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February 28, 2007

Dodgers: Broadcast info

Today's Grapefruit League opener against Atlanta at Walt Disney World can be heard on KFWB 980-AM beginning at 10 a.m. Charley Steiner and Rick Monday will call the action. Left-hander Randy Wolf, an offseason free-agent signee, will start for the Dodgers. Right-hander Kyle Davies will start for the Braves.

Posted by Tony Jackson at 01:39 PM | Comments (0)

Dodgers: Elbert impresses

Scott Elbert, the Dodgers' top left-handed pitching prospect and the club's first-round pick (17th overall) in the 2004 amateur draft, pitched the final half-inning of today's intrasquad. While he retired only two of the four batters he faced and walked the other two (the game ended after Delwyn Young drew the second walk because Elbert had reached his pitch limit), Elbert used every pitch in his repertoire, getting Andy La Roche to ground into a force at second and striking out non-roster catcher A.J. Ellis. Elbert, who will begin the season either at Double-A Jacksonville or at Triple-A Las Vegas, probably will be among the first cuts from big-league camp. But with four split squads in the next two weeks. he'll get several more chances to impress general manager Ned Colletti, manager Grady Little and pitching coach Rick Honeycutt before that happens. "I'm just trying to stay within myself, even though that's hard to do in my situation,'' Elbert said. "Your intensity starts to pick up as the game goes on."

Posted by Tony Jackson at 12:42 PM | Comments (0)

Dodgers: Veteran move

After getting hit on the right wrist by rookie Mike Megrew during today's intrasquad game, veteran left fielder Luis Gonzalez made it a point at the end of the inning to pat Megrew on the back and let him know that it was all right. "Obviously, the kid wasn't trying to do that,'' Gonzalez said. "He felt bad, but that's just part of the game. He was trying to come in. He threw the first pitch away and wanted to come in with a fastball on the next. It was no big deal to me."

Posted by Tony Jackson at 11:04 AM | Comments (0)

Angels: Matthews speaks

Gary Matthews Jr. addressed the media this morning about being implicated in an investigation into internet pharmacies that are accused of distributing human growth hormone (HGH).

Matthews: I just want to tell you guys that I’m not really in a position to answer any specific questions on yesterday’s story. I do want to say that I do expect it to resolve itself here in the near future, pretty soon. I’ve got my representative looking for more information on it and to find out stuff and until we find out more stuff, I just can’t comment on it. I ask that you guys respect my position on it. I don’t want to be a distraction to my team and there’s things that they’re trying to do on the field to be ready for the coming season. I do want to tell you guys that at the appropriate time I will address the matter.

Posted by Doug Padilla at 10:39 AM | Comments (1)

Angels: Kids will be kids

Down on Field 2 this morning, Hector Carrasco and Kelvim Escobar were clowining around. While standing in foul territory halfway up the right-field line Carrasco reached back and threw a ball toward center field. The ball rattled off the aluminum batter's eye that towers over the center field fence. The feat earned a chuckle from Escobar.

Realizing somebody just aired their arm out so early in the morning - and so early in camp for that matter - Scioscia yelled in the direction of the players assembled along the right-field line to stop. He didn't realize it was Carrasco but the right-hander had the guiltiest look on his face.

Posted by Doug Padilla at 10:32 AM | Comments (1)

Dodgers: Dodgers 8, Dodgers 3

Luis Gonzalez was hit by a pitch from Mike Megrew, and a collective gasp went up in the handful of spectators that constituted the crowd for today's intrasquad game, but everything turned out fine. Derek Lowe was ineffective, but it was his first outing of the spring, so nobody really cared. And Fernando Tatis and Larry Bigbie, two veteran, non-roster outfielders who are likely to begin the season at Triple-A Las Vegas, each homered, Tatis off Megrew and Bigbie off D.J. Houlton. Oh, and Marlon Anderson had a setback in his surgically repaired right elbow during batting practice. He'll be held back for the next few days, but it isn't expected to be an issue for long.

Posted by Tony Jackson at 10:16 AM | Comments (0)

Dodgers: Uniform hijinks

Dodgers third-base prospect Andy La Roche would be Andy Garcia if his father, former major-league pitcher Dave La Roche, hadn't decided as a child to take his stepfather's last name. Well, as the team went through its stretching routine an hour before this morning's intrasquad game, La Roche actually wore a jersey with the name Garcia stitched above his familiar No. 28. No doubt a playful prank played by the clubhouse staff, one that couldn't have taken place the last two springs because the Dodgers didn't have names on the backs of their jerseys.

Posted by Tony Jackson at 07:33 AM | Comments (1)

Dodgers: Intrasquad Part II

Oh, one more thing. You'll have to forgive me if, unlike my blogging counterpart Doug Padilla on the Angels yesterday, I don't provide in-game updates on this colossal intrasquad showdown. Doug has the advantage of being at Tempe Diablo Stadium, which actually has a press box. If you have ever been to Holman Stadium, you know it isn't exactly conducive to laptop usage. The so-called press box is actually more of a canopy, a roof held up by four posts with no walls, bringing to mind those blissful, long-ago days of covering prep football in my home state of Arkansas or my adopted home state of Colorado. As for the laptop, it will remain in the relative comfort of the media work room. So while I'm sure you're all on pins and needles wanting to know what's happening in this epic struggle of teammate vs. teammate, I'm afraid you'll have to wait until it's over.

Posted by Tony Jackson at 05:27 AM | Comments (0)

Dodgers: Time for some baseball (sort of)

The Dodgers will play the Dodgers today in the first "game" of the spring for either club. The intrasquad game will last four to five innings, and while actual rules will be followed (not like minor league spring-training games, where guys can get extra at-bats), it's still going to be about as formal as dinner at the nearby Waffle House. Derek Lowe will pitch an inning, and nobody is expected to bat more than once. Asked yesterday who will manage the respective teams, Grady Little said, "I will." Both of them, apparently. That could make things interesting if there is a bench-clearing brawl.

Posted by Tony Jackson at 05:18 AM | Comments (0)

February 27, 2007

Dodgers: A Man and His Dog

Bruce Froemming, who is entering his 37th season as a major-league umpire and will break Bill Klem's all-time record for games umpired when he works his ninth game of 2007, was standing in center field on abandoned Field 2 late this afternoon, the Florida sun setting on him and Blue, his 5-year-old Irish setter. The two were playing go fetch with a baseball -- at least until the sprinklers came on, at which point Blue was too busy drenching himself to chase any balls. Froemming lives in suburban Milwaukee, but moves to his place here in Vero Beach just after Christmas each year to be near his two grown children, who live in Tampa and Fort Lauderdale. Almost half a century after beginning his career in the Midwest League in 1958, Froemming still loves this crazy life. "The easiest part for me is going to the ballpark," he said. "The toughest part, obviously, is the travel, and always being in hotels. But I still have the desire to be the best I can be at what I do, and I enjoy the crew I work with."

Posted by Tony Jackson at 02:58 PM | Comments (0)

Angels: Naopli delivers

The Angels' intrasquad game is winding down with the offensive highlight a two-run home run to straightaway center field by Mike Napoli. The drive, which came on Napoli's first at-bat of the game, came off Dustin Moseley, who had a miserable half-inning of work.

Newcomer Phil Seibel made quick work of his first half inning in an Angels uniform.

Posted by Doug Padilla at 12:02 PM | Comments (0)

Dodgers: More leadoff stuff

In the all-things-are-relative department, among the stories emanating from Scottsdale, Ariz., this spring is that the San Francisco Giants think they have found their first true leadoff man in several years in free-agent signee Dave Roberts. Well, among the stories emanating from Vero Beach, Fla., last spring was that the Dodgers thought they had found their first true leadoff man in several years in free-agent signee Rafael Furcal. The long list of leadoff posers that had led up to the arrival of Furcal included ... yes, Dave Roberts, who was the Dodgers' leadoff man for 2 1/2 seasons (2002-04). The knock on Roberts during his Dodgers days was that his on-base percentage wasn't nearly high enough for a leadoff hitter. In fairness, though, Roberts posted several full-season career highs with San Diego last season, including a .360 OBP, a .293 average and 49 steals.

Posted by Tony Jackson at 11:38 AM | Comments (0)

Angels: Escobar looks good

Kelvim Escobar got out of the bottom of the first in the intrasquad game allowing just a walk to Orlando Cabrera. It was a respectable inning considering Escobar faced Gary Matthews Jr. (broken-bat grounder to second), Cabrera, and Chone Figgins (grounder to third). Cabrera's pinch runner, Hainley Statia, was picked off first by catcher Jose Molina.

Hector Carrasco now pitching for John Lackey.

Posted by Doug Padilla at 11:37 AM | Comments (0)

Angels: Lackey slightly lacking

The opening half inning of the intrasquad game did not go so well for projected Opening Day starter John Lackey. To his credit, he did not get help from Chone Figgins at third base on the opening batter of the game. Maicer Izturis hit a shot that Figgins was unable to field cleanly to his left. The vote in the press box was split with some thinking it was an error and some thinking it was a hit.

Later in the half inning, Robb Quinlan doubled and Casey Kotchman followed with a two-run single to right.

Kelvim Escobar on the mound now in the bottom of the first.

Posted by Doug Padilla at 11:25 AM | Comments (0)

Angels: Intrasquad game lineups

Today's intrasquad game is expected to start around 12:15 p.m. on the stadium field, and by the looks of it the gates will be open to the public, with admission free of charge. If you're in the area (and since we're in Arizona you're probably not) stop on by, although there is no guarantee the gates will be left open. Anyway, after all that uncertainty, here are the starting lineups:

Gary Matthews CF, Orlando Cabrera SS, Chone Figgins 3B, Shea Hillenbrand 1B, Mike Napoli C, Howie Kendrick 2B, Curtis Pride LF, Tommy Murphy RF, Bobby Wilson DH. John Lackey is the starting pitcher.

vs.

