Today is the day when it all become real. Today is the official beginning of Spring Training for the Dodgers. All pitcher's and catcher's are scheduled to report to Camleback Ranch. Coincidentally, we also got our first look at the Dodgers 2018 yearbook. Check it out above. Per Rowan Kavner at Dodger Insider:
A special cover story details how the Dodgers came to be in Los Angeles, the team’s impact on the city and the magical moments throughout the past 60 years of LA Dodger baseball, complete with photos, infographics and quotes from some of the unforgettable legends of the past six decades.Below are more links to check out:
- This Day in Dodgers History: In 1968 the Dodgers completed a rare trade with the Giants. In fact, it would be 17 years before another trade is consummated between the two clubs. They shipped Ron Hunt and Nate Oliver to San Francisco for catcher Tom Haller and a minor leaguer. Haller would play four seasons in LA; slashing .276/.344/.393/.737. He would also garner MVP consideration his two first seasons in Blue -- coming in 22nd in '68 and 29th in '69.
- Happy Birthday, Wayne LeMaster, Gilly Campbell, Todd Williams, Ernie Rudolph, Eddie Pye & Nathan Eovaldi!
- Chase is coming back! Per Jon Heyman on twitter.
sources: Dodgers are indeed bringing back chase utley. great for clubhouse, team— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) February 13, 2018
Alanna Rizzo basically confirms it, via her twitter:
There isn’t a name plate on a locker, but Chase Utley’s gloves & cleats are in a locker next to @coreyseager_5’s locker. #DodgersST— Alanna Rizzo (@alannarizzo) February 13, 2018
- BTW, Jon Heyman also tells us that the Dodgers will check out Lincecum on Thursday, via his twitter:
source: dodgers will attend tim lincecum's showcase on thursday. (yes, giants will be there, too)— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) February 13, 2018
- On another note, reports are coming in noting that several position players have also reported early to Camelback Ranch - they don't have to report til Sunday. They are Andrew Toles, Chris Taylor, Cody Bellinger, Yasiel Puig, Justin Turner, Kike Hernandez, Joc Pederson, Logan Forsythe, Matt Kemp, Rob Segedin and Chase Utley.
- Matt Kemp ain't fat now, via a tweet from David Vassegh:
Harold Reynolds said this morning on @MLBNetwork Matt Kemp has lost 41 LBS this off season on his way to losing 50 LBS. #HotStove— David Vassegh (@THEREAL_DV) February 13, 2018
- I think he'll be an able adversary. Via Karl Buscheck at 95.7TheGame; "McCutchen wants to ‘stick it to’ the Dodgers every time."
“Somebody I want to stick it to every time and I get fired up [to play] is the Dodgers,” McCutchen said, as a “Beat LA” chant broke out.“I love giving it to them,” McCutchen added, as the chant grew louder.
- Bert Lehman at Sports Collectors Daily gives us an early peek at two autographed Shohei Ohtani cards that can found in packs of 2018 Donruss. See them below. This set will come out on March 7th.
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