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About Jon
Thank You For Not ...

1) using profanity or any euphemisms for profanity
2) personally attacking other commenters
3) baiting other commenters
4) arguing for the sake of arguing
5) discussing politics
6) using hyperbole when something less will suffice
7) using sarcasm in a way that can be misinterpreted negatively
8) making the same point over and over again
9) typing "no-hitter" or "perfect game" to describe either in progress
10) being annoyed by the existence of this list
11) commenting under the obvious influence
12) claiming your opinion isn't allowed when it's just being disagreed with

Hitch in the Dodgers' Spring Training Getalong
2008-02-21 22:50
by Jon Weisman

It's probably just a late-inning slap on Glendale, Arizona's behind, but Tony Jackson of the Daily News writes that the Dodgers move of their Spring Training camp "still isn't a certainty."

The statement came in response to complaints earlier in the day by a prominent Dodgers official that Glendale was slow in providing the club with the necessary documentation - most notably the aforementioned "scope of work," an official construction document showing all components of the planned facility - to ensure the club's specific desires for the facility will be met in full.

"There has been a lack of communication with regards to the guaranteed maximum price," said Craig Callan, the Dodgers vice president for spring training and minor-league facilities. "We look forward to receiving clarification from them, especially regarding the things that were in our original conceptual program versus the things we are actually getting.

"The clock is ticking." ...

Callan's main point of concern with Glendale centers on the possibility that the facility won't meet expectations of the two clubs. Callan said Dodgers officials already have compromised on several details, including allowing the reduction of fixed-seating capacity in the main stadium from 12,000 to 10,000, the reduction in size of the entire facility from 151 acres to 141 and the elimination of a dugout club behind home plate.

Comments (90)
Show/Hide Comments 1-50
2008-02-21 23:17:45
1.   Andrew Shimmin
I wonder what the "prominent Dodger official" thought he was doing, bitching to Tony Jackson about, what, some contractor in Arizona? That seems like a low percentage move. And the kind of thing that might end up with the owners' box having a permanent, peculiar smell that nobody can figure out how to fix.
2008-02-21 23:18:25
2.   trainwreck
I hate PR speak.
2008-02-21 23:23:38
3.   Andrew Shimmin
Oh, it's not even the contractor. It's the city government that's slow with paperwork? Terrific. Do they think Tony Jackson is going to spearhead a letter writing campaign to get Glendale moving? I don't see the leverage here; it just makes the Dodgers look incompetent at the one thing McCourt is supposed to be good at.
2008-02-21 23:28:24
4.   trainwreck
They were so adamant about leaving before they were even sure what they were getting. It just shows pure incompetence.

Or what Andrew Shimmin said.

2008-02-21 23:32:34
5.   Greg Brock
If the Glendale thing falls through, there's a pretty big park next to my house they can use. I have a few baseballs and stuff, too.
2008-02-22 00:05:13
6.   Bob Timmermann
I think Catalina could work as a spring training spot. It worked out well for the Cubs for so many years.
2008-02-22 01:00:25
7.   trainwreck
The Dodgers should come to Santa Barbara or Walnut Creek. That would be convenient.
2008-02-22 01:17:58
8.   berkowit28
7 Well, maybe. It rained all day, and was fairly cold too, in SB today. Not baseball weather.
2008-02-22 01:33:06
9.   MC Safety
Wilfredo Diaz is not a happy camper.
2008-02-22 01:36:45
10.   Eric Enders
6 With a 4,000 population, and mainlanders in for a two-hour roundtrip boat ride and no motor transportation once they got there? Catalina would work for a team trying to avoid people and distractions, like the Cubs of old, but spring training is a business now and needs actual people around.

That said, it would be pretty sweet. I'd go. I've never been to Catalina. And my grandparents met each other there in 1939.

2008-02-22 02:05:24
11.   LAT
A Dugout Club at a spring training facility? Are you kidding me? I'm sure that somewhere there is a dollar that Frank hasn't squeezed but I can't find it.
2008-02-22 02:16:15
12.   MC Safety
10 Buccaneer's Day is a one in a lifetime experience. I hear it's madness.
2008-02-22 02:16:53
13.   Eric Enders
He hasn't had the groundskeeper mow a Farmer John logo into the outfield grass.

Yet.