Maicer Izturis 2B, Erick Aybar SS, Robb Quinlan 3B, Casey Kotchman 3B, Jose Molina C, Jeff Mathis DH, Reggie Willits CF, Nick Gorneault RF, Nathan Haynes LF. Kelvim Escobar is the starting pitcher.

If the first team does not win in the six-inning game, something is amiss. Game details to come this afternoon.

Posted by Doug Padilla at 10:04 AM | Comments (0)

Dodgers: Generosity multiplied

Gary Kessler, a close friend of Dodgers third-base coach Rich Donnelly from their hometown of Steubenville, Ohio, visited Donnelly at Dodgertown last week. Kessler is a big Boston Red Sox fan and, consequently, a big Nomar Garciaparra fan. After Donnelly introduced the two, Garciaparra gave Kessler an autographed bat. Kessler was so touched by the gesture that he donated $750 in Garciaparra's name to the Salvation Army and another $750, also in Garciaparra's name, to Dodgers first-base coach Mariano Duncan to provide baseball equipment to children in Duncan's native Dominican Republic.

Posted by Tony Jackson at 09:32 AM | Comments (0)

Dodgers: Alleged power outage

For all the handwringing Dodgers GM Ned Colletti did over the winter over his inability to find an additional power hitter, Colletti may find over the long haul that he didn't need one. With the speed the Dodgers will have at the top and the gap-hitting ability they'll have in the middle, they could end up scoring far more runs in the form of five- and six-run rallies than they ever would have with more pop. Those extended innings are tough to manufacture by hitting home runs, which are deadly to the other team but nevertheless clear the bases and allow the opposing pitcher -- assuming he isn't yanked from the game by his manager -- to start fresh. It's tough to do that when one batter after another is shooting balls up the gap and running sprints around the diamond. Just a thought.

Posted by Tony Jackson at 08:05 AM | Comments (1)

Dodgers: No worries

Hours before he was to learn whether he gained entry into the Hall of Fame on this year's veteran's committee ballot, Maury Wills seemed utterly unconcerned this morning, saying he planned to spend the afternoon on a local golf course after the conclusion of today's workout. In fact, he didn't even know what time the announcement was supposed to come down. In the four years I have been covering the Dodgers, I can honestly say that Maury is one of the people I have most enjoyed getting to know. This is a guy who gets it, who is truly grateful for what life has given him, who always wears a smile and a sunny outlook and who always seems to have time for fans and reporters alike. He has been through a lot in life, and he openly talks of the years he spent fighting drug addiction. But regardless of the results of today's Hall vote, this guy has emerged from it all as a winner. And that, more than anything, is why isn't sweating out today's news.

Posted by Tony Jackson at 05:19 AM | Comments (0)

February 26, 2007

Angels: Rivera update

Juan Rivera's initial fears that his career had ended have been subdued and now he optimistically targets June for a return to action. Rivera, who made his first appearance in camp Monday, broke his left tibia running out a ground ball to first base in a Dec. 22 winter ball game in Venezuela. He said he hit a ground ball to first base and tried to beat the pitcher to the bag. Instead of touching the inside if the first-base bag, the pitcher stepped on the outside of the bag and Rivera stepped on his leg. Rivera's leg snapped at the calf, leaving his foot dangling and pointing in the wrong direction.

“I'm 35, 40 percent,” said Rivera, who will spend the next five weeks doing rehabilitation in Arizona. “I was in Miami and I talked to the doctor and he told me I was (healing) fast.”

Posted by Doug Padilla at 01:53 PM | Comments (0)

Dodgers: More conventional approach

The Dodgers' newfangled approach to their morning stretching and conditioning drills will be scrapped after today, something that was part of the plan from the beginning. "Now that we're starting games, we're starting another phase,'' said trainer Stan Conte, who introduced the new program. "The idea was to ... prepare guys to run from first to third without pulling a hamstring. But now things become a little more individualized by position, whether it be starting pitchers, catchers or position players." Conte said the stretching and conditioning routine the team begins using today is basically the one it will use throughout the regular season.

Posted by Tony Jackson at 01:32 PM | Comments (0)

Angels: Seibel the beer guy

Angels pitcher Phil Seibel was in charge of the morning presentation today, telling the team the details of brewing home beer. Seibel picked up the hobby from a Jon Switzer, a pitcher in the Tampa Bay Devil Rays organization, whom Seibel works out with in the offseason.

With a $200 home brew kit, Seibel said he was off and running. Among the kind of beers he has brewed at home are ales, wheat beers, IPAs and stouts. He offered manager Mike Scioscia a sample after the workout but it won't mature for another week so it was a bit flat.

The morning presentation had a number of interesting tidbits including the fact that the law allows for 100 gallons of beer to be produced at home each year for all adults over 21. That means a married couple can be swimming in 200 gallons of beer each year. Remember, these are facts from Seibel's research so don't call me when it's time to see the judge.

More facts: Alabama does not allow the home brewing of beer. Seibel also explained that in the brewing process malts add the flavor while hops add bitterness.

Asked if he ever considered making some moonshine, Seibel laughed and said it had been considered but at this point he hasn't tried it.

Posted by Doug Padilla at 01:14 PM | Comments (0)

Dodgers: Lineup taking shape

Grady Little revealed one more spot in his batting order today, saying catcher Russell Martin is tentatively slated to hit sixth, "but don't hold me to that." That would leave a top six of Rafael Furcal, Juan Pierre, Nomar Garciaparra, Jeff Kent, Luis Gonzalez and Martin. Little says he hasn't yet decided how to slot third baseman Wilson Betemit and right fielder Andre Ethier into the seventh and eighth spots, but he did say he doesn't want speed in the eight hole because there won't be many chances to steal with the pitcher hitting next. That does little to clear up the matter, as neither Betemit nor Ethier is much of a stolen-base threat.

Posted by Tony Jackson at 10:16 AM | Comments (0)

Angels: Rivera arrives in camp

Juan Rivera, who still is on crutches for a broken tibia, made his first appearance in camp Monday morning. Rivera was recently examined in Florida and will be getting an examination by Angels doctors here soon. There is no new timetable on his return, but one could be coming shortly. Rivera declined an interview request this morning but a member of the Angels' PR staff said an interview could happen this afternoon. More updates on Rivera to come.

Posted by Doug Padilla at 09:34 AM | Comments (0)

Angels: Santana puts away crystal ball

Ervin Santana said he will not partake in the prediction game this season. Asked if he has specific goals for the 2007 season, Santana said he did but didn't care for them to be known. Pressed on the subject, all Santana would say is that he plans on improving on his past numbers.

Since his victory total went from 12 to 16 last season, it is likely he has a 20-win season on the brain. His ERA also has inched lower in his first two seasons and something in the high 3.00 range could be a target.

Those numbers would be impressive stuff for a guy in just his third season and who turned just 24 in December. Santana believes that slider he has been working on, the one where he he stays with it all the way to the finish, will be a factor this season since he went away from throwing it for long stretches last season.

Posted by Doug Padilla at 07:00 AM | Comments (0)

Dodgers: Saito held back

Dodgers closer Takashi Saito, who has been on a decelerated program all spring because of a minor right-calf injury, won't pitch in any Grapefruit League games until late next week at the earliest. Manager Grady Little called the decision precautionary. "We don't have a time frame yet for getting him into a game," Little said. "His arm is fine. but we just don't want to put him in a spot where he might have to cover first base and get hurt."

Posted by Tony Jackson at 06:50 AM | Comments (0)

Dodgers: Inclement weather

There is a serious threat of rain today, and a lot of rain in the forecast for the rest of this week. The Dodgers haven't lost a workout to the elements yet this spring, but today stands a good chance of being the first. More importantly, the weather could play havoc with the Grapefruit League schedule, which begins on Thursday for the Dodgers and as soon as today for some teams who like to play pre-Grapefruit games against area college teams. But even a rainout isn't a day off for the players. They still have to work out, including hitting and pitching in the indoor batting cages.

Posted by Tony Jackson at 05:53 AM | Comments (0)

Dodgers: Momentary discord

A mini-controversy finally pierced what had been an uneventful spring for the Dodgers on Sunday, when center fielder Juan Pierre seemed completely taken aback by manager Grady Little's suggestion that he be more selective at the plate than he has been in the past now that he is going to be hitting second behind Rafael Furcal. Little's reasoning was that Pierre could improve his walk total and his less-than-stellar on-base percentage by seeing more pitches. But when told of Little's comments hours later, Pierre seemed confused, although he initially did SEEM to concede -- but only because he didn't want to cause controversy -- that such a conversation had taken place with Little. Anyway, while Little continues to talk up the value of having not one, but two leadoff-type hitters at the top of his lineup, the logic behind the signing of Pierre to a five-year, $44 million contract continues to seem fuzzy. Pierre was brought in to replace Kenny Lofton, a similar-if-much-older player. But Pierre is a career leadoff man, and the Dodgers already had Furcal, who was successful enough in the role last year to post a .369 on-base percentage -- not great, certainly, but far better than Pierre's career mark of .350, which is a big reason why Furcal is still the leadoff guy. Little says he won't ask Pierre to sacrifice (not much, anyway), but his ability to bunt for hits is something Little hopes Pierre will utilize frequently in the two hole.

Posted by Tony Jackson at 05:05 AM | Comments (0)

February 25, 2007

Angels: Peek into starting rotation

John Lackey and Kelvim Escobar each will pitch Tuesday when the Angels conduct an intrasquad game. Hector Carrasco and Dustin Moseley are also among 12 pitchers who will throw in the intrasquad game.

Ervin Santana is in line to start the Cactus League opener Thursday against the Kansas City Royals.

