At last.  Spring Training!  Last October I thought it would take forever for Spring to come.  Here it is the second day already.  And only a little over a month until the season starts.  I will be going to Camel Back next week to check out the new digs.  Sounds super, doesn’t it?  I plan on staying very close to the park: 1.4 miles away, the hotel providing a free shuttle and nice breakfast.  I also plan on eating at a couple of retaurants suggested on Andre Ethier’s blog: the main one Fry Bread House.  I will critique the critic’s choice!  Hopefully Andre will be healthy next week.  Andre is not injury prone so he will snap back.  I have subscribed to MLB..TV but found that the Dodgers Giants games was on the radio.  Sounds like a fantastic game.  If only the regular season goes this well.  They expect Manny to sign tomorrow.  Then maybe we can get on with ST!

Arbitration was avoided when Andre and the Dodgers agreed to a sum of $3.1 million.  I think it is a fair salary.  The only unfinished business at this point is, of course, Manny.  He is still out there obviously without any other offers.  So far our Dodgers have reached out to him.  Russell, Matt and Joe Torre all have expressed their desire to have Manny in their midst.  I know that they all seemed to have a great rapport from what I saw. Manny going to the Dodgers is actually the only logical move.  Everyone agree? I think it needs to be settled before the first ST game.

For those who are going to go to the first Spring Training at Camelback this year, there is a super article in the Sunday edition of the Los Angeles Times that tells you everything you need to know.  I decided to change my lodging after reading the article to Comfort Suites which is the closest hotel to the ballpark.  I’m planning on going alone so the article was especially helpful to me.  Let the Games begin!!!

I can’t let the day end without saying Happy Birthday to Russell.  I hope he has a great day. 

Yikes, the first real injury of ST had to be Russell Martin.  He had a foot injury while doing some exercises.  MRI revealed no break but a sprained tendon.  Thank goodness.  He was able to take part in the inaugural workout at Camelback Ranch though.  Hopefully he will be okay for the first ST game.  I wonder how that will affect his playing in the World Baseball Classic. 

Today the bus left Dodger Stadium for spring training.  Tomorrow catchers and pitchers report.  It is getting very close.  I can feel the excitement.  The question is, will Manny sign now or wait until ST is underway. I personally feel that it is just the matter of length of time.  Manny will be a Dodger.  Also on my wish list: Joe Beimel.  Joe, please come home!!!

Spring Training is just around the corner…let’s say two days.  Pitchers and catchers report Friday.  However things are still unsettled as far as Manny goes.  We also still have to worry about Andre and arbitration.  I had hoped that it would be settled before it came to this. 

It should be an exciting time.  It’s the first ST at Camelback.  Let’s hope we can have as great a tradition in Arizona as we did in Vero Beach.  We all will miss Dodgertown but things do have to change.  It will mean that more of us in California can actually go since it won’t be a trip across the country.  I will be going in early March.  I never have been able to go so it will be an experience.  I will try to post pictures as soon as possible.  I will travel with camera and laptop!!

Meanwhile I am still interested in any further acquisitions.  I certainly hope they consider bring Joe Beimel back.  We need him even if it is in a situational position.  The pitching seems to be settled.  I have great hopes for James MacDonald.  He has a strong arm and quite a fast ball.  Hopefully Bills will be healed enough to be the ace.  I  think it will be a big year for Kuroda.  And Kuo was outstanding last year.

And Russell..maybe he will be able to take a few games off with Ausmus as relief.  It would be nice so he can play as well after the All Star Break.

Hopefully we will have some surprises during Spring Training.  Wouldn’t that be great.