported to spring training because of visa problems in his native Venezuela, missed three appointments at the U.S. Embassy in Caracas, a Venezuelan newspaper reported. The purpose of those appointments was to help clear up the problems and expedite Belisario's travel to the U.S. The paper also reported Belisario left his Venezuelan Winter League team in the middle of the season without explanation. With opening day less than four weeks away, the Dodgers would be allowed to suspend Belisario indefinitely if he were deemed to be in less than top physical condition when he reports to camp. Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti said he has ..."
Injured Giles decides to retire
Comment
March 12
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"The reaction on Scott Hairston's face was one of disbelief. "Really," the center fielder said when told yesterday that former Padre Brian Giles had announced his retirement just down the road in the spring training camp of the Los Angeles Dodgers. "It was a privilege to play alongside Brian," said Hairston. "Obviously, he brought a lot of laughs into the clubhouse. There was always a smile on his face." "But he was one of the best I've played with. Each and every at-bat, he'd grind it out, always with the same composure. He was a true pro. I learned a lot from Gilley in so many ways. "I'm surprised but not surprised. His knee was really bad." It was the injury to Giles' right knee, which ..."
Manny Ramirez no longer the Dodgers' cover guy
Comment
March 12
Los Angeles Times
 
"Who's the face of the Dodgers? Manny Ramirez? He was signed to a two-year, $45-million contact last spring to be a headlining act in a star-driven city — only to be exposed as a drug cheat, slump miserably and return four months later promptly predicting that this season would be his last with the Dodgers. So who's on deck? Before Ramirez put himself under a gag order this spring, he encouraged reporters to spend less time talking to him and more time talking to the players he considered the cornerstones of the franchise: Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp. A couple of weeks later, a shipment of the Dodgers' 2010 media guides was delivered to Camelback Ranch and on the cover of the 472-page book: ..."
Dodgers get warm welcome in Taiwan
Comment
March 11
MLB.com
 
"Camera flashbulbs lit up the concourse as the Dodgers deplaned their EVA 777 charter Thursday. From the hundreds of autograph seekers that greeted the team at Taloyuan International Airport to the police escort through rush-hour traffic, to the hundreds who lined the sidewalk in front of The Sherwood Taipei Hotel. From the standing-room-only press conference to the rollicking cocktail reception -- where several players were coaxed into sinagalongs with the band -- there's already a heightened excitement before any of the three games have been played against an All-Star team from the Chinese Professional Baseball League. "It's the energy," said outfielder Xavier Paul, one of many players ..."
Dodgers' Mattingly far from boring as manager
Comment
March 11
L.A. Daily News
 
"If Don Mattingly really does intend on becoming a boring manager when his time comes, he failed miserably Wednesday. With Dodgers manager Joe Torre off to Taiwan, taking a split squad with him for an three-game exhibition series, Mattingly had an eventful first day as an interim manager. Not only did he reiterate that the Dodgers have talked to him about becoming Torre's eventual successor, but Wednesday's game against Arizona was highlighted by a blunder when the Dodgers batted out of order and then took advantage of the error. Just like his playing days when he won the American League MVP with the New York Yankees in 1985 and had a major-league record with at least one home run in eight ..."
Garret Anderson will try to play first base for Dodgers
Comment
March 11
Los Angeles Times
 
"To improve his chances of making the Dodgers' roster, Garret Anderson will try to do something he hasn't done in a long time. Make that a long, long time. Anderson hasn't played first base in such a long time that, he said, "I might as well say never." The last time he did, the now-37-year-old outfielder was 21 and playing for the Angels' triple-A affiliate in Vancouver. "They had me work out over there every day for probably like two, three weeks," Anderson said. "Rumor has it that it was because J.T. Snow was struggling in California. I don't know if that was true or not." Anderson admitted part of him was worried. "To break in with a position you're not familiar with, that would've ..."
Mattingly could work on keeping order in the lineup
Comment
March 11
Los Angeles Times
 columnist T.J. Simers
"Joe Torre had just taken off for Taiwan, leaving Don Mattingly to manage his first game at any level, Mattingly saying a few hours earlier Wednesday, "It's not that complicated," just before batting the Dodgers out of order. In hindsight, maybe a few games of experience as a Little League skipper might've been a good idea. "Joe's somewhere on a plane, and it's a debacle out there," said Andre Ethier with a laugh after making the second out in the third inning, then two hitters later leading off the fourth with a home run. Two days earlier Torre had Page 2 sign the lineup cards so they might be given to the umpire and opposing team, the Dodgers going on to play the game with no problems. ..."
Davis, who brought flash, speed to Dodgers, dies at 69
Comment
March 10
L.A. Daily News
 