The schedule gives an inside peek at the regular-season rotation, something Scioscia has refused to disclose. If Lackey starts on Opening Day, as expected, it appears as if he will be followed by Escobar and then Santana.

Joe Saunders and Jered Weaver would assume the final two spots of the rotation. With Weaver behind schedule because of biceps tendinitis, it is likely he would take the No. 5 spot in the rotation to give him more recovery time.

Posted by Doug Padilla at 01:13 PM | Comments (0)

Angels: Bengie severs Angels tie

It's official, Bengie Molina has turned his back on his Angels roots. Actually, that's not quite fair. Molina, who is now with the San Francisco Giants, has elected to not discuss the Angels' 2002 World Series victory since it came at the expense of his new team. Makes perfect sense.

"It's not something that should be brought up," Molina told the San Francisco Chronicle in a story about the new World Series champions now in the Bay Area.

Posted by Doug Padilla at 11:23 AM | Comments (0)

Dodgers: Thoughtful fan

An elderly fan approached Andre Ethier as Ethier walked back toward the clubhouse after today's workout. The fan introduced himself as a former high school teammate of Ethier's grandfather, Pierre Ethier, at David Prouty High School in Spencer, Mass., and presented Ethier with a well-preserved, black-and-white 1947 team photo, with Ethier's grandfather leaning on a bat in the lower-right corner. Ethier, whose grandfather died two years ago, was overjoyed the receive the gift. Pierre Ethier played professionally, climbing as high as Triple-A, and won a Texas League batting title in the early 1950s. Andre Ethier won the Texas League batting title with Double-A Midland in 2005.

Posted by Tony Jackson at 10:42 AM | Comments (0)

Dodgers: Kent's first assist of 2007

Manager Grady Little held his morning media briefing the same way he always does, sitting in a golf cart in the rightfield corner of Holman Stadium while several reporters gathered around him. But today, the meeting ran longer than usual, and the players' running routine began while it was still going on. Consequently, those players had to dodge Little's cart and the assembled media mass as they came back into the rightfield line after sprinting into center field and circling back. At one point, Jeff Kent reached through the scrum with a towel and began to dab at Little's face. "You must be sweating from talking so much," Kent said. "Let me towel you off a little."

Posted by Tony Jackson at 07:03 AM | Comments (0)

Dodgers: Autograph bait

It's amazing what some of these autograph seekers will do to improve their chances. I have to give one guy credit. He has his wife, who is very attractive and somewhat voluptuous, stand near the spot where the players come out. Meanwhile, her husband stands in the background and waits for the autographs to come to him. If this guy knows nothing else, he knows ballplayers.

Posted by Tony Jackson at 05:53 AM | Comments (0)

Dodgers: Attracting attention

Not sure exactly what it means, but there has been at least one national writer here almost every day since camp opened, and as of 8:15 this morning there already are two of them here today. While it's not uncommon for those guys to swoop in periodically while working on their season preview stuff. But it's striking just how many of them have been here just in the first 10 days. Seems to suggest that the bar of expectation around this team has been raised considerably. Remember what the Dodgers' image was just a year ago? Remember when Bud Black wouldn't even interview for the manager's job because of the perception that this was a franchise in ruin? Those days are over. The guess here is anything short of a playoff berth will be deemed a colossal failure. Another three-and-out exit from the first round might be deemed that way, too.

Posted by Tony Jackson at 05:08 AM | Comments (0)

February 24, 2007

Dodgers: Evening things out

The vast discrepancy in the batting averages of switch-hitting third baseman Wilson Betemit when he hit left-handed (.281) vs. when he hit right-handed (.189) last season is something manager Grady Little believes will work itself out this year. "I think when he got to us (last July 28) and started playing every day, he got into some bad habits when he hit right-handed," Little said. ``After that, it became a big deal. He started trying too hard, trying to dig himself out. But I look at his history hitting right-handed (.230 for his career), and there is no doubt in my mind that he can hit right-handed now."

Posted by Tony Jackson at 12:24 PM | Comments (0)

Dodgers: Making their own rules

The flexible rules of spring-training games will result in the Dodgers possibly using the designated hitter even against some National League clubs. The Florida Marlins, who will play the Dodgers a handful of times this spring, have requested to use the DH in some games, and Dodgers manager Grady Little seems willing, especially since it isn't that important to get at-bats for pitchers in the first few games. "That's important later on in spring training,'' Little said. "But early on, they don't even pitch enough innings to come to bat anyway. They might only pitch one or two innings."

Posted by Tony Jackson at 10:23 AM | Comments (0)

Angels: Disco Howie Kendrick

Manager Mike Scioscia has done his best over the last couple of years to slap a nickname on Howie Kendrick. He continues to call Kendrick "Truck," which is a nod to Motown. Eddie Kendricks, a former member of the Temptations, broke off for a solo career and his first No. 1 hit was called "Keep on Truckin." According to the Wikipedia website, "Keep on Truckin" is often considered the first song of the disco era.

Eddie Kendricks' original name was Edward James Kendrick, but there is no relation to the Angels' rising young star. And the Angels' Kendrick has no plans to add an "s" to the end of his name.

Posted by Doug Padilla at 09:48 AM | Comments (0)

Dodgers: Convoluted rule change

HOPEFULLY, this won't come into play for the Dodgers this year, but Major League Baseball has a new rule SPECIFICALLY for games that are called because of rain with the game TIED after it has become an official game (five innings, 4 1/2 if the home team is ahead). Beginning this season, those games will not be replayed from the beginning, as they were in the past, but will be picked up at whatever point the last inning was completed, and that will happen immediately BEFORE the two teams meet again in the same ballpark. If the teams have no more games scheduled in that park, it will be made up before the next game scheduled in the other park (i.e., a game between the Dodgers and Giants at AT&T Park might be completed at Dodger Stadium, with the Giants still batting in the bottom half of each inning as if they were the home team). If they have no more games scheduled in either park, it will be made up on an off-day, but in that case the old rule kicks in and the game will be replayed from the beginning. And, as always, any game called because of rain BEFORE it has become an official game will be made up from the beginning. Confused yet?

Posted by Tony Jackson at 07:04 AM | Comments (0)

Dodgers: Baseball's social network

One thing that has always fascinated me about professional baseball is the relationships that are formed. Although there are thousands of players between the majors and minors, the people who stay in it for any length of time seem to cross paths over and over again. This morning, first-year Las Vegas manager Lorenzo Bundy and Dodgers reliever Elmer Dessens had a lengthy conversation in the clubhouse, with Bundy sitting in a chair in front of Dessens' locker for about half an hour. To some, the sight of a Triple-A manager having such a long talk with a veteran major-league middle reliever would seem curious. After all, what would they have to talk about? But Bundy actually spent this past winter managing Hermosillo of the Mexican Winter League, where one of his starting pitchers was ... Elmer Dessens, a Hermosillo native and part-time resident.

Posted by Tony Jackson at 05:49 AM | Comments (0)

Dodgers: Fans arrive early

Routinely, there are a half-dozen autograph seekers already hanging around the Dodgertown batting cages when your faithful correspondent arrives in the morning, usually a little before 8. The crowd will pick up a little in the next hour, and there will be 50 or so waiting on the back fields when the players come out at 9:15. Dodgertown allows fans to get closer to the players than any other spring training facility I know of. As the players get into the workout, the crowd will gradually increase, to the point there might be close to 500 onlookers by the time the workout concludes at noon. When the players leave the field, most of the crowd leaves, too, although a few stragglers (maybe 25-30) walk back over to the main building in hopes of snagging a few more autographs before they leave. As you have read here before, I'm looking forward to the anticipated move to Glendale, Ariz., in 2009, as is just about everyone I have talked to this spring. But the impending demise of Dodgertown (Orioletown just doesn't have the same ring to it, does it?) brings mixed emotions to anyone who has ever been here and experienced just what a special place it is.

Posted by Tony Jackson at 05:12 AM | Comments (1)

February 23, 2007

Dodgers: Splitting headache

A quick check of the Dodgers' Grapefruit League schedule, which kicks off on Thursday against Atlanta, shows a staggering five split-squad dates, including three in a seven-day stretch beginning a week from Sunday. Two of those dates are day-night splits in two different places, and although that doesn't mean much to the players (most will be assigned to one game or the other), it means a mad dash along some Florida freeway (or turnpike) for manager Grady Little and pitching coach Rick Honeycutt (and, of course, the always hardworking beat writers). There also is an overnight trip to Fort Myers, way over on the Gulf Coast, March 5-6. But with a handful of roster spots still up for grabs, Little found a positive in all those extra games. "We're going to play 10 games in one week," he said. "That's a lot of at-bats (and innings pitched) to go around."

Posted by Tony Jackson at 01:13 PM | Comments (1)

Dodgers: First impressions

Dave Collins, who has been in professional baseball for more than 30 years as a player, coach and minor-league manager, will manage the Dodgers' new Inland Empire affiliate in the high Single-A California League this season. Collins, who spent the past four seasons as the first-base coach for the Colorado Rockies, stood just outside Field 1 this morning watching a drill in which several players who arrived early to minor-league camp were used as baserunners while the big-league infielders practiced rundown plays. Collins has been here a week working with those early arrivals, and already has formed a strong opinion about the state of the Dodgers farm system. "The most talent I have ever seen anywhere," he said.

Posted by Tony Jackson at 11:15 AM | Comments (0)

Angels: Wood parts the heavens

Brandon Wood is taking ground balls at third base on the stadium infield and after making a tough grab to his left and turning a double play, the clouds parted and the sun came out for the first time today. Not to be dramatic or anything, but that really happened. Not sure it means anything more than the storm has passed, but the timing was uncanny. It seems Wood already is well versed in the difference between shortstop and third as he is getting his hands well out in front of his body while fielding balls as a third baseman.