2008-02-22 02:19:12
14.   CanuckDodger
9 -- Care to elaborate?
2008-02-22 02:20:58
15.   Eric Enders
Bad times in the Hoosier State. From CBS Sportsline:

"Greenspan ... called a meeting with the entire team in an attempt to 'prepare' them for Friday's official announcement that Sampson would either be suspended or terminated in time for the Hoosiers' weekend game at Northwestern. But before Greenspan finished his speech, the sources said an unidentified player stood up and insisted 'if Sampson ain't coaching, we ain't playing' and that Greenspan responded with what he thought was a rhetorical question.

'Greenspan asked if he should just cancel the whole season,' one source said. 'And the player told him "We don't care what you do. But if Sampson ain't coaching, we ain't playing." And then they just walked out.'

An Indiana television station shot video of the IU players leaving the meeting."

2008-02-22 02:25:24
16.   MC Safety
14 It's probably easier for him to get a Powerade (or whatever he was getting at the store) in Glendale, as opposed to Vero Beach where he just got robbed.
2008-02-22 02:28:48
17.   MC Safety
15 Myles Brand is not a happy camper.
2008-02-22 03:12:29
18.   Eric Enders
Brand is actually not Indiana's president anymore; he's the president of the NCAA. He's the guy who gets to drop the hammer on his former school in April or May.

Indiana's new president is Michael McRobbie, who looks like John Quincy Adams but talks like Paul Hogan.

2008-02-22 03:17:27
19.   MC Safety
18 I'd call it a Mickey Mouse operation, but that would be an insult to Mickey Mouse.
2008-02-22 06:10:46
20.   Gen3Blue
What a mess!
2008-02-22 06:23:25
21.   old dodger fan
If they have not both signed off on the "scope of work" they don't have an agreeement. I wonder how long it will take from agreement until completion. Is Vero booked for next year?
2008-02-22 06:44:43
22.   Gen3Blue
The D's are supposed to decide by something like July ist, but they still have the option to stay.
2008-02-22 06:45:52
23.   Bob Timmermann
If the IU players won't play, then Northwestern will avoid going winless in the Big 10.
2008-02-22 06:52:29
24.   old dodger fan
Do you think Mark Few from Gonzaga would go to IU if offered?
2008-02-22 06:54:47
25.   Bob Timmermann
10
Eric is missing out on the charm of Avalon. Don't forget that once the players got to Catalina, there really wouldn't be much for them to do, except get in trouble.

But DUIs would drop sharply.

2008-02-22 06:58:02
26.   old dodger fan
25 I was at Catalina about 20 years ago and the first thing I saw when I got off the boat was a sign from the town government that said, "Use a Sony, go to jial" and there was picture of an X'ed out boom box below it.

I don't think the good folks of Catalina would have much patience with a MLB team.

2008-02-22 07:01:47
27.   Bob Timmermann
26
But Avalon has a casino!
2008-02-22 07:06:16
28.   Marty
The main reason I'd like to go to Catalina is to see all the Catalina tile. But then, I'm a collector.
2008-02-22 07:06:51
29.   old dodger fan
Unlike me they did spell "jail" correctly.

If I recall "casino" might be a bit misleading. Wasn't it an auditorium? I haven't been on the island for at least 15 years so I am sure much has changed.

It is beautiful.

2008-02-22 07:11:09
30.   Jon Weisman
25 - Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew tried to take advantage of the soothing Catalina experience last night. But it didn't go so well.
2008-02-22 07:12:04
31.   Bob Timmermann
Catalina has a very difficult miniature golf course.
2008-02-22 07:16:46
32.   Chris H
There are plenty of golf carts in Catalina so Tommy would be happy.
2008-02-22 07:31:15
33.   old dodger fan
From "6-4-2" regarding the lease:

"Glendale, AZ has been slow to provide the "scope of work" document that outlines the exact facilities that will be built. If they continue using Dodgertown, they will be locked into their old lease that has them playing in Vero Beach through 2021, and they could pay a $575,000 fine."

2008-02-22 07:51:37
34.   GobiasIndustries
26
X'ed out boom box

That is too funny! My how the times have changed. It makes me wonder if anyone on the island was wearing parachute pants that day you were there.

