Fans take cover during the downpour.

Hyang-Cam, Gabriel Gutierrez, Robert Boothe and Chin0lung Hu sit during a rainout.

Dodgers reliever Hong-Chih Kuo eats during a rainout in Taiwan.

Eric Stults and Robert Boothe sign for fans.

Manny Ramirez and teammates wave to the fans.

Hong-Chih Kuo talks to the media after the rainout.

Photo Credit: Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers

I know this trip is an inconvenience on many levels, including the logistical issues and obvious delays in the Spring Training program, but I don’t think it’s nearly as disruptive as events such as the World Baseball Classic. In fact, I would argue that the only people that the Taiwan trip really may impact at all are the pitchers that go. Steve Lyons was saying on yesterday’s televised Dodgers-Diamondbacks game that batters only need about 40 at-bats to find their rhythm, while pitchers need the additional time to find their groove. Of course, the flip side of this argument is that there are now a bunch of minor leaguers at Camelback Ranch that are relishing the extra time they’re getting in real game action, and this will only enhance their development.

Plus, I’m a sucker for history, and the Dodgers connection with Asia is something that I’m glad the McCourt’s are continuing. It would be very easy for them to pass on opportunities like this for a number of reasons (even if Major League Baseball is paying for it).

Per the Dodgers:

The Dodger franchise’s ties to the continent of Asia date to 1956, when the Brooklyn Dodgers took part in a postseason tour of Japan. Since that time, the team has stayed intricately involved in the worldwide expansion of baseball, becoming the first Major League team to open an office in Asia (1998), the first to play a game in Taiwan (1993) and the first to host a game in China (2008).

And it’s for this reason, that I think the trip is worthwhile. The Dodgers are trailblazers, and international firsts have become part of the DNA of the franchise: they toured Japan (1956, 1966 and 1993). They played exhibition games across the Western Hemisphere, including Puerto Rico (1988) and Mexico (1964, 1991 and 2003).  They held Spring Training in Havana, Cuba in 1941-42 and in the Dominican Republic in 1948.  The Dodgers opened Campo Las Palmas in the Dominican Republic in 1987, marking the first time a MLB franchise has opened a baseball academy outside of the U.S., developing future Dodgers players, including Adrian Beltre, Pedro Martinez, Raul Mondesi and Pedro Astacio, among others.  Furthering baseball abroad is simply part of the legacy of the club.

Ok, back to Taiwan. I also love this series for a bunch of other reasons than just the history:

I love that the first two games sold out in record time.

I love that the Taiwanese fans care about which players attend (and don’t attend).

I love that Chin-Feng Chen (the first Taiwanese player to appear in an MLB game) will face his former team during this series for the first time.

I love that the Dodgers players are excited about making the trip (or are getting paid $170,000 in personal appearance fees to attend).

I love the passion of the fans. After experiencing the electric atmosphere at the World Baseball Classic finals at Dodger Stadium last year, I bet the games will take on a life of their own.

Secretly, I hope that all of this means that the Dodgers have an inside-edge (along with the Mariners and their Japanese ownership) on signing the best free agents coming out of Asia. Maybe that’s not true in today’s world, but hey, I’m a fan and I have my own hopes for the team, no matter how unrealistic they are.

Let’s play ball! (and you know I would have said that in Taiwanese if I knew how!)

Photo credit: Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers

Former Dodgers center-fielder Willie Davis was found dead in his Glendale, CA home today.  He was 69.  According to reports from the LAPD in today’s Los Angeles Times, Davis appeared to have died of natural causes.

The Dodgers issued the following statement from Frank McCourt this afternoon:

“Willie Davis went from a local talent at Roosevelt High School to a World Champion center fielder for the Dodgers in just a few years and many of his records still stand today. He was beloved by generations of Dodger fans and remains one of the most talented players ever to wear the Dodger uniform. Having spent time with him over the past six years, I know how proud he was to have been a Dodger. He will surely be missed and our sincere thoughts are with his children during this difficult time.”

I think Steve Dilbeck’s blog post remembering the good, the bad and the expectations (placed on by fans and of himself) Willie Davis is really something, and worth a read by everyone who visits this blog.  A brief quote is below:

He was a remarkable athlete who did some remarkable things for the Dodgers. Yet somehow with Willie, it seemed less about