Posted by Doug Padilla at 10:34 AM | Comments (0)

Angels: Rain chases team onto field

The Angels got an early start this morning, at least by a half hour, in an attempt to beat an approaching rain storm that was pounding the Mariners and Padres camps in Chandler, Ariz., about 20 minutes to the northwest. By the time the line of rain had reached Tempe, though, the storm clouds had relented, leaving the Angels as dry as those sandwiches they are given for lunch.

Not sure if workouts will end a half early today or they will use the time to subject the catchers to extra foul-popup, or plate-blocking drills. The Angels really push their catchers, which is no surprise since their manager was one.

Posted by Doug Padilla at 09:04 AM | Comments (0)

Dodgers: Random observations

Although I am a big proponent of the move to Arizona (it will be easier on ME, thus it's a good move), the Dodgers will be hardpressed to match the ambience of Dodgertown, especially since they'll be sharing with the Chicago White Sox. Here in golf cart heaven, fans can watch the likes of Tommy Lasorda, Maury Wills, Grady Little and even Dr. Frank Jobe scoot by them on these electrified vehicles that some say should be pictured on the Florida state flag. ... This means absolutely nothing, but Jeff Kent is ALWAYS the last guy out of the clubhouse when the team heads out for its morning workout, usually a good minute or two behind the last guy in front of him. ... Geckos, the tiny lizards popularized in those insurance commercials, are everywhere down here. One Dodgers employee was trying to get a gecko out of his Dodgertown apartment a couple of nights ago, but the thing was so elusive that the guy ended up locking himself out of the apartment (it's a long story) while shirtless, and it still gets cold down here at night. I'm sure the gecko, still inside, was laughing his tail off. This morning, I saw the bloody remains of one (a gecko, not a Dodgers employee) that apparently had been crushed by the wheels of one of the aforementioned golf carts. I wondered what his life story had been, and whether he had an Australian accent like the one in the commercial. ... I'm going to head out now to watch some exciting BP and some even more exciting PFP (pitchers' fielding practice, for the uninitiated). More blog artistry later in the day, I promise.

Posted by Tony Jackson at 07:15 AM | Comments (1)

Dodgers: There are injuries, and then there are injuries

Veteran outfielder Larry Bigbie, who is in camp on a minor-league contract and a long shot to make the club, missed the final four months of last season, and it wasn't because of a torn ligament or a muscle strain. "I had hernia surgery," he said. "When they discovered it, they said I had probably had it for more than a year already without knowing it." This was not a "sports hernia," an injury that only began to be diagnosed in recent years. This was an actual, honest-to-goodness hernia. What followed was a grueling rehabilitation process that has put Bigbie's career, in his own words, "back at square one." Bigbie said he won't have a true gauge on where he is in his recovery until after he plays several Grapefruit League games. He has an out clause in his contract, but he also says that if he feels at the end of camp that he needs more work to get back to where he was before the hernia, he has no problem with going to Triple-A Las Vegas to begin the season.

Posted by Tony Jackson at 05:53 AM | Comments (0)

Dodgers: It's true, Vero Beach now has a Starbucks

Stopped there on the way in this morning, picked up a venti regular coffee with an espresso shot, a muffin and a local paper. Welcome to the 21st century -- or at least the 20th. Now if they could just get a Jamba Juice and, I don't know, maybe some CELL PHONE RECEPTION. Looking forward to a happenin' Friday night in Vero after another day of Dodgers coverage. With apologies to the artist formerly known as Prince, tonight we're going to party like it's 1959.

Posted by Tony Jackson at 05:00 AM | Comments (0)

February 22, 2007

Angels: Figgins to go even bigger

After complying with the Angels' request to try a larger glove, Chone Figgins said the team has requested he try an even bigger size. Figgins said he was using an 11½-inch glove last season and changed to an 11¾-inch glove this off-season. He is now awaiting for a shipment of gloves over 12 inches in length.

“They said just try it and you never know,” Figgins said.

Posted by Doug Padilla at 07:43 PM | Comments (0)

Angels: So far so good for Wood

Brandon Wood took about 45 ground balls at third base and doesn't think it will be that tough to adapt after playing shortstop for nearly all of his baseball career.

“The main thing for me is to make sure my timing is on,'' Wood said. “I won't be able to track the ball all the way into the hitter. At shortstop you get an idea of the location and you can kind of break to the area you think it might go. At third you have to take your eye off the pitcher, pick a zone and let it come to you.”

Wood gathered plenty of advice, saying he has received tips in recent days from Chone Figgins, Dallas McPherson, infield coach Alfredo Griffin, Double-A coach Keith Johnson, minor-league field coordinator Bruce Hines, Cedar Rapids manager Bobby Magallanes.

Wood will work with Robb Quinlan on Friday to glean the proper technique for fielding bunts.

Posted by Doug Padilla at 05:11 PM | Comments (0)

Dodgers: Houlton update

This morning's scene in which five pitching coaches surrounded right-hander D.J. Houlton as he practiced his pitching motion in the bullpen was little more than the institution of a mechanical adjustment designed to keep Houlton straighter in his delivery instead of throwing across his body as much as he has been. The reason there were five pitching coaches? Minor league pitching coordinator Marty Reed and Triple-A pitching coach Ken Howell worked with Houlton extensively last season. Dodgers pitching coach Rick Honeycutt and bullpen coach Dan Warthen knew him from last spring, and Houlton said it was Honeycutt who actually identified the mechanical flaw. And Double-A Jacksonville pitching coach Danny Darwin apparently was there just because.

Posted by Tony Jackson at 12:02 PM | Comments (0)

Dodgers: Furcal leads off

Rafael Furcal will begin the season as the Dodgers' leadoff hitter, with Juan Pierre batting second. Manager Grady Little announced the decision minutes ago, saying several factors went into it. Little also said he reserves the right to change if the alignment isn't working, and he wouldn't say how far into the season he would have to get before making such a judgement. The primary rationale seems to be that Little believes this will give the Dodgers two legitimate leadoff hitters in the first inning batting ahead of Nomar Garciaparra, Jeff Kent and Luis Gonzalez. Little said neither Furcal nor Pierre will be asked to approach hitting any differently than he has in the past.

Posted by Tony Jackson at 06:34 AM | Comments (0)

Dodgers: Special attention

Just saw D.J. Houlton (remember him?) working on mechanics on a bullpen mound. Standing around him were five, count 'em five, pitching coaches, including Dodgers pitching coach Rick Honeycutt and bullpen coach Dan Warthen, roving minor-league pitching coach Marty Reed, Triple-A Las Vegas pitching coach Ken Howell and Double-A Jacksonville coach Danny Darwin. Will look into this further as the day goes on.

Posted by Tony Jackson at 05:56 AM | Comments (0)

Dodgers: the future

Ivan DeJesus Jr., the Dodgers' second-round pick in the 2005 draft, was given an opportunity this winter to play second base for the first time in his pro career because that was the only position the Arecibo Lobos of the Puerto Rican Winter League had open for him. DeJesus parlayed that chance into the league's Rookie of the Year award. "He's a quiet kid, but he is willing to learn,'' said Dodgers infielder Ramon Martinez, a close friend and mentor to DeJesus. "A lot of kids his age think they already know everything, but he isn't that way." DeJesus' father, former Chicago Cubs shortstop Ivan DeJesus, was a coach for Caguas this winter. DeJesus said getting to play against his dad's team in the league playoffs was one of the greatest thrills of his life. DeJesus spent last summer with the Dodgers' low Single-A affiliate in Columbus, Ga. Local fans should get the chance to see him in person this season at high-A Inland Empire in the California League.

Posted by Tony Jackson at 05:20 AM | Comments (0)

February 21, 2007

Angels: Lackey ahead of schedule

John Lackey threw his first live batting-practice session of the spring and manager Mike Scioscia was impressed.

“Last year at this time he wasn't as far along as he is now,” said Scioscia, who still declined to name Lackey as his Opening Day starter. “He really feels good and had a great workout.”

Posted by Doug Padilla at 01:33 PM | Comments (0)

Dodgers: Grady's about-face

After saying earlier this week that he already had decided who would bat first and who would bat second between Juan Pierre and Rafael Furcal but that he wouldn't reveal it under he had met with each player, Little said Wednesday he has backed off his original plan and is back to not being sure which way he will go. One possible scenario is that the players will flipflop in Grapefruit League games until Little can judge by watching them play which alignment works best.

Posted by Tony Jackson at 12:32 PM | Comments (0)

Angels: Arte makes a signature change

After a week of walking aorund the spring-training complex in Tempe, there have been very little changes, save for one. There is a new highway billboard stationed just off Interstate 10 in the parking lot behind the right-field fence. The way the billboard was installed there won't even be a loss of one parking space.

But seeing its presence automatically makes you wonder about owner Arte Moreno's involvement. Sure enough, Moreno admitted that the billboard is his. While he sold his outdoor advertising company for the fortune that allowed him to purchase the Angels, Moreno said he still has some billboards here and there that he uses to make a quick buck.

Maybe the added revenue stream will help the Angels get the exact guy they're looking for on the free-agent market next offseason.

Posted by Doug Padilla at 11:05 AM | Comments (0)

Dodgers: Brazoban takes a small step forward

Reliever Yhency Brazoban, the only Dodgers player who reported to camp nursing an injury after undergoing Tommy John surgery last April, threw off a mound for the first time in his rehabilitation assignment Wednesday. The session was short, but apparently it went well. I didn't personally witness it, and neither did Grady Little. But Ned Colletti told me this morning that club officials are viewing Brazoban's return, whenever it comes, as "a significant midseason acquisition," to fill a seventh- or eighth-inning role.