2008-02-22 08:05:16
35.   old dodger fan
If Charley Finley was still alive he would be 90 today.
2008-02-22 08:09:38
36.   Bob Timmermann
35
And MC Hammer would have Billy Beane's job.
2008-02-22 08:19:45
37.   delias man
Notes in the LA Times this morning says Anaheim to likely get All Stars in 2010. Do the Dodgers just never even apply to host the game?
2008-02-22 08:24:39
38.   Bob Timmermann
37
If the McCourts planned to tear down the stadium, the All-Star Game would be at Dodger Stadium very quickly. See "Stadium, Yankee: 2008"
2008-02-22 08:25:39
39.   Hythloday
37 - Dodger Stadium isn't a very good place for hosting the game. It's not very scenic. There isn't much to do in LA. It doesn't have much history to it. I mean really what claim do the Dodgers have to hosting an All-Star Game. We don't even have a Rally Monkey or a Rally Lemur for that matter.
2008-02-22 08:27:29
40.   old dodger fan
39 But there is a rumor that we have a minotaur.
2008-02-22 08:42:08
41.   delias man
39 Not to argue, but we have more history than all these stadiums that are hosting it than were built yesterday.

But I can see the point of no atmosphere around the stadium.

2008-02-22 08:43:28
42.   cargill06
41 i could be wrong but i sensed some sarcasim in 39
2008-02-22 08:54:05
43.   Bob Timmermann
Seriously though, MLB prefers shiny new stadiums and/or places that have a lot of space around them to set up a baseball theme park of sorts.

That doesn't work too well at Dodger Stadium.

2008-02-22 08:54:13
44.   Daniel Zappala
Off topic, like so much of Dodger Thoughts: I was served brussel sprouts in a restaurant recently. From my point of view, that's about the worst side dish you can offer someone, and I made my dislike clear to the restaurant by sending them an email the next day. Their response -- they rotated them off the menu and then got a lot of complaints from people who wanted them back.

Are they pulling my leg, or are there actually people who like brussel sprouts?

2008-02-22 08:55:54
45.   Bob Timmermann
44
Daniel and I may not agree on peaches, but we do agree on Brussels sprouts.

My brother loves them and serves them every Thanksgiving.

I politely decline.

2008-02-22 08:55:55
46.   Daniel Zappala
43 So an All-Star game in "historic" Yankee Stadium, Fenway Park, or Wrigley field, all in a major U.S. city, would be unpopular and not draw many visitors? I think they've got their thinking wrong.
2008-02-22 08:56:51
47.   bhsportsguy
Teams That Have Never Hosted an All-Star Game
Florida Marlins
Tampa Bay Rays
Arizona Diamondbacks

Last Time a Franchise Hosted an All-Star Game

New York Mets, 1964
St. Louis Cardinals, 1966 (2009)
Kansas City Royals, 1973
New York Yankees, 1977 (2008)
Los Angeles Dodgers, 1980
Washington Nationals, 1982 (in Montreal) (the last All-Star Game held in Washington, DC was in 1969)
Minnesota Twins, 1985
Oakland Athletics, 1987
Cincinnati Reds, 1988
Anaheim Angels, 1989
Chicago Cubs, 1990
Toronto Blue Jays, 1991
San Diego Padres, 1992
Baltimore Orioles, 1993
Texas Rangers, 1995
Philadelphia Phillies, 1996
Cleveland Indians, 1997
Colorado Rockies, 1998
Boston Red Sox, 1999
Atlanta Braves, 2000
Seattle Mariners, 2001
Milwaukee Brewers, 2002
Chicago White Sox, 2003
Houston Astros, 2004
Detroit Tigers, 2005
Pittsburgh Pirates, 2006
San Francisco Giants, 2007

I'm sure the Mets will host one soon, maybe 2011 in Citi Field.

The Royals will probably have a longer wait than the Dodgers before hosting their next All-Star Game.

2008-02-22 08:56:59
48.   Daniel Zappala
Bob, come to my house for Thanksgiving instead. We'll treat you right, and we can reminisce over our apple corers.
2008-02-22 08:58:56
49.   Daniel Zappala
47 They do seem to be rotating them through franchises and not re-using the same ones over and over again. So maybe there's some hope.
2008-02-22 08:59:03
50.   ibleedbloo
When I search "Dodgers" on Ebay, the suggestions I get from them for related searches are "Related Searches: lakers, james loney, kirk gibson, yankees, ucla".

I'm supprised to see J.Lo on that list.