"Former Dodgers general manager Buzzie Bavasi once said of center fielder Willie Davis: "There was nothing more exciting than to watch Willie run out a triple." Bavasi would then finish the statement: "He could have been a Hall of Famer, but he had million-dollar legs and a 10-cent head." Davis, one of the fastest, flashiest and electrifying players of his generation when he roamed the Dodger outfield in the 1960s and '70s, but someone who eventually couldn't outrun his own mistakes, was found dead Tuesday at his home in Burbank. He was 69. Burbank police Sgt. Robert Quesada said Davis was found by a neighbor, and no foul play is suspected. Dodger fans remember how the pitch of Vin Scully's ..."
Frank McCourt says estranged wife doesn't need spousal support pending trial
Comment
March 10
Los Angeles Times
 
"Frank McCourt says he should not be obligated to support his estranged wife during their divorce proceedings, claiming in a court filing Tuesday that Jamie McCourt can maintain her lifestyle and pay her legal fees without any contribution from him. Jamie McCourt had asked for nearly $1 million per month in spousal support pending trial and another $9 million to pay her attorneys and accountants. In response, Frank McCourt asked the court to deny what he called her unreasonable requests and claimed she could more than cover her costs by selling or renting six residential properties and tapping $11 million in liquid assets. Frank McCourt also alleged that Jamie McCourt has realized she has ..."
A rough start for Dodgers relievers Jonathan Broxton and George Sherrill
Comment
March 10
Los Angeles Times
 
"Closer Jonathan Broxton and setup man George Sherrill were far from perfect Tuesday in their first outings of the spring, giving up a combined four runs and five hits over 1 2/3 innings of a 12-0 loss to the Colorado Rockies at Camelback Ranch. But neither seemed to care, Broxton pointing to his health and Sherrill to his dismal history in the Cactus League. Broxton, who is scheduled to pitch 10 or 11 innings this spring, said his main goal is to make it through the exhibition season without getting hurt. So he didn't care that he gave up a run and three hits in his inning on the mound. "You have to pace yourself right now," Broxton said. Sherrill has made it no secret that he doesn't ..."
Frank McCourt says estranged wife doesn't need spousal support pending trial
Comment
March 10
Los Angeles Times
 
"Frank McCourt says he should not be obligated to support his estranged wife during their divorce proceedings, claiming in a court filing Tuesday that Jamie McCourt can maintain her lifestyle and pay her legal fees without any contribution from him. Jamie McCourt had asked for nearly $1 million per month in spousal support pending trial and another $9 million to pay her attorneys and accountants. In response, Frank McCourt asked the court to deny what he called her unreasonable requests and claimed she could more than cover her costs by selling or renting six residential properties and tapping $11 million in liquid assets."
Dodgers lose to Giants, 3-2
Comment
March 9
Los Angeles Times
 
"Matt Kemp hit the Dodgers' first home run of the spring, taking Barry Zito deep in the first inning. Blake DeWitt went two for two with a double. Angel Berroa, who is auditioning for a utility role, went two for four. ON THE MOUND: Chad Billingsley gave up a run in two innings, as did Clayton Kershaw, whose start on Sunday was rained out. Fifth starter candidates Josh Towers and Carlos Monasterios each pitched two scoreless innings. EXTRA BASES: In a "B" game at Camelback Ranch against the Chicago White Sox earlier in the day, pitching prospect Josh Lindblom gave up one hit in two scoreless innings."
Dodgers' Matt Kemp is up front about advantages of batting second
Comment
March 9
Los Angeles Times
 