Posted by Tony Jackson at 10:23 AM | Comments (0)

Angels: Wood to third base

The Angels confirmed that Brandon Wood will indeed get time at third base this spring, which is what just about everybody predicted would happen with the slugging high-level prospect. The experiment will begin in two days when the Angels start to work on fielding fundamentals. Manager Mike Scioscia did say that Wood's days at shortstop have not ended just that they are making Wood more versatile to give him an additional path to the major leagues. Scioscia also claimed the move was not done because Erick Aybar also projects as a Triple-A shortstop this season.

Posted by Doug Padilla at 09:17 AM | Comments (0)

Dodgers: Kent arrives

As predicted here yesterday, Jeff Kent didn't bite on the retirement question. Said he hasn't decided yet, but he did say that after the injury-plagued season he endured last year that he actually starting looking forward to the season as far back as December. For Kent, who admittedly is not a fan of the game and who treasures his offseasons in Austin, Texas, with his family and his motorcycle dealerships, that qualifies as a major development. Doesn't look like the issue will be settled for months.

Posted by Tony Jackson at 05:45 AM | Comments (0)

Dodgers: Full swing

It APPEARS that Jeff Kent did arrive yesterday, as some boxes that had been stacked up in front of his locker no longer are there. But there are no signs he has arrived yet today, so it might be after the workout before we get to talk to him and ask him the big retirement question. Anyhoo, the first full-squad workout will begin after a closed-door clubhouse meeting that apparently will involve just about everybody in the organization. I just saw several minor-league coaches and some front-office people walking into the clubhouse. More as the day goes on.

Posted by Tony Jackson at 04:55 AM | Comments (0)

February 20, 2007

Angels: McPherson in camp

Dallas McPherson, a Phoenix-area resident, was on hand in the morning as the Angels gathered as a full team for the first time this spring. Four weeks removed from back surgery to fuse two lower vertebra, McPherson said he is walking two miles a day and about to increase that to three miles.

He still is eight weeks away from any strenuous rehab but remains encouraged for a full recovery. He is following the recovery plans of Dallas Cowboys tight end Anthony Fasano, among others, but still does not know if he will be able to get into any games this season.

“If it happens to (cost) this whole season, so be it; I don’t have any options,” McPherson said. “I’ll try to get back as soon as I can. Luckily in this day and age, there’s a lot of ball after the season. There’s instructional league, there’s fall ball, there’s winter ball, there’s a lot of things I can do to get ready for spring training and try to get my timing back and make it a little better progression.”

Posted by Doug Padilla at 02:30 PM | Comments (0)

Dodgers: Historical perspective

Two players with indelible places in the game's history reported to camp today, both of them new to the Dodgers. Luis Gonzalez, whose walkoff bloop single off Mariano Rivera won the 2001 World Series for Arizona, signed a one-year, $7.3 million free-agent deal in December, will be the club's everyday left fielder and No. 5 hitter. Fernando Tatis, who while with St. Louis on April 23, 1999, became the only player to hit two grand slams in an inning when he did against Chan Ho Park at Dodger Stadium, is in a different situation. He came on a minor-league contract with very little chance to make the club out of camp, and for the front office he represents little more than an insurance policy. Tatis, who missed all of 2004 and 2005 before returning to the game last season with Baltimore but mostly with the Orioles' Triple-A Ottawa affiliate, said there is no out clause in his contract. That means if he is at Triple-A Las Vegas and the Dodgers don't have a spot for him, he has to stay there even if another club is willing to give him a spot in the majors.

Posted by Tony Jackson at 02:16 PM | Comments (1)

Dodgers: Lasorda still teaching

A decade after his retirement and a few months shy of his 80th birthday, Dodgers Hall of Famer Tommy Lasorda hasn't outgrown his managerial instincts. During a routine PFP drill this morning, a handful of pitchers took turns coming off the mound to cover the bag on grounders to first. Scout Mark Weidemaier was hitting grounders to first base, where bench coach Dave Jauss and minor league pitching coordinator Marty Reed would take turns scooping them up and flipping them to each pitcher as he came over. At one point, Lasorda pulled his golf cart close to the foul side of the line and watched. He soon began to chide some of the pitchers for running on a straight line from the mound to the bag. The correct route, Lasorda said, was to take a boomerang-shaped route, running from the mound to a spot near the first-base line, then abruptly turning left and running toward the bag almost parallel to the line. This, Lasorda explained, allows a pitcher to get both the bag and the first baseman into a single field of vision directly in front of himself.

Posted by Tony Jackson at 12:56 PM | Comments (0)

Angels: Gang's all here

Everybody looked to be present in the locker room early this morning in preparation for the first full-squad workout. Manager Mike Scioscia later confirmed that indeed, everybody is here. The morning team meeting lasted a little longer than usual as the players were no doubt inspired. The media is not allowed in the locker room during the meeting so we can only speculate that the main thing said was to simply forget about last season and the poor start.

Owner Arte Moreno was in the meeting and I can see him now walking on the main stadium field. The new outfield of Garret Anderson, Gary Matthews Jr. and Vladimir Guerrero were just together in left field running a drill where they have to track down a ball at the wall.

Spring training is definitely in full swing.

Posted by Doug Padilla at 10:35 AM | Comments (0)

Angels: First spring injury

Projected Triple-A catcher Brent Del Chiaro suffered the first injury of the spring, breaking the bone at the tip of his right middle finger. The injury happened Monday during plate-blocking drills when a ball took a awkward hop and hit the tip of his bare hand. Del Chiaro is expected to miss at least eight weeks.

Posted by Doug Padilla at 10:14 AM | Comments (0)

Dodgers: All but one

Everyone who is due in camp has now reported except for ... Jeff Kent. One witty member of the press corps surmised Kent must be having visa problems back in Texas. But he isn't officially late for several more hours, so we'll keep our eyes peeled for his pending arrival.

Posted by Tony Jackson at 10:09 AM | Comments (0)

Dodgers: It's official

Derek Lowe WILL be the Dodgers' opening-day starter for the third consecutive season on April 2 at Milwaukee. But Grady Little still hasn't determined how Jason Schmidt, Randy Wolf and Brad Penny will fit into the second, third and fourth spots. Grady said a lot of that will be determined by matchups with the opposing clubs. The Dodgers will play two more games with the Brewers, be off on April 5, then play a three-game series in San Francisco beginning on April 6.

Posted by Tony Jackson at 06:28 AM | Comments (0)

Dodgers: reporting day

Still no sign of the frontline position guys, other than Juan Pierre, Andre Ethier and Wilson Betemit, all of whom reported days ago. Nomar Garciaparra, Jeff Kent, Rafael Furcal and Luis Gonzalez are expected sometime today. One of the first question to Kent, obviously, will be whether this is his final season. I'm guessing no better than 50/50 odds on whether we get a definitive answer either way.

Posted by Tony Jackson at 05:18 AM | Comments (0)

February 19, 2007

Angels: Mota gets an extension

The Angels gave a contract extension to Jose Mota that keeps him through 2010 as the team's Spanish language color commentator. Click below to see the Angels' news release.

JOSE MOTA SIGNS MULTI-YEAR CONTRACT EXTENSION
TO CONTINUE AS ANGELS SPANISH RADIO COLOR ANALYST

ANAHEIM, CA - The Angels Monday agreed to terms on a multi-year contract
extension through 2010 with Jose Mota to remain as the club's Spanish radio
color analyst. The announcement was made by Club President Dennis Kuhl.

"Jose has been a valued asset to our broadcast team and organization for several
seasons," said Kuhl. "We are pleased to keep him with the Angels' family for
years to come."

Mota enters his sixth season as the Angels' Spanish radio color analyst on AM
830 and will also handle play-by-play duties on Fox Sports Net West/KCOP with
Mark Gubicza. He will continue to participate in his role on pre and post-game
shows on FSN West. Mota served as the third broadcaster during Angels telecasts
on KCAL 9 for two seasons (2004-05) and last season, he joined FSN West as a
member of the pre and post-game shows.

Mota also handles the color analyst duties for selected national broadcasts
during Saturday's Game of the Week on FOX, and was part of Fox's ALCS broadcast
team in 2006. Mota has co-hosted World Series specials for ESPN Radio in
addition to the Angels' hot stove program "Angels Clubhouse" during the
off-season.

A former Major League baseball player with the San Diego Padres (1991) and
Kansas City Royals (1995), Mota was originally drafted by the Chicago White Sox
in 1985. He was a two-time Collegiate All-American second baseman at Cal State
Fullerton. He was the starting second baseman for the 1984 National Champion
Titans.

A native of Santo Domingo, DR Mota is the son of longtime Dodger Manny Mota. He
and his family make their home in Glendora, CA.

Posted by Doug Padilla at 05:24 PM | Comments (0)

Dodgers: Less hostility

In general, no one cares how media-friendly a team is except the media. But it also speaks to the overall character and professionalism of a club, and there is little doubt that this year's Dodgers clubhouse isn't nearly as hostile toward the fourth estate as last year's. Gone is surly Kenny Lofton, replaced by congenial Juan Pierre. The often-grumpy and elusive Brad Penny, who incidentally lost considerable weight over the winter, appears to be enjoying himself more. And Jeff Kent isn't here yet. As for the new guys, Randy Wolf seems to smile perpetually, Jason Schmidt has been not only accommodating but refreshingly candid, and Luis Gonzalez (who has yet to arrive) is known as one of the most solid, standup guys in the league. Even now, six weeks before the first pitch of the 2007 season is thrown, Ned Colletti deserves kudos for stocking this club with good guys -- even if that was little more than a fortunate by-product of his effort to build a better baseball team.

Posted by Tony Jackson at 01:24 PM | Comments (0)

Angels: Kotchman in the swing

Casey Kotchman has been looking strong in early batting practice sessions. He continues to hit impressive home runs and put on a show while taking batting practice with the catchers as a light rain fell Monday. Kotchman is allowed to take part in drills because he is coming off an injury (actually an illness) last season. Otherwise, only pithcers and catchers can take part in active drills. The rest of the club will get into action Tuesday morning in the first full-squad workout.