Show/Hide Comments 51-100
2008-02-22 09:03:44
51.   ibleedbloo
I received an email from the Dodgers today telling me that my ticket presale day is on Monday. Hopefully they let me but 16 tickets to opening day seeing how I missed out on the Coliseum tickets...but I am not betting on it.
2008-02-22 09:07:01
52.   old dodger fan
Hey. I like brussel sprouts although my daughter hates them. I make her eat them anyway. She says its child abuse.
2008-02-22 09:07:11
53.   Peanuts in My Shoes
51 Scroll to the bottom of the email:
"Opening Day tickets are not available during this pre-onsale."
2008-02-22 09:12:22
54.   ibleedbloo
From the Dodgers Email, "Tickets are subject to availability. You may purchase up to four (4) tickets for Opening Day. There is no ticket limit for all other regular season games."

I won't be getting my 16, but I will score my 4.

2008-02-22 09:18:56
55.   GMac In The 909
54 I got a similar email, but my presale day is Tuesday. What's your promo code/password for the presale?
2008-02-22 09:19:17
56.   old dodger fan
Hopefully the Nationals will get an AS game soon. New stadium opens next month!
2008-02-22 09:20:57
57.   Bluebleeder87
that's insteresting, Dr. Jobe was named special advisor to Frank McCourt....
2008-02-22 09:26:22
58.   Jim Hitchcock
45 I have a definite preference for asparagus. Particularly before I have to give a urine sample.
2008-02-22 09:26:52
59.   bhsportsguy
If anyone is interested in sharing some seats with me for the upcoming season, email me at bhsportsguy@aol.com.

They are in Section 1 (I think) right behind home plate, Infield Reserve, seats 1&2 (on the aisle) I will sell at face or perhaps even a little less if you want to buy more.

If you want to see the dates of the games, go to dodgers.com and under miniplans, go to .500 hitter.

2008-02-22 09:37:17
60.   kinbote
44 I like brussel sprouts. They are best when pan-roasted with garlic, chili flakes, and/or other sundry flavor agents [red peppers, lemon zest, etc.].
2008-02-22 09:37:20
61.   ibleedbloo
55 My password is my account number. I also recieved the tuesday presale with "TOYOTA" as the code. My season ticket presale is monday though.
2008-02-22 09:40:58
62.   Jon Weisman
The Angels defeated Francisco Rodriguez in salary arbitration. The reliever will receive $10 million rather than his request for $12.5 million.

http://tinyurl.com/yuw9eh

2008-02-22 09:41:45
63.   berkowit28
Diamond Leung is dabbling in mild perversity.
2008-02-22 09:45:18
64.   Sushirabbit
I love Brussel Sprouts, though they have to be cooked properly to be any good. I hate soggy broccoli, too. My wife makes me brussel sprout soup which is really, really good.

Back on topic, Derek Carty of THT is becoming my second favorite (DT is 1) read on the internets.

2008-02-22 09:45:23
65.   Jon Weisman
Your long-awaited Lisa Guererro update:

http://www.insidesocal.com/tomhoffarth/archives/2008/02/whatever_happen.html

2008-02-22 10:02:32
66.   Sushirabbit
the bit about Clint Howard was great!
2008-02-22 10:06:54
67.   cargill06
62 if howard only gets 10 where does he get off asking for 12.5???
2008-02-22 10:08:17
68.   cargill06
the dodgers most common line-up last year only happened 9 times all season!
2008-02-22 10:08:18
69.   bhsportsguy
67 Because, Cordero and Rivera made more in their deals during this off-season.
2008-02-22 10:09:12
70.   Eric Stephen
67
Service time plays a big role.

Howard has less than 3 years service time, and was a first-time arb eligible player (a "Super Two" -- meaning he was in the top 17% of service time of <3 players).

K-Rod has 5 years of service time and this is his 3rd arb eligible year.

2008-02-22 10:11:49
71.   cargill06
68 sorry i was looking at batting order which only happened 9 times, not line-up (14)
2008-02-22 10:12:48
72.   Eric Stephen
Today is the final day to get your 2008 Dodger Thoughts / True Blue LA projections in! The deadline is midnight tonight. Here's what I'm looking for:

1) BA/OBP/SLG for the 10 "regulars" on offense
2) ERA/WHIP for the starters and main relievers

Feel free to post in the comments here, or at True Blue LA -- http://tinyurl.com/2ry3m4. I will post the community average results shortly thereafter.

Thanks!