"Unlike a certain someone who refused to admit a couple of years ago that hitting in front of Manny Ramirez made a difference, Matt Kemp had no problem saying that he would likely benefit from his new place in the lineup. "You got 'Dre behind me, so they're probably going to pitch to me because they don't want to see him," Kemp said. Standing in front of an adjacent locker stall, Andre Ethier leaned over to cut in. "Yeah, now that I got a hit they don't want to see me," said Ethier, who collected his first hit of the spring Monday. They laughed. Kemp, who batted seventh on opening day last year, has hit second in the Dodgers' first three games. Batting behind leadoff hitter Rafael Furcal ..."
Jamie McCourt retains famed trial lawyer David Boies
Comment
March 9
Los Angeles Times
 
"David Boies, one of America's most celebrated trial lawyers, has joined the team of attorneys representing Jamie McCourt in her divorce from Dodgers owner Frank McCourt. Boies is perhaps best known for representing Al Gore before the U.S. Supreme Court in the wake of the 2000 presidential election. This year, he asked the U.S. District Court in San Francisco to rule Proposition 8 — the initiative in which state voters defined marriage as the union of a man and a woman — as unconstitutional. Dennis Wasser, an attorney for Jamie McCourt, declined to comment on Boies' role in the Dodgers' divorce proceedings. Boies also declined to comment. However, according to Loyola Law School professor ..."
Dodgers' Russell Martin out with strained groin, hopes to return for season opener
Comment
March 8
Los Angeles Times
 
"Russell Martin acted as if nothing was wrong as he walked into the Dodgers' clubhouse Sunday morning, saying the MRI exam he underwent the previous day showed that he had nothing more than "a little strain" in his right groin. Well, it turned out that the "little strain" is significant enough that Martin is expected to miss opening day, as Manager Joe Torre announced later in the day that the catcher will probably be sidelined for the next four to six weeks. The Dodgers will open their season on April 5 in Pittsburgh. Their projected starting catcher for that game: 28-year-old A.J. Ellis, who has spent the majority of the last two years in Triple A. But trainer Stan Conte said that the ..."
Martin to be sidelined four to six weeks
Comment
March 7
MLB.com
 
"Dodgers catcher Russell Martin will miss 4-6 weeks with a groin pull, according to Dodgers manager Joe Torre. Martin underwent an MRI exam on Saturday for what he said was "a little strain" in his right lower abdomen, a test that he thought had ruled out anything more serious. "They said I have a little strain somewhere, either the lower abdomen or the groin area in the muscles that connect the hip, abdomen and groin," said Martin. He said he was worried going into the test but came out somewhat relieved, although he doesn't know how long he'll be shut down from baseball activity. "It depends. There's no certain time," he said. "I guess everybody responds differently. It's not anything ..."
Russell Martin says groin strain is 'not anything major'
Comment
March 7
Los Angeles Times
 
"Russell Martin was back in the Dodgers' clubhouse on Sunday morning, saying he was relieved after getting the results of the MRI exam he had undergone the previous day. "They said I've got like a little strain, somewhere either in the lower abdomen or groin area," he said. "It's not anything major. It's more of a preventive type of thing.""
Frank McCourt meets press but sidesteps some questions
Comment
March 7
Los Angeles Times
 
"Offered a chance to address a variety of issues pertaining to the Dodgers that have emerged over the course of his divorce proceedings, owner Frank McCourt declined to do so on Saturday, saying the matters were of a personal nature. McCourt said his lawyers would respond to the questions the same way they were first raised by the counsel of his estranged wife, Jamie McCourt -- in court papers. "I firmly believe in taking the high road and the long view on things, and my image and reputation will be fine," he said. "I've lived my entire life that way. I'm not going to get into the back and forth of it. I'll leave the process to the lawyers to deal with." McCourt spoke to a group of ..."
Possible groin injury creates concerns about Russell Martin's status
Comment
March 7
Los Angeles Times
 