Posted by Doug Padilla at 12:56 PM | Comments (0)

Angels: Bits and pieces from Day 5 of camp

Players will take the field at 10 a.m. Tuesday for the first full-squad workout of the spring. All healthy players are expected to be in attendance. ... Francisco Rodriguez (sore right hamstring) had a flat-ground throwing session Monday and went through PFP (pitchers' fielding practice) drills. He is a few days away from his first bullpen session of the spring. ... Jim Abbott arrived in camp Monday and will be a guest instructor. ... Tim Salmon will report to camp Tuesday to begin a two-week stint as guest instructor. He will work for one week in major-league camp and another on the minor-league side. ... Former longtime Mt. San Antonio College baseball coach Art Mazmanian also will be in camp Tuesday as a guest instructor. Mazmanian, father of Angels director of communications Nancy Mazmanian, retired seven years ago after 35 years at Mt. SAC.

Posted by Doug Padilla at 12:49 PM | Comments (0)

Dodgers: The next step

Dodgers manager Grady Little said today that the humiliation of last year's three-game Division Series sweep at the hands of the New York Mets is a strong motivating factor this spring to the players who went through it. "(It's evident in ) the way all of them talked throughout the winter and the way they prepared themselves throughout the winter and the way we see them coming to camp and doing their work," Little said. "They know they're on a ballclub that made a lot of strides last year, but they know they're on a ballclub that can be better."

Posted by Tony Jackson at 12:15 PM | Comments (0)

Dodgers: Seven to go

Infielder Ramon Martinez and non-roster outfielders Larry Bigbie and Choo Freeman arrived in camp one day early on Monday, leaving just seven players who have yet to report. They include first baseman Nomar Garciaparra, second baseman Jeff Kent, shortstop Rafael Furcal, left fielder Luis Gonzalez, infielders Marlon Anderson and Olmedo Saenz and non-roster invitees Damian Jackson and Fernando Tatis. Position players are scheduled to report and undergo physicals today and work out for the first time on Wednesday.

Posted by Tony Jackson at 10:17 AM | Comments (0)

Dodgers -- Tomko fine

Brett Tomko threw on the side as scheduled today and showed no ill effects from the right ankle sprain he suffered walking in the front yard of the home he is staying in here late on Saturday afternoon. Tomko is one of seven candidates to fill the vacant fifth spot in the starting rotation, and considering he is entering the final season of a two-year, $8.7 million contract is probably the favorite.

Posted by Tony Jackson at 09:34 AM | Comments (0)

Angels: rain is falling

A light rain is falling in Tempe right now (the first of the spring) but it isn't enough to suspend drills. Pitchers are still taking part in PFP (pitchers' fielding practice) on two practice fields. Tommy Murphy is the latest position player to report and is playing catch in the outfield at Tempe Diablo Stadium.

Posted by Doug Padilla at 09:31 AM | Comments (0)

Angels: Colon, Rivera update

Not all of the items submitted for today's Angels notebook made it into print (online or in the newspaper). The stray item is an update on injuries to Bartolo Colon and Juan Rivera:

Scioscia does not think the injuries to Colon and Juan Rivera will wind up costing them the season. Colon is rehabbing rotator cuff problems, while Rivera broke his tibia in winter ball.

With Colon, the real question revolves around what type of pitcher he will be when he returns.

“Bart's injury is one that historically heals itself; it will heal,” Scioscia said. “The timeframe of it, I don't know, and how much stuff a pitcher retains after an injury like this will vary. But Bart will be back pitching at some point.”

The Angels still are awaiting an examination on Rivera to get an idea of when he might return. That examination might happen in two weeks. As of now, the likely timetable is to have him back around the All-Star break.

Posted by Doug Padilla at 09:06 AM | Comments (0)

Angels: Behind closed doors

Locker room access is limited this morning as the Angels have their first Major League Baseball-mandated meeting of the spring.

Former umpire Steve Palermo is in camp today as the Angels are kept abreast with rules changes, the first in baseball since 1996.

Among the changes, a position player now will be suspended 10 days for intentionally scuffing a baseball. Games delayed by rain that are tied after five innings no longer will be replayed but will be resumed from the point they are stopped. Players are not allowed to step into a dugout to catch a foul popup but still can reach into a dugout.

In another change that likely has its roots in the 2005 American League Championship Series involving the Angels, a batter can advance to first base after a dropped third strike only if he hasn't left the dirt area around home plate in any direction other than up the first-base line.

Posted by Doug Padilla at 07:17 AM | Comments (0)

Dodgers: Juan Pierre's biggest fan ...

... at least so far, is Maury Wills. Wills, whose primary task during spring training is teaching players the finer points of bunting, said he hasn't had to teach the savvy Pierre much. But Wills would like to see Pierre, who likely will hit leadoff for the Dodgers, bunt for more base hits. Pierre had 16 bunt singles for the Cubs last year. Wills says with Pierre's speed, he could have 20-25, something that in theory would have a domino effect and lead to several more runs a year for the Dodgers.

Posted by Tony Jackson at 06:46 AM | Comments (0)

February 18, 2007

Dodgers -- Saito is fine

Closer Takashi Saito put his mildly strained right calf to the test by throwing his first bullpen of the spring on Sunday, and he felt fine afterward. He is scheduled to throw another one on Tuesday, and Saito said there was little reason to think he won't be able to. Saito still isn't allowed to participate in running drills, and it isn't clear how long it will be before he can.

Posted by Tony Jackson at 01:45 PM | Comments (0)

Angels: Defense in the spotlight

It comes as no surprise that the Angels will make defense a priority this spring, much in the same way the Detroit Tigers will focus on their PFP (pitchers' fielding practice) drills after their World Series blunders.

The Angels were the worst fielding team in the American League last season, committing 124 errors for a .979 fielding percentage. The fielding miscues led to 80 unearned runs after the Angels led the league in that category in 2005 with just 45 unearned runs.

The most notable change will be the larger glove used by Chone Figgins as he tries to overcome fielding issues at third base. Figgins had 16 errors last season, 10 of which came in 34 games (280 1/3 innings) at third.

“I'm very comfortable with the system and with what (fielding coach Alfredo Griffin) does with the infielders,'' manager Mike Scioscia said. “We've got some work to do because we're going to have different chemistry on the infield with rookie (Howie) Kendrick at second, Figgy at third and (Casey Kotchman), Kendry (Morales), (Robb) Quinlan or (Shea) Hillenbrand at first.”

Even though defense will be a priority, there are no plans to add additional drills.

“There's nothing more we can to pound these guys with it,” Scioscia said. “Obviously we need to do things better on the defensive side. The solution comes in different forms and hopefully this year it will be with the addition of (Gary) Matthews (Jr.), with Figgy getting comfortable at third base and stability at first base.”

A return to the type of defense the Angels played in 2005 just might be the difference in advancing to the postseason.

“Defense certainly had an impact,” Scioscia said. “The number of unearned runs we gave up was off the charts. But if we had played erratic defense (and) hit anywhere near where we should have the first month and a half, it could have been a different outcome.”

Posted by Doug Padilla at 01:32 PM | Comments (0)

Dodgers -- Tomko makes a change

Brett Tomko has overhauled his mechanics in an attempt to hide the ball better. The result is a shorter delivery and a new attitude that the vacant fifth spot in the starting rotation is his for the taking if he has a strong spring. Tomko didn't address the issue of what he will do if he doesn't get that spot.

Posted by Tony Jackson at 10:12 AM | Comments (0)

Dodgers -- opening day starter

All indications are Derek Lowe will be the Dodgers' opening-day starter for the third consecutive season on April 2 at Milwaukee, although Grady Little hasn't announced it yet. There is a slight possibility that Little could go with Jason Schmidt instead, which would mean Lowe would pitch Game 2 on April 3 and thus be lined up to pitch the home opener on April 9. If Lowe pitches the actual opener, Schmidt likely would pitch the home opener. More on this in tomorrow's paper.

Posted by Tony Jackson at 09:53 AM | Comments (0)

Dodgers: Another (cold) day, another catcher

Not sure what the Dodgers are going to do with veteran Kelly Stinnett, but they have signed him to a minor-league contract and invited him to camp. There is one rumor that they wanted a guy with extensive big-league experience to help Triple-A pitching coach Ken Howell develop the club's pitching prospects at Las Vegas this season and that neither Sandy Martinez nor Ken Huckaby had enough big-league experience to fill that need. I expect to have access to Grady and/or Ned later today to get a more definitive answer. And, it's cold here again, only supposed to get up to 62 today. Also cloudy and rainy.

Posted by Tony Jackson at 05:46 AM | Comments (0)

February 17, 2007

Angels: Molina not angry

Jose Molina insists he holds no grudges for missing out on a $25,000 bonus when he was benched for most of the final week last season. Molina needed just a handful of plate appearances to reach 250 and activate the bonus. He did not play in the final five games.
“I don't even think about that anymore,” he said. “That's already in the past. It doesn't matter if I get the bonus or anything like that. I will come to spring training ready to go and ready to do my job. That's in the past. I don't care anymore and don't even bring it up any more.”
Molina still earned a $100,000 games-played bonus from last season that will be paid this year. His $1.35 million salary was raised to $1.45 million.

Posted by Doug Padilla at 09:24 PM | Comments (0)

Dodgers -- more on the new daily routine

New trainer Stan Conte said the reason conditioning work was moved to the mornings -- as opposed to the longstanding tradition of doing it after the daily workout -- was to give it more intensity, which he in turn hopes will help players avoid injuries as the season progresses. "At the end of the day, after the players have done all their baseball work and done a lot of standing around ... everybody kind of wants to end the day. But our belief is that how you practice is how you play. Maybe some of the injuries could be reduced if some intensity is added during the offseason and spring training."

