The Rise and Fall of Dodgertown

Thanks to Rody Johnson, an author and Vero Beach resident whom I have gotten to know well over the past five springs here, for stopping by today to personally deliver to me a copy of his latest book, The Rise and Fall of Dodgertown: 60 Years of Baseball in Vero Beach. I can't wait to crack it open, and the timing of its release couldn't be better. There is a fantastic, panoramic view of Holman Stadium on the cover, the Dodgers playing the Indians on a perfect spring day, and there are some great black and white photos inside, as well. As excited as I am to leave this place in five weeks, I am sad, too. Had a long talk with Tommy Lasorda this afternoon, as I walked back from getting something out of my car and he was leaving on his golf cart, and one of the things we talked about was the fact there will never, ever be another spring training complex like this one, with this level of charm and intimacy. Of course, there will never be another airplane like the DC-3, either, and there will never be another car like the Edsel. All good things must come to an end, and they usually come to an end when they're not so good anymore. I'm out after a very long day. See you tomorrow.