Spring Training Update - 2/18/08

Man, you guys are lucky today as I just keep finding things to write about. Some of you must have earned good karma over the weekend. Save a baby from a burning building... get an extra Blue post on Monday. Pay it forward, people... it's just that simple.

*** On Sunday, Sandy Koufax made one of his rare visits to Dodgertown. Just f'n awesome. It's Sandy Koufax! If he was not immediately mobbed by any pitcher within twenty square miles, the game is forever destined to die. The wealth of knowledge contained on his shoulders is immeasureable. It makes me so happy that the current ownership managed to bury the hatchet with him after years of discord because he is an important piece of Dodgers history and it was a real shame that he was on the outs with the franchise for so many years.

*** In the midst of the Jones and Kuroda signings, a minor league contract was offered to a familiar face to Dodger fans... Chan Ho Park. Chan Ho was a solid pitcher for the Dodgers in his first stint with them before moving on for greener pastures [and a much greener contract.] Since then, he's bounced around the league and accomplished little. So, now he's back with his first MLB team to try to recapture the magic. I'd like to see him make it because 1] you can never have too much pitching and 2] we might get a repeat of this...



ENZUUUUUGIRIIIIIIIII!

Ahem. Good luck, Chan Ho.

*** When the Dodgers split their squad this spring to go to China, it will be historic for more than one reason. Not only is it the first MLB game played in China but the team being left behind will be managed by Hall of Famer and baseball ambassador Tommy Lasorda! That's just beyond awesome for someone who grew up worshipping the ground Tommy walked on. I just hope he doesn't blow out any of our pitchers' arms in that week of work. Take it easy, Tommy! It's just spring training.

*** And just to make sure that you're all paying attention, I'll slip in a jab at one of our "rival" teams. Check out this gem from ESPN today. The man I affectionately refer to as a F-Rod... or Fraud... thinks he's gone from the Angels because he's not feeling the love. Read the article to see his artful dodge from "Yep, I'm guessing I'm out of here" to "Oh shit, you're not going to print that, right?" It's a beautiful ride.