Posted by Tony Jackson at 01:17 PM | Comments (0)

Dodgers -- first workout done

Half the pitchers threw side sessions. Grady Little said he was impressed with some of the prospects -- mentioning specifically Mike Megrew, Zach Hammes and Jonathan Meloan -- that he hadn't seen before. "These guys, I'm not real familiar with,'' Little said. ``But they were a pleasure to see. It was fun to watch them for the first time because they were exciting. You can tell they have a chance to get somebody out."

Posted by Tony Jackson at 10:14 AM | Comments (0)

Dodgers -- strange sight

Just saw Bill Mueller, now a special assistant in the front office, standing alone in the rightfield corner watching the pitchers and catchers in their first workout of the spring. Mueller had been to spring training as a player every year since he was drafted by San Francisco in 1993, right up until a knee injury forced him into early retirement last winter. Although he is loving his new career, Mueller admitted to feeling slightly forlorn over being on the sidelines for the first time. Understandable, to say the least.

Posted by Tony Jackson at 07:55 AM | Comments (0)

Dodgers -- first workout

The Dodgers' pitchers and catchers will take the field for the first time this spring in about 45 minutes. Meanwhile, it's the coldest day I have ever experienced in Florida (although there are a lot of people a few hundred miles north of here who I'm sure would laugh at that statement). The clubhouse is buzzing with activity this morning, the first sign that spring training is in full swing even though most of the position guys won't arrive for a few more days. More blogs, as always, throughout the day, so stay tuned.

Posted by Tony Jackson at 05:33 AM | Comments (0)

February 16, 2007

Angels: Lackey waits for official word

Even though he looks like the Angels' obvious Opening Day starter, manager Mike Scioscia refused to grant John Lackey that honor after just two days of workouts.

“John's certainly has made strides in the last three or four years of being a lead dog guy in a rotation,” Scioscia said. “You're excited about all five but to start to label guys one, two, three doesn't do anything for what we're looking for.
“You need five good guys and if one guy is going to take the lead and be the guy that has the consistency and goes out there and stops losing streaks or carries winning streaks forward, that's beautiful. John has that in him and he's done it at time.”
Along with being the staff ace, Lackey figures to find himself in a leadership role.
“We lost some definite leaders in the clubhouse this off-season,” said Lackey, who has some experience in the role as his high school quarterback and football captain. “Guys will definitely have to step up and it might be my turn to be one of those guys.”

Posted by Doug Padilla at 08:26 PM | Comments (0)

Angels: Weaver injury update

Jered Weaver downplayed any serious problems Friday, but the facts certainly look alarming.
Not only did Weaver say he will not throw from a mound for another two weeks, but he admitted to having an MRI in the days before spring training. The MRI on his right biceps came back negative for any serious problems. Weaver also said the biceps tendonitis that affected him last season is something he likely will deal with the rest of his career.

Despite it all, Weaver tried to be reassuring.
“No, it's not as huge as you guys think,” he said.
Weaver's pitching mechanics are blamed for the tendonitis, but those mechanics are also what has led to the 24-year old's success throughout his pitching career.
“(They are) a little different mechanics – long,” said Weaver, who played long toss from 120 feet Friday. “And it's a little different arm slot than everybody else. I kind of fly open and it’s a little bit more stress on my shoulder. It just comes along with the mechanics and the deception, I guess.”
When the tendonitis bothers him, Weaver said he feels soreness in the front of his right arm along the muscle where it attaches to the shoulder.
“The way I throw, it’s obviously going to be issues,” Weaver said. “Ive had issues with it ever since high school, ever since I was little. Its just something that I’ve got to deal with and work it out. The MRI came back negative so it’s just a matter of working it out.”
Manager Mike Scioscia was not about to commit to Weaver's two-week timetable.
“I don’t think it’s anything that’s going to be extended to where he’s going to miss any appreciable time of the season,” Scioscia said. “I think we’re going to see where it is when he gets on the mound and it should happen shortly. If it takes two weeks, it takes two weeks, but I don’t think it’s going to be that long yet.”

Posted by Doug Padilla at 02:18 PM | Comments (0)

Day 2 recap

Greg Miller did show up in the afternoon, making for perfect attendance on mandatory reporting day for pitchers and catchers. General manager Ned Colletti, manager Grady Little and the front-office and coaching staffs met for several hours in the afternoon. All in all, it was an uneventful day, the calm before the six-week storm of daily workouts begin today. There was one rather sad scene. Perched against a table in the middle of the clubhouse were two boxes full of freshly delivered bats for infielder Oscar Robles, who was released last week, apparently after his bats already had been ordered. Robles, one of the most personable, likeable guys on the club the past two seasons, was never really in the Colletti-Little regime's plans because he can only play three positions, while fellow utilityman Ramon Martinez can play several. Robles, a light-hitting middle infielder who nevertheless was known for consistently seeing lots of pitches and having prolonged, professional at-bats, will be missed, especially by the media.

Posted by Tony Jackson at 01:23 PM | Comments (0)

staying consistent

While manager Grady Little plans to try Rafael Furcal and Juan Pierre in the leadoff spot in spring training, he will settle on one or the other during the season. Little said today that he WON'T switch them during the season based on who is pitching for the other team. "I don't think that will be a regular occurrence, because there is a lot to be said for consistency," Little said. "The only reason we will switch somebody is if it isn't working. We showed last year that is something isn't working after a while, we're not afraid to switch it."

Posted by Tony Jackson at 11:53 AM | Comments (1)

the gang's all here

On the mandatory reporting day for pitchers and catchers, all but one had reported well before noon. The exception was left-hander Greg Miller, who still hasn't officially set foot on the complex at 2 p.m., but he is accounted for. His travel here was delayed by winter weather in the Midwest, but he has landed in Florida and is en route. So, everyone either made it or will make it well in advance of tonight's reporting deadline. The Dodgers can only hope they get similar smooth sailing when the rest of the club reports on Tuesday.

Posted by Tony Jackson at 10:58 AM | Comments (0)

saito hurt

But not badly. The incumbent Dodgers closer was jogging in Japan on Jan. 15 when he tweaked his right calf. He rested it, then tried jogging again on Feb. 10, only to tweak it again. The second time, he chose to inform Dodgers medical personnel. Saito will be free to throw side sessions, but he won't do any activities involving running for at least a couple of weeks. Still, he is expected to be ready for the season.

Posted by Tony Jackson at 08:39 AM | Comments (0)

brrrr

Good morning. On reporting day, Dodgers pitchers and catchers were greeted with un-Florida-like weather. High expected to be about 62 today, with overnight lows in the upper 30s, which doesn't bode well for tomorrow's first workout of the spring, especially since there also have been intermittent showers for the past 24 hours. More blog stuff -- including, hopefully, some actually baseball-related news -- throughout the day.

Posted by Tony Jackson at 05:12 AM | Comments (0)

February 15, 2007

Angels: Weaver held back on Day 1

Although not expected to be serious, the first red alert of Angels camp has gone out.

Jered Weaver did not throw from a mound on the first day of workouts for pitchers and catchers Thursday and the day of his first bullpen session remains in question.

Weaver, who dealt with a bout of biceps tendonitis last season that delayed his first start of the second half, came into camp behind schedule. After throwing a combined 200 innings between the minor and major leagues last season, Weaver notified the Angels in the winter that his shoulder needed a break.

Weaver didn't begin throwing until recently, leaving him unable to extend himself in the early days of camp.

“He's feeling good and getting there but there is no need for him to be on the mound right now,” manager Mike Scioscia said. “We'll see where he is and hopefully get him on the mound shortly.”

It could be that Weaver's holdout year of 2004 has finally caught up with him. He pitched just 76 competitive innings at two minor-league levels in 2005. Then came 77 innings at Triple-A Salt Lake last year and 123 with the Angels.

Weaver isn't too concerned about the setback and isn't lacking for confidence heading into his first full season in the major leagues.

“My confidence is definitely a little higher coming into spring training knowing what to expect and knowing the guys in here,” Weaver said Thursday. “I think it's good for me knowing that. But at the same time, there is always somebody trying to take your job too.

“I know I'm still (young) and things like that so I'm still going to battle my ass of this spring training and do whatever I did last spring training and take it into this one.”

Posted by Doug Padilla at 01:55 PM | Comments (0)

Day 1 recap

This was the easy day, when I rolled in around 11:30 a.m. Tomorrow, the official reporting day for pitchers and catchers, things kick into high gear. I'll get here at 8 and work all day, just like the rest of the world, with the goal of getting done by 5. Ned Colletti and his staff are due to arrive in the next couple of hours. Grady Little already is here, having made the eight-hour drive from his North Carolina home yesterday, but he had left the complex before I arrived today. The players I have seen so far are Jason Schmidt, Randy Wolf, Takashi Saito, Jonathan Broxton, Joe Beimel, D.J. Houlton, Matt Kemp, Wilson Valdez and Chin-lung Hu.

Posted by Tony Jackson at 01:54 PM | Comments (0)

first meal

Just had my first lunch of the spring at Sonny's, a bbq chain found mostly here in the Deep South. For any Dodgers fans headed this way sometime this spring, I highly recommend it. It's the kind of place where the servers call you "Honey," and the food is outstanding (in a less-than-healthy way). They have four different sauces (the mild is for total lightweights), but the meal is just a prelude to the banana pudding, which is on another level (crumbled vanilla wafers, whipped cream, etc.) Not being a rib man myself, I recommend the pulled pork or the beef brisket. I'm going to take a brief break from blogging now to actually write something for the paper. Laters.

Posted by Tony Jackson at 11:53 AM | Comments (0)

Angels: Taskmaster Percival

If his work with a Riverside County Little League team is any indication, new Angels roving pitching instructor Troy Percival is going to be demanding. Percival is in camp to provide instruction for the first week but will return home to tend to the Little League team he manages before returning to Angels camp later in the month.

