DODGERS: The Spring Training Thread

I actually noticed this as well when Ethier sprinted full out down to first on a grounder. Absolutely never seen him do that except maybe in his rookie year. Usually he takes three pouty steps and throws his helmet somewhere. Who knows what promises have been made to him behind closed doors.

 

DFA the fucker

 

Yeah, Morrison's $ were involved in that one...but no "Once Were Warriors" though. I like the films about the Maoris (modern day)...I think the culture they have adopted and mingled with their ancient one is facinating...I don't know what troubles they have; it looks like it my be substantial. I see similarities between them and Native Americans. Not the ones that run the casinos..the ones that live on the reserves with rampant diabetes and alcoholism. Another aboriginal civilization getting fucked over, I guess.
I like Teameru (sp?); he's a pretty good actor for his roles I've seen him in...and the guy who played the sleezy friend that banged his daughter in Warriors gets a lot of work in films...mainstream too.
I still can't figure out how those eggs were supposed to cook with all those sausages in that pan. WTF?
Hey Grizz, do you have tatu?

 

These jerseys absolutely suck lol.

 

Is there any way to watch it.. or do I have to resort to gameday?

 

The Rockies feed is available to me on 683 (Directv). Doubt its on other than that.

 

The night game is on TV with Vin.

 

Ethier is raking

 

Holy fuck Uribe is brutal.

 

Solid job by Eovaldi.

 

Not the greatest article.

Dee Gordon asks a lot of questions, something that Barry Larkin noticed the first time he worked with the Dodgers shortstop in the offseason. Precise questions, about how you hold the glove in making a play at the second base bag, about how you make sure you hit the ball on the ground when you want to, about your mental approach.


This curiosity is part of the reason Larkin came away from his conversations with Gordon believing that the son of former relief pitcher Tom Gordon will become a good player -- a reallygood player. "He's got the ability to be an All-Star -- and a perennial All-Star," Larkin said over the phone Friday, from Arizona.

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Rick Scuteri/US PresswireDee Gordon's speed is a huge asset for the Dodgers.​

As with all young players, there are flaws to be found in Gordon, who turns 24 in April. He hasn't drawn a high volume of walks in the minor leagues -- 40 in 133 games in 2010, for example. He hasn't hit for power, with seven homers in 1,814 plate appearances in the minors.


But what Gordon does have is game-changing speed -- he stole 24 bases in just 54 games with the Dodgers last year, and others in the Dodgers' organization will tell you Gordon has a very strong sense of who he is and what he must do to be successful. Play an efficient shortstop. Put the ball on the ground. Pressure the defense with his speed. Run.



And he asks all those questions, in his effort to get better. "I've always been that way," Gordon said. "I always felt like if I didn't know something, I'll ask. Just ask."


Gordon never had any precise instruction in base-stealing until he signed with the Dodgers, and early in his career, "I was kind of winging it," he said. But Crash McRae, a coach in the L.A. system, began to work with him, and over the last 14 months he's worked under the tutelage of Davey Lopes, who is regarded as arguably the best teacher of baserunning, and base-stealing, in the sport.


Lopes is intense in his manner of coaching -- so intense, Gordon said, "that he kind of scares you a little bit. ... But Davey's been one of the greatest at it."


So Gordon asks questions. A lot of questions. "I'm not perfect at base-stealing," he said. "It's not like I'm never getting caught. I need to get better in every category."


Larkin believes that Gordon's body will fill out and that he'll get stronger. "He's going to develop his man muscles," said Larkin, who is working with Cincinnati minor leaguers this spring. "Dee seems like a sponge -- a workaholic. I love his work ethic and attitude. He's passionate.


"He's really intuitive, and he's got great instincts -- and he's got athletic ability out the wazoo."

 

Why , pray tell, is that not a great article? Pretty damn positive on the kid, IMO. Shows intelligence on his part...and a work ethic worth while. Does anybody else see it this way?