Dodger Thoughts

Download free admission ticket for FanFest

On January 15, 2016

Mark Langill/Los Angeles Dodgers

By Jon Weisman

While FanFest (presented by State Farm) remains free to all attendees, the Dodgers are asking fans to download their free tickets for the January 30 event at dodgers.com/fanfest.

Open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., FanFest will feature appearances and autographs from Dodger players, coaches and legends. Parking gates open at 9:30 a.m. (parking is also free), with the admission gates in the outfield plazas opening at 10.

Concerned about El Nino? FanFest will take place rain or shine, although in case of inclement weather, some on-field activities may have to be curtailed.

Autograph session tickets will go on sale soon, and an announcement will be made on the player schedule and the sale of these tickets. All autograph session ticket proceeds will benefit the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation. Donations will support LADF programs and provide assistance to community organizations in the areas of education and literacy, health and wellness and sports and recreation.

VIP Experiences including player meet-and-greets and Q&As, batting and pitching lessons, and clubhouse and press box tours will also be available soon for advance purchase online.

FanFest will feature the following for all fans:

family-friendly activities, including interactive games and a run-the-bases experience
interviews with current and former Dodgers on FanFest’s main stage.
the @Dodgers social media lounge, with a charging station, photo area with oversized MLB.com Clubhouse stickers and RBI Baseball on XBox
photo opportunities inside the Dodger dugout and with the World Series trophy
the second-annual LADF Yard Sale, with one-of-a-kind Dodger items for budgets of all sizes, including jerseys, T-shirts and more
the LADF Mystery Bag Fundraiser, where fans can purchase an official Major League baseball autographed by a current or former Dodger for a $40 donation and autographed jerseys for an $80 donation (while supplies last)
Dodger merchandise on sale, along with food and beverages.

Fans will also be able to buy Opening Day mini plans and individual game tickets (excluding Opening Day) at FanFest. The best way to guarantee Opening Day tickets is to purchase a mini plan. (For more information, visit dodgers.com/miniplans).

Note: One day before FanFest, on January 29, the Dodgers’ exclusive online sale of tickets for all 2016 games — including a very limited number of Opening Day tickets — will be held beginning at 10 a.m. at dodgers.com.

Dodger partners State Farm, Budweiser, Chef Merito, Coca-Cola, Welk Resorts, Hi-Chew, Montejo, Sunrun, Blue Prints, Gazillion Bubbles, Los Angeles Times, Marika and broadcast partners SportsNet LA and AM570 LA Sports will partake in FanFest’s family-friendly activations and giveaways.

Don’t forget to download your free FanFest tickets today.

Vin Scully to receive Lifetime Achievement Award from L.A. Sports Council

By Jon Weisman

On January 15, 2016

In Awards, Broadcasting

Vin Scully at Camelback Ranch in 2015. (Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers)

Vin Scully will receive the first Lifetime Achievement Award from the L.A. Sports Council during the 11th annual L.A. Sports Awards, February 25 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.

“I can’t think of a person more deserving of this recognition,” Sports Council president David Simon said. “Even more remarkable than his longevity is the consistently high quality and integrity his announcing has represented over the years.”

— Jon Weisman

Dodgers name minor-league coaches for 2016

By Jon Weisman

On January 14, 2016

In Minor leagues

By Jon Weisman

Having announced their 2016 minor-league managers in December, the Dodgers have now named nearly all the coaches at their six farm system affiliates. The group includes some familiar names. Here we go …

Youth in rotation: A bevy of Dodger starting pitchers under 30

By Jon Weisman

On January 13, 2016

In History, Pitching

By Jon Weisman

With the signing of Kenta Maeda, 11 of the 13 Dodgers on the active roster with MLB experience as starting pitchers will be under 30 when Spring Training begins.

The names of the youth brigade: Brett Anderson (28), Brandon Beachy (29), Mike Bolsinger (28), Carlos Frias (26), Clayton Kershaw (28 in March), Zach Lee (24), Maeda (28 in April), Frankie Montas (23 in March), Hyun-Jin Ryu (29 in March), Ian Thomas (29 in April) and Alex Wood (25).

The only starting pitcher over age 30 on the 40-man roster scheduled to take the mound this spring is Scott Kazmir, and he will be only 32, the same age as Brandon McCarthy, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery and won’t pitch until the summer at the earliest.

While these Dodgers could have one of the highest percentages of under-30 starters since the franchise moved to Los Angeles in 1958, they won’t set a record.

In 1962 — a season that went to 165 games because of the three-game tiebreaker playoff with the Giants — every single game the Dodgers played was started by an under-30 pitcher except the 165th, which came three days after Johnny Podres’ 30th birthday.

(Click on the chart below for more detail.)

Alex Anthopoulos takes long view of Dodger tenure

By Jon Weisman

On January 12, 2016

In Front office, Transactions

Alex Anthopoulos at Spring Training in Dunedin, Florida last year. (Nathan Denette/AP/The Canadian Press)

Alex Anthopoulos at Spring Training in Dunedin, Florida in 2015. (Nathan Denette/AP/The Canadian Press)

By Jon Weisman

As word spread of Alex Anthopoulos joining the Dodgers as vice president of baseball operations, one big question naturally followed. How long would a lead actor (just named 2015 Sporting News MLB Executive of the Year) want to take on a supporting part in another organization?

But Anthopoulos worried about the spotlight, nor is he putting a time limit on his move to Los Angeles. In fact, he’s doubling down on his commitment by moving his family to Southern California after school lets out in Toronto this year.

“That came up with a few of the clubs that I spoke to,” the former Blue Jays senior vice president and general manager said in a conference call with reporters today. “A few of them said, ‘You’re probably only going to be here for a year.’ It was flattering to hear that, but at the same time, we know that there’s only 28 of these jobs with other teams. I wouldn’t move my family out here if I felt this was going to be a quick stay.”

Infielder-outfielder Rob Segedin joins Dodgers

By Jon Weisman

On January 12, 2016

In Transactions

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By Jon Weisman

Ronald Torreyes, who was designated for assignment when Kenta Maeda was signed, and Tyler Olson, who met the same fate the day Brandon Beachy returned to the Dodgers, have been traded to the New York Yankees for minor-league infielder/outfielder Rob Segedin and a player to be named later or cash considerations.

The 27-year-old Segedin had a .379 on-base percentage at Double-A Trenton last year and a .350 OBP in Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, slugging .426 combined. A right-handed hitter, he has played 265 career professional games at third base, 66 in right field, 48 at first base and 44 in left field.

According to the Bergen Record, Segedin earned his degree in 3 1/2 years, with a double major in finance and management from Tulane, the alma mater of his new boss, former Green Wave ballplayer Andrew Friedman.

Dodgers trade Joe Wieland for Erick Mejia

By Jon Weisman

On January 12, 2016

In Baserunning, Transactions

Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers

By Jon Weisman

Speedy, switch-hitting minor-league infielder Erick Mejia has been acquired by the Dodgers from Seattle in exchange for right-handed pitcher Joe Wieland.

Mejia, who turned 21 in November, played at four levels in 2015, spending most of his time with Single-A Everett, where he had a .361 on-base percentage and was successful in all 18 of his stolen-base attempts. Over his last two years, Mejia has stolen 33 bases in 36 attempts.

On August 3, Mejia was named Northwest League Player of the Week, after going 12 for 28 with a double, triple, two walks and two steals.

Wieland, who was acquired 13 months ago in the Yasmani Grandal trade, made two starts for the Dodgers, allowing eight runs in 8 2/3 innings. He spent most of the season with Triple-A Oklahoma City, delivering a 4.59 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 7.3 strikeouts per nine innings. He turns 26 later this month.

Alex Anthopoulos joins Dodger front office

By Jon Weisman

On January 12, 2016

In Front office

Richard Lautens/Toronto Star via Getty Images

By Jon Weisman

Alex Anthopoulos, named the 2015 MLB Executive of the Year by The Sporting News, has been hired by the Dodgers as vice president of baseball operations.

During the 2010-15 seasons, Anthopoulos was senior vice president and general manager of the Toronto Blue Jays, who went to the American League Championship Series last year and won the AL East title.

The 38-year-old Anthopoulos will assist in all aspects of baseball operations, working with president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman, general manager Farhan Zaidi and senior vice president of baseball operations Josh Byrnes.

“We are thrilled to be bringing Alex on board,” Friedman said. “Farhan (Zaidi, Josh, and myself all have longstanding relationships with him and believe his experience and perspective will be a tremendous asset to our organization.”

Anthopoulos began his baseball career with the Expos as a media relations intern in 2000 before transitioning to scouting for the club for the next three seasons. He joined Toronto following the 2003 season as a scouting coordinator and earned a promotion to vice president of baseball operations and assistant general manager in 2006, before taking over as general manager in October 2009.

Brandon McCarthy’s Players’ Tribune mailbag

By Jon Weisman

On January 12, 2016

In Uncategorized

Jill Weisleder/Los Angeles Dodgers

By Jon Weisman

When I think of the Players’ Tribune, my mind goes back to the old Players Club ads with Telly Savalas. This is where I picture all these athletes hanging out, catching a show in the lounge while writing their pieces for the PT.

Surely, that was the setting for this jaunty Players’ Tribune mailbag from Dodger pitcher Brandon McCarthy. It’s impossible to pick out my favorite response, but for Dodger fans of all ages, surely this recap of his first encounter with Sandy Koufax works:

First off, he looks about 25 years younger than he is, so my first thought was to ask him about his skin care regimen. Deciding that was too personal, I said something like, “Crazy weather we’re having,” because it was overcast in Arizona. He might have said something in response, but I forget what it was, and honestly it’s not relevant to my story.

Sensing that he was dealing with a social dunce, he asked me about my curveball grip. I showed him, and he quickly showed me a much better way to hold it. My instincts to talk about the weather almost kicked in again before he continued talking about how important the grip is and how he used to hold his depending on what type of curveball he wanted to throw. We talked about the curveball for about half an hour even though I was cold, because it was overcast in Arizona. It will forever be one of my favorite career experiences.

Here’s a short peek into his thoughts about his lost 2015 season:

I wish I had a funny or better answer to this question other than “I don’t know,” but I don’t. I forgot to pack my sinker when I came to spring training and I think I was fighting against that. I was unable to get ground balls so I had to throw more four-seamers, leading to more strikeouts and more fly balls. Sample size for the season was so small and I was hurt for two of the games, so I choose to not look at last season as much of anything.

Read the entire mailbag here.

Lance Rautzhan, 1952-2016

By Jon Weisman

On January 11, 2016

In Farewells

By Jon Weisman

We’re sorry to pass along the news that former Dodger reliever Lance Rautzhan has passed away at age 63.

Rautzhan was a rookie on the 1977 Dodgers, making his MLB debut that July and going all the way to the World Series both that year. In 1978, he returned to the postseason after delivering a 2.93 ERA in 61 1/3 regular-season innings.

As Ken Gurnick of MLB.com points out in his obituary for Rautzhan, the left-hander from Pottsville, Pennsylvania was the winning pitcher in one of the most famous Dodger playoff games ever, when Los Angeles scored three runs in the top of the ninth to defeat Philadelphia in Game 3 of the 1977 National League Championship Series. Rautzhan faced one batter, retiring Bake McBride to end the eighth inning.

Overall, Rautzhan pitched in 80 regular season games for the Dodgers with a 3.73 ERA. He finished his career with Milwaukee in 1979, shortly before his 27th birthday.

Rautzhan was inducted into the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame in November 2014.

Riddle me this, Yasiel Puig

By Jon Weisman

On January 9, 2016

In Hitting

By Jon Weisman

If you think you’ve got a firm idea of how Yasiel Puig will perform in 2016, you’re kidding yourself.

Video: Interview with Julio Urias

By Jon Weisman

On January 8, 2016

In Development

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Julio Urias spoke on a number of topics in this interview held at this week’s MLB Rookie Career Development Program near Washington D.C. For more on the program, see below.

— Jon Weisman

[mlbvideo id=”537815183″ width=”550″ height=”308″ /]

Dodgers divvy up 2016 winter development program

By Jon Weisman

On January 8, 2016

In Catching, Development, Minor leagues

Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers

By Jon Weisman

Instead of a single Winter Development Program for minor leaguers this month, as they have had in recent years, the Dodgers will run three different smaller camps over the next three weeks.

“There’s room for us to do it a little more creatively this time and optimize for togetherness and development of our players, and also our staff members,” Dodger director of player development Gabe Kapler said.

Why Kenta Maeda offers high upside

By Jon Weisman

On January 7, 2016

In Front office, Health/injuries, Pitching

https://twitter.com/Dodgers/status/685209880018329601

By Jon Weisman

Twice during his introductory press conference today, speaking through a translator, new Dodger righty Kenta Maeda said he really looked forward to being in a “champagne fight” at the end of the season.

That Maeda acknowledged reported “irregularities” in the physical that was submitted to Major League teams pursuing the Japanese baseball star certainly affected the structure of the eight-year, incentive-laden deal he signed, but did not diminish the confidence that he or the Dodgers have that he’ll be in the thick of the championship bubbly.

“Obviously, we spent a lot of time evaluating and scouting Kenta over his very successful career in Japan,” Dodger president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said. “We feel like the pitch mix will play here — obviously the fastball, slider is kind of his out pitch, his changeup has really come on, very good feel for a curveball. The ability to show so many different pitches and command them, coupled with the kind of athlete he is — he’s a tremendous athlete, fields his position well, holds runners well, can hit — obviously helps in the National League.”

No one today would talk in specifics about what cropped up in Maeda’s physical, but Friedman said that he is “totally asymptomatic.”

The lowdown on new Dodger righty Kenta Maeda

By Jon Weisman

On January 7, 2016

In International, Transactions

Kenta Maeda pitches in the second inning against the MLB All-Stars at the Kyocera Dome during the Japan All-Star Series on November 12, 2014 in Osaka. (Yuki Taguchi/MLB Photos)

Kenta Maeda pitches in the second inning against the MLB All-Stars at Osaka’s Kyocera Dome during the Japan All-Star Series on November 12, 2014. (Yuki Taguchi/MLB Photos)

By Jon Weisman

Bolstering their starting rotation, the Dodgers have signed 27-year-old right-hander Kenta Maeda to a contract. Not just any contract, but an eight-year contract.

“We are excited to be bringing Kenta Maeda into the Dodger organization,” Dodger president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said. “We have had the chance to scout him extensively in Japan and on the international stage and believe he has all the tools to be a successful Major League starting pitcher. We were honored to hear of his strong desire to be a Dodger and that only added to our motivation to bring him on board. We look forward to Kenta adding another chapter to the Dodgers’ global legacy and to him strengthening our ballclub in the years ahead.”

Listed at a slender 6 feet, 154 pounds, Maeda follows a line of pitchers from Japan including Hideo Nomo, Kazuhisa Ishii, Takashi Saito and Hideki Kuroda. He has a 2.39 career ERA in 1,509 2/3 career innings with the Hiroshima Carp of the Japan Central League, striking out 7.4 batters per nine innings.

By comparison, Kuroda — who also pitched for Hiroshima, from 1997-2007 — had an ERA of 3.69 and 6.7 strikeouts per nine innings when he joined the Dodgers at age 33. Kuroda went on to have a 3.73 ERA (3.59 FIP) in his first season with Los Angeles and 3.45 ERA (3.55 FIP) in four seasons.

In 2015, Maeda’s ERA was 2.14 in 206 1/3 innings — his seventh consecutive season with at least 175 innings. He was fourth in the league in ERA and third in strikeouts, and won his second Sawamura Award, the Japanese equivalent of the Cy Young Award.

Jon Weisman's outlet for dealing psychologically with the Los Angeles Dodgers, baseball and life

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Download free admission ticket for FanFest

Vin Scully to receive Lifetime Achievement Award from L.A. Sports Council

Dodgers name minor-league coaches for 2016

Youth in rotation: A bevy of Dodger starting pitchers under 30

Alex Anthopoulos takes long view of Dodger tenure

Infielder-outfielder Rob Segedin joins Dodgers

Dodgers trade Joe Wieland for Erick Mejia

Alex Anthopoulos joins Dodger front office

Brandon McCarthy’s Players’ Tribune mailbag

Lance Rautzhan, 1952-2016

Riddle me this, Yasiel Puig

Video: Interview with Julio Urias

Dodgers divvy up 2016 winter development program

Why Kenta Maeda offers high upside

The lowdown on new Dodger righty Kenta Maeda

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