John Lackey and former Angel Adam Kennedy went to see Percival's Little League team play recently and Lackey said his former teammate had no problem barking orders. Lackey also said it was a finely-tuned group of kids that routed thier opponent when he was in attendance.

It will be interesting to see if Percival uses the same tactics when dealing with Angels minor-league pitchers.

Posted by Doug Padilla at 11:35 AM | Comments (0)

special request

Although lockers in the clubhouse are assigned based on location -- rookies and non-roster invitees at one end of the room, veteran position players in one corner, pitchers in the other -- shortstop Rafael Furcal requested in a recent telephone call to a clubhouse attendant to be assigned a locker "with the kids." A fringe benefit is that he gets the one right next to the entryway to the showers and lavatories, but the clubhouse staff insists that Furcal's motives are pure. Veteran Kenny Lofton, now with Texas, had that locker last spring.

Posted by Tony Jackson at 10:37 AM | Comments (0)

first impressions

One of the first things to catch my eye in the clubhouse were the new, metallic-trimmed batting practice jerseys. I'm told, by clubhouse manager Mitch Poole, that these are league-wide. The Dodgers' version has a Dodger-blue body with a metallic silver stripe down each side, the Dodgers logo on the chest in metallic silver and the names and numbers on the back trimmed in metallic silver. Poole says they'll be worn for all Grapefruit League road games and about half the home games, with the regular-season white home jersey worn in the other half. "We didn't even bring the grays down here," Poole said. Poole also promised that "We're going to pull a fast one for St. Patrick's Day," although he didn't elaborate beyond that.

Posted by Tony Jackson at 10:07 AM | Comments (0)

tee it up

Just walked into Dodgertown for the first time this spring. It's chilly and going to get even moreso by the weekend, but it's good to be here anyway. I'll be blogging much more often during camp (several times daily), so stay tuned.

Posted by Tony Jackson at 09:00 AM | Comments (0)

February 14, 2007

Angels: Jeter sighting at Tempe Diablo

Yes, that was Derek Jeter at Tempe Diablo Stadium two days this week and he wasn't alone. Jeter spent some quality time with Angels John Lackey, Garret Anderson and Shea Hillenbrand, to name a few, even staying until the early-morning hours on Monday into Tuesday.

While that might be plenty to get the rumor mill flying out of control, Jeter was actually in the Angels' spring ballpark on Monday and Tuesday to film a Gatorade commercial. All that is known is that while Jeter was the subject of the commercial, the Angels were the opponent. Some of the Angels players were on hand, in uniform, to add realism. Look for the commercial to air soon.

Posted by Doug Padilla at 08:45 PM | Comments (0)

Angels: Figgins looking at OF time

Juan Rivera's broken leg in winter ball means Chone Figgins will continue to be on call for a number of positions, even though he is being aimed at the starting third base job.

Manager Mike Scioscia said Wednesday that Figgins is being looked at as the probable fourth outfielder to go along with his third-base duties. Tommy Murphy and Reggie Willits also are vying for the backup outfielder job.

If Figgins is needed to give an outfielder a day off or for more permanent outfield duty in case of an injury, Robb Quinlan, Maicer Izturis and even Shea Hillenbrand will get a chance to play third base.

Posted by Doug Padilla at 04:09 PM | Comments (0)

February 10, 2007

Dodgers 1, Beimel 0

The Dodgers have won their arbitration case against reliever Joe Beimel, leaving the left-hander with a $912,500 salary for this season instead of the $1.25 million he was seeking. The hearing took place Friday in Phoenix, and the decision was announced about noon today. Beimel still gets a raise of $487,500. More details in Sunday's paper.

Posted by Tony Jackson at 12:45 PM | Comments (0)

Angels: Matthews makes Angels No. 1

The Chicago Tribune's Phil Rogers, a good friend of this blog, submitted a piece for ESPN.com ranking the Angels' outfield as the best in the business. While most comments about Matthews' signing have focused on the thought that the Angels might have overpayed for his services (five years, $50 million), Rogers supplies a different view.

Posted by Doug Padilla at 11:09 AM | Comments (0)

February 08, 2007

Angels: Players in town this weekend

Angels FanFest this weekend will draw a large number of Angels players to the event in the Angel Stadium parking lot. Those scheduled to appear:

Phil Seibel, Darren Oliver, John Lackey, Scot Shields, Justin Speier, Howie Kendrick, Robb Quinlan, Reggie Willits, Mike Napoli, Hector Carrasco, Ervin Santana, Joe Saunders, Jered Weaver, Gary Matthews Jr., Garret Anderson, Chone Figgins, Shea Hillenbrand, Casey Kotchman and Kendry Morales.

Remember, attendance is just $5 (6 and under are free) but autograph sessions will cost an additional $5. Parking is free. The event takes place Saturday and Sunday.

Posted by Doug Padilla at 11:31 AM | Comments (0)

February 07, 2007

Angels: Tickets to go on sale

The Angels ticket office has been saying it for some time now but the team made it official today, sending out a news release to say that individual game tickets will go on sale Saturday, March 3 at 9 a.m.

Tickets will be available at the Angel Stadium main ticket office, all TicketMaster outlets, by phone at (714) 663-9000 or on-line at www.angelsbaseball.com.

Listed below are the single game price breakdowns for those locations with tickets still available (all tickets are subject to availability on a per game basis):

2007 Seat Category 2007 Single Game Price
Dugout MVP $60.00 - Sold Out
Field Hall of Fame $55.00 - Sold Out
Field MVP $50.00 - Sold Out
Field All-Star $35.00 - Sold Out
Field Box $29.00
Terrace MVP $45.00 - Sold Out
Terrace MVP Wheelchair $45.00
Terrace All-Star $31.00 - Sold Out
Terrace All-Star Wheelchair $31.00
Terrace Box $26.00
Terrace Box Wheelchair/Semi-Ambulatory $16.00
Lower View MVP $26.00 - Sold Out
Lower View All-Star $18.00 - Sold Out
Lower View Box $15.00
View MVP $16.00
View $12.00
Right Field Pavilion MVP $15.00 - Sold Out
Right Field Pavilion $12.00
Right Field Pavilion Wheelchair $12.00
Left Field Pavilion, Adult $9.00
Left Field Wheelchair/Semi-Ambulatory $9.00
Left Field Pavilion, Child $5.00
Premium Seating
Diamond MVP $125.00 - Sold Out
Diamond Hall of Fame $110.00 - Sold Out
Diamond Club $110.00 - Sold Out
Diamond Club Wheelchair $110.00 - Limited Availability
Club MVP $60.00 - Sold Out
Club All-Star $50.00 - Sold Out
Club Loge $34.00 - Limited Availability

Posted by Doug Padilla at 04:25 PM | Comments (0)

Angels: Weaver on-line chat

Now is the time to get in your questions for an espn.com on-line chat with Jered Weaver. Do not submit the questions here, of course, but go to the area of espn.com that is set up for the chat, which will take place today (Wednesday 2/7) at 12:30 p.m. Pacific time.

Posted by Doug Padilla at 09:38 AM | Comments (0)

February 06, 2007

Angels: No way on JuanGon

No shock that the Angels have denied interest in former two-time MVP Juan Gonzalez .

Here is a rule of thumb to go by when the Angels are rumored to be interested in a player on the downside of a once productive career. General manager Bill Stoneman continually says he is not interested in reviving the club's habit from the 1970s and 80s of signing a big name that no longer is producing like he once was. (The Angels' 1982 acquisition of Reggie Jackson is the prime example.)

Stoneman's strategy is the reason why the team did not pursue Mike Piazza, Frank Thomas or Jim Thome last offseason. Turns out that any of those guys could have helped.

Posted by Doug Padilla at 01:17 PM | Comments (0)

February 03, 2007

Angels: Matthews praise slights Angels

Sports Illustrated's Jon Heyman ranked the personalities who benefited the most this winter and at No. 7 was the Angels new center fielder Gary Matthews Jr.

It's not new to say the Angels might have overpayed for Matthews at five years and $50 million. It makes you wonder how Matthews will react in the upcoming season. Will he be able to forget about the money and continue to improve like he did last season or will he press in an attempt to prove himself?

It all makes Matthews the story of the season. Not exactly the way to reduce pressure. And to say Matthews' agent Scott Leventhal "took advantage" of Matthews' 2006 season, like Heyman did, isn't so flattering to the Angels since it is implied they were taken advantage of. But again, Heyman isn't the only one to have floated that premise.

Posted by Doug Padilla at 10:19 PM | Comments (0)

February 01, 2007

Angels: Changes are coming

There. A title like that should do the trick to get some attention around here.

By changes, we don't mean with the Angels roster. That should be obvious. What we're talking about here are changes to this blog, for lack of a better term. Plans are in the works to change this from an Angels/Dodgers area to just having Angels news exclusively. Dodgers news will get its own area. This should happen soon.

As for the content, there are changes in the works there too. The major idea floating around is that some of the items from the notebook that appear in the morning paper will be presented here. That means that some Angels news items will be available the day they happen instead of the following morning.

This is where you, the reader, come into play. Judging by the lack of comments in this area it seems as if nobody is reading. But internal research says otherwise and people are stopping by to take a look without announcing themselves.

This is a plea for people to make some suggestions. Anybody have an idea for a name to the Angels blog? Will the plan to release notebook items early be appreciated by anybody? Are there other ideas that those thirsting for Angels news would like to see? With spring training just two weeks away the plan is to use some of these suggestions very soon.

Short of releasing the phone numbers for Angels players, no suggestion is too foolish. We'd like to hear from you. Please make your comments below.

Posted by Doug Padilla at 04:48 PM | Comments (8)