"Russell Martin felt enough of a twinge in his groin area for the Dodgers' medical staff to send him to a nearby hospital for an MRI on Saturday. Manager Joe Torre admitted that he was concerned about the catcher. Asked if the problem was muscular, Torre replied, "I think we're finding that out." Martin was scheduled to be examined by the team physician, Dr. Neal ElAttrache, on Saturday night. "Hopefully, it's nothing more than [something] that will get better with a little rest," Torre said. "But we'll see." Torre said Martin had experienced discomfort for a couple of days but did not tell trainers anything until he left the Dodgers' Cactus League opener Friday. "It couldn't have been too ..."
Dodgers' Russell Martin undergoes MRI exam on sore groin
Comment
March 7
SportingNews.com
 
"Dodgers manager Joe Torre told the team's Web site that catcher Russell Martin had an MRI exam on his sore groin Saturday. Martin, who added about 25 pounds this offseason in hopes of regaining his power stroke, caught five innings of Friday's Cactus League game."
High cost of McCourts' divorce: $19 million in fees
Comment
March 6
Los Angeles Times
 
"Frank and Jamie McCourt's divorce could become one of the costliest splits in California history, with attorneys and accountants commanding as much as $19 million in fees - more than the Dodgers will spend on their starting infield this season. Frank McCourt has estimated his "divorce-related expenses" at $5 million to $10 million, according to court filings. Jamie McCourt has estimated her expenses at $9 million - and asked that her estranged husband be ordered to pay them. Although records of salaries and statistics are omnipresent in baseball, specific information about divorce costs is largely unavailable. The Times consulted with several family law experts, none of whom could recall a ..."
Dodgers shortstop Rafael Furcal a vacuum on defense again
Comment
March 6
Los Angeles Times
 
"A couple of days before the Dodgers' 8-3 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Friday in their Cactus League opener, Rafael Furcal was looking like his old self again. Third base coach Larry Bowa hit grounder after grounder to him, and Furcal swallowed each up. One was hit to Furcal's backhand side, prompting Matt Kemp to shout, "I'm safe on that one!" "No chance!" Furcal shouted back, as he scooped up the ball and made a throw across his body to first base in one fluid motion. Come Friday, nothing had changed. Furcal had three balls hit to him in his three innings on the field; he had three assists. Furcal said that because his surgically repaired back has fully healed, he has been ..."
Reed Johnson gets Dodgers started in 8-3 exhibition win over White Sox
Comment
March 6
Los Angeles Times
 
"AT THE PLATE: Off-season acquisition Reed Johnson drove in the Dodgers' first two runs of the spring, his ground-out in the second inning scoring Casey Blake and his up-the-middle single in the fourth bringing in Blake DeWitt . Manny Ramirez was two for three and DeWitt was one for two with a walk and a run. ON THE MOUND: Vicente Padilla tossed two perfect innings before giving way to fifth-starter candidate Ramon Ortiz , who struck out three over two scoreless innings. Charlie Haeger , another fifth-starter candidate, gave up a run as a result of a passed ball. EXTRA BASES: DeWitt, who is competing to be the starting second baseman, made some nice plays on defense. Doug ..."
New health issue sidelines Jose Reyes: Mets send shortstop to New York for more tests on thyroid
Comment
March 6
New York Daily News
 
"Jose Reyes has bigger concerns than baseball. Reyes plans to fly to New York Saturday, and expects to get additional tests on Monday at the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan, for a suspected thyroid imbalance. The potential thyroid hyperactivity was flagged when results of a blood test Reyes took at the start of camp were analyzed, the shortstop said. Reyes went for a second blood test on Thursday, and local doctors cleared him to resume playing. But as Reyes prepared to go on the field with teammates to stretch before Friday's game against the Marlins, trainer Ray Ramirez stopped the shortstop and informed him that the team's New York doctors wanted to examine him first. GM Omar ..."
Even without an ace, Dodgers' pitching looks strong
Comment
March 5
Los Angeles Times
 