2008-02-22 10:13:32
73.   regfairfield
70 Because of this, Howard getting 10 million was horribly absurd, and completely destroys arbitration in the future.
2008-02-22 10:13:49
74.   cargill06
72 will you award a pat on the back to the winner at the end of the year?
2008-02-22 10:14:18
75.   regfairfield
72 Not to try to bribe you, but you can be on the front page of True Blue LA if you post them there.
2008-02-22 10:15:51
76.   cargill06
73 explain to me how that is absurd? it seems fair for a guy who has a 1.000+ OPS the last 2 years, compared to what other people who are in that territory are making.
2008-02-22 10:16:14
77.   kinbote
70 That's exactly what makes the Howard ruling such a landmark. If he's making $10m now with THREE potential arbitration years left, what will he be making in his last year of arbitration? $20m+?

Martin, Bills, Broxton, Ethier: get your wallets ready for some real money fairly soon.

2008-02-22 10:16:33
78.   cargill06
75 well you just did, do you know if you have mine from a few weeks back?
2008-02-22 10:19:04
79.   Peanuts in My Shoes
54 Further proof that the Dodgers hate me. Actually, my email is for Tuesday as well. For Dodgers on Deck subscribers.
2008-02-22 10:19:32
80.   regfairfield
76 Because Miguel Cabrera, who is superior to Ryan Howard in almost every way, got only 7.4 million last year, and that was the previous record. If someone that is a worse player can shatter the previous record by 33% just one year later, arbitration can spiral out of control. It's not unthinkable for Martin to ask for six or seven million next year now.
2008-02-22 10:19:45
81.   old dodger fan
If Estaban Loaiza is worth $7 million then Ryan Howard is worth way more than $10 million.
2008-02-22 10:20:07
82.   Eric Stephen
75
I'm easy! I'll post them in both spots.

74
The purpose isn't for individual projections to "win", but rather get a community projection for the Dodgers to see how they stack up with the real projection systems (PECOTA, Zips, CHONE, etc).

2008-02-22 10:20:28
83.   kinbote
76 The ruling is going to radically change the salary structure of 3-to-6 year players. It's pretty much been accepted that young productive players have to pay their dues [i.e. make well under-market prices for their services] until they reach free agency. Now, they can get absurdly rich BEFORE free agency. I bet Matt Holliday is wishing he hadn't signed his contract. A year 6 player with his numbers can now ask for [and reasonally expect] $20m.
2008-02-22 10:21:27
84.   cargill06
80 miggy has never had a 1.000 ops in a season, howard averaged that the last 2. and i'd have to believe that howard is better defensively than miggy but i don't know for sure.
2008-02-22 10:21:54
85.   Jon Weisman
New post up top.
2008-02-22 10:22:24
86.   regfairfield
81 Not comparable, Loaiza is a free agent, Howard is tied to the team for three more years. It costs almost twice as much to get a win out of a free agent than it does out of arbitration. Granted, that doesn't really make up the difference between Loaiza and Howard.
2008-02-22 10:23:06
87.   Eric Stephen
81
Loaiza got his contract as a free agent. Howard has 4 more seasons to get to that point. That's just how the system works. Clubs have cost control -- or at least cost certainty -- during the first 6 years of a player's career. As the arb amounts get closer to free market value, that will greatly impede small revenue clubs who can only keep their homegrown stars for 3-4 years instead of 6.
2008-02-22 10:31:07
88.   old dodger fan
87 Do they explain all this to the arbitrators or is it just "understood"? I don't know a lot about the business end of baseball but it sounds like colusion.
2008-02-22 13:56:39
89.   PHilldodger
80 The problem (as I understand it) is that the Phillies made an offer on the "low side" at $7M, less than what Cabrera got. The arbiter has to choose either the team's or the player's offer. The arbiter can't choose in between. Had the Phillies offered a bit more than what Cabrera got, they might have won.
I would think that Martin would get more in line with what Morneau got from Minnesota, which is $4.5M.
2008-02-22 17:35:55
90.   Joe Pierre
Fagetaboudit. Why leave the best facility in all of baseball after 60 years. A place where they trained when the team was still in Brooklyn. Some of the old Dodgers from the east may not make the trip to Glendale AZ. Besides I may decide to make the trip to Vero next year afterall, if they don't leave. You L.A. Fans get to see them all summer anyway. It's another old part of this team that is being torn away.

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