DODGER THOUGHTS FROM SPRING TRAINING 2010

For Reporters, Arizona is a welcome location to work. The weather is 81 everyday and Spring Training is always relaxing. For Athletes the weather is also 81 everyday and although Spring Training starts out relaxing, after a few weeks not so much. For some.

The big question for the Los Angeles Dodgers is simple...get past the Phillies and win the World Series. It has been two winning season's for the Dodgers. National league champs. They even get through the first round of the playoffs, sweeping the unstoppable St.Louis Cards last year and the Cubs the year before that. It's the next round that is still a sore spot for the Dodgers.

So what is different in 2010? The kids are older now, not kids anymore. Andre Ethier is a bonafide player and Matt Kemp is right behind him. Now if James Loney follows and the trio have grown a little stronger, the middle of the order will score runs.
Rafael Furcal and Casey Blake look solid. Casey Blake shaved off a few pounds and his signature facial hair. Looks pretty good to me. The starting job at second will come down to the wire with Blake DeWitt and Ronnie Belliard neck in neck. DeWitt has been working in the off season and is noticeably better. Larry Bowa can't stop talking about him.

The controversial question is still about Manny. Is he done or does he have another year in him? Reporters love to try to antagonize Manny. For the most part, he knows how to let it roll off his back. Sometimes I think they forget how long Manny has been playing this game. Manny is relaxed in Spring Training games and can still hit, catch and throw. Joe Torre is not worried about Manny or himself for that matter. In the category of "most stupid questions ever" is the one Joe Torre is not answering, will you renew for next season? Can we get through this season first? Just think, if you hold that question until atleast September, it will give you a great story to get in the way of the playoffs!!

Russel Martin made news this season by gaining some weight and then pulling a groin which will keep him out of the line up on Opening Day. Russel did not look that over weight to me. lets hope he heals fast. Until then AJ Ellis will start.

The big question for the LA Dodgers is who is on the mound. Clayton Kershaw is only getting better and only 22. Vincente Padilla seems to be focused, we will see how long that lasts. Billingsly seems to be more together than I have ever seen him. He actually came over and said hello to me. He never even looks up let alone says hello. Hiroki Kuroda is aging. No one knows what that means. As far as a 5Th starter, well alot of teams don't really have a 5Th starter. Not sure the Dodgers do either. Torre likes his middle relievers and closers, never likes to let a starter pitch more than 5 innings which drives me nuts but I will not claim to know more about pitching than Joe does.

There are ALOT of new/old faces in the Dodger Spring Training locker room. Former Angel Garrett Anderson along with Jamey Carroll, Reed Johnson, a couple of guys named Ortiz. Joe Torre told me he wishes he had a little more time to figure out what to do with all these guys. Who will make the roster? It's all wait and see.

As we have seen, having the best record in the National league does not guarantee you much in the post season. Since the only time the National media talks about the Dodgers is when it's about Manny or the McCourts divorce, I will be blogging alot more this year to tell you rest. By the way I did see Frank McCourt in Spring Training and as far as I know, he is still the owner of the Dodgers and he is still getting a divorce.

STERLING NEEDS TO PULL THE TRIGGER

It's been awhile since I have blogged, but I am back! In an effort to bring you information from a behind the scene's perspective in sports we have to address what is really going on with the Los Angeles Clippers. Not the hype, but the reality. Owner Donald Sterling has cleaned house. His lame effort to get rid of Dunleavy entirely is finally a reality. Going back to 6 weeks ago when Sterling decided to relieve Dunleavy of his coaching duties. (This came after the Clippers lost to the practically win less Nets)But Dunleavy said that he would remain as General Manager and the decision to step down as head coach was mutual. Come on now, you don't have to be an insider or brain surgeon to figure that one out. Here is what I did find out. When the coaching change was made, people close to Sterling were shocked that Dunleavy was still there in any capacity, let alone as GM. Dunleavy is still owed several million for next year but his reign is over with the Clippers. For whatever reason, his coaching style did not work with the players. Although interim coach Kim Hughes has no real experience, I have never seen players so happy to have someone else, anyone else in there to lead. They actually wanted to win for him. That was short lived. While Dunleavy was still GM, he traded away Marcus Canby and Al Thornton. Dunleavy never liked Thornton who will more than likely have a huge career somewhere else. Although the addition of Rasual Butler has been a success, the Clippers are again left without continuity on the court. Let alone the fact that they don't really know each other at all. It has been one recipe for disaster and failure after another.
So as the season started with the Blake Grffin injury it ends with no leadership and a whole bunch of money to spend. Will Sterling finally do the right thing and spend the money on a Byron Scott? LeBron James? Or will the Clippers settle for odds and ends? This team needs a new vision, one that will lead the to wins. Not mediocrity. Do the right thing Sterling, sell the team or spend the money but pull the trigger!