"Chad Billingsley sounded as if he had experienced deja vu. "Didn't we have this conversation last year?" he asked. Well, yes. How the Dodgers didn't have a clear ace. How the rotation lacked experience. How the offense would have to carry them. Billingsley remembered. "We were sitting here last year talking about how our pitching staff was going to be weak," he said. And the Dodgers went on to post the lowest earned-run average in baseball. The renewed concern results largely from the departure of Randy Wolf — their most consistent pitcher last season. The Dodgers declined to offer him arbitration and instead re-signed Vicente Padilla for $5.025 million. So, as was the case last year, the ..."
Matt Kemp is a model citizen for GQ
Comment
March 4
Los Angeles Times
 
"Matt Kemp said he didn't mind the four hours of standing in the sun. He didn't mind being asked to repeat the same action over and over and over, whether it was jumping against a wall, tossing a bat or taking a light swing. He didn't mind the countless walks in and out of the makeshift dressing room in the bullpen in the main stadium at Camelback Ranch. His first venture into modeling, which was for a spread in the May edition of GQ magazine, left the Dodgers' center fielder open to accepting similar opportunities in the future. "Why not?" he asked. "I had fun. They had the music going. It was a cool little crew. The cameraman was supposedly one of the best in the world." That would be ..."
Ex-Dodger Juan Pierre off to great start this spring with White Sox
Comment
March 4
Los Angeles Times
 
"The Dodgers' season had been over less than 48 hours when General Manager Ned Colletti found himself standing in a dark stadium parking lot with Juan Pierre. Three years earlier, Colletti had signed the outfielder to a much-ballyhooed free-agent contract — only to see things go horribly wrong. Within a year, Pierre was on the bench and angry. Yet Colletti, knowing Pierre's value in the clubhouse and on the bench, refused to trade him. And Pierre eventually proved his boss right, stepping into the lineup last season during Manny Ramirez's 50-game drug suspension to bat .318, steal 21 bases and help the Dodgers to a division title. Now it was time to reward him. "I just happened to run into ..."
Dodgers sign Garret Anderson
Comment
March 4
Los Angeles Times
 
"The Dodgers signed Garret Anderson to a minor league contract Wednesday night, adding a hometown candidate to the audition for left-handed pinch-hitter. Anderson, 37, who grew up in the San Fernando Valley and grew into a star outfielder with the Angels, is expected to compete with Brian Giles and Doug Mientkiewicz for one spot on the Dodgers' bench. If he makes the team, Anderson will earn $550,000, with up to $200,000 possible in incentive bonuses. If he does not make the team, he can ask for his release. The Dodgers had considered Anderson earlier this winter, but they rated Reed Johnson as superior defensively — particularly in center field — and signed Johnson to be their fourth ..."
Manny Ramirez will make trip to Taiwan, Dodgers say
Comment
March 3
Los Angeles Times
 
"Manny Ramirez will be part of the Dodgers' split squad that will travel to Taiwan this month. So say the Dodgers. For now. In the news release announcing the 33-man roster for the March 12-14 exhibition series, the Dodgers were careful to include the following line: "Additional players may be added or changed prior to the March 10 departure." James Loney, Ronnie Belliard, Jamey Carroll and Taiwan natives Hong-Chih Kuo and Chin-lung Hu are also on the roster. Ramirez initially volunteered for the trip because of commercial opportunities that would be available to him in Taiwan, but later told club officials he wasn't sure. On Monday, Ramirez submitted a passport and visa application to the ..."
Manny Ramirez on roster for Dodgers' trip to Taiwan
Comment
March 2
Los Angeles Times
 
"Manny Ramirez is among the 33 players the Dodgers will send to Taiwan for a three-game exhibition series next month, the club announced Tuesday morning. James Loney, Ronnie Belliard, Jamey Carroll and Taiwan natives Hong-Chih Kuo and Chin-lung Hu will also be part of the split squad that will make the trip. The team will be led by manager Joe Torre, leaving the squad left behind in Arizona to be managed by hitting coach Don Mattingly. Here's the Dodgers' roster for the Taiwan trip: Pitchers (15): RHP Mario Alvarez, LHP Alberto Bastardo, RHP Robert Boothe, RHP Jesus Castillo, RHP Hyang-Nam Choi, RHP John Ely, RHP Francisco Felix, RHP Charlie Haeger, RHP Kenley Jansen, LHP Hong-Chih Kuo, RHP ..."
Dodgers lefty Hong-Chih Kuo is glad to be back
Comment
March 2
Los Angeles Times
 
"Matt Kemp walked out of the clubhouse, bat in hand and helmet tucked under his armpit. The non-roster players sat quietly in front of their lockers along the back wall. A small circle of reporters stood in the middle of the room making dinner plans. To nearly everyone, this particular morning felt like any other. Except to Hong-Chih Kuo. Simply being in the room to observe the slow morning unfold was fun, the Taiwanese left-hander said. "I think I'm one of the luckiest guys in the world," he said. Lucky because he survived an elbow operation to become one of the premier setup men in baseball. And another elbow operation. And another. And another. Then there was that thing he faced last ..."
Dodgers' Andre Ethier is in no mood to guess
Comment
March 2
Los Angeles Times
 
"The first couple weeks of spring training are to imagine the vast promise of the upcoming season. To talk about goals. To talk about growth. To talk about how this season will be better than last. But not for Dodgers right fielder Andre Ethier. "How do you expect me to answer a question that I don't have the answer to?" Ethier said without a trace of a smile. Well, you've been in this league for a few years. You have experience. "That doesn't mean I have the answers to everything," he said. "If that was the case, just mark me down as a .290, 30 and 100." That was that. But later that day, when workouts ended, Ethier spent several minutes signing autographs for fans. "He's moody, isn't he?" ..."
Koufax tutors pitchers at Dodgers camp
Comment
March 2
MLB.com
 
"Preparing for a Tuesday B game start, Eric Stults went to the bullpen Monday morning to work on his delivery and ran into somebody with a few pointers. Sandy Koufax. Koufax, who flew back with Dodgers manager Joe Torre after their Saturday night conversation for Torre's Safe at Home charity at the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles, spent the morning working with Stults, Chad Billingsley, Josh Lindblom, Scott Elbert, Ramon Troncoso and Jon Link, and spoke to the entire pitching staff in a morning meeting."
Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw spends time with Sandy Koufax
Comment
March 1
Los Angeles Times
 
"Clayton Kershaw beamed as he recalled the events of the previous night, from how he and Sandy Koufax compared the sizes of their hands at the Nokia Theater to his hourlong conversation with the legendary left-hander on the flight back to Arizona. "It was pretty awesome," Kershaw said. "To sit there and talk to him for an hour was unbelievable. I learned more on that one plane trip than I have in a long time." Kershaw was invited by Manager Joe Torre to participate in his on-stage conversation with Koufax in Los Angeles on Saturday night, which was moderated by Times columnist T.J. Simers. The event raised $700,000 for Torre's Safe at Home Foundation. Kershaw was still shaking his head as ..."
Sandy Koufax still has great stuff
Comment
February 28
Los Angeles Times
 
"It started with a verbal kick. T.J. Simers asked Sandy Koufax where he'd been, said Koufax could have made millions off his name, hammered home the point. "Where did you go for 45 years?" Simers asked Koufax. "Went home," Koufax said. "This is going to be a short program," Simers said. It wasn't. Dodgers Manager Joe Torre and Koufax, the little-seen but much-remembered Dodgers' Hall of Fame pitcher, shared a stage Saturday night at the Nokia Theatre LA Live. Los Angeles Times Page 2 columnist Simers hosted an evening of story-sharing that lasted 90 minutes and was done to benefit Torre's Safe at Home charity dedicated helping abused children. Mostly Koufax answered questions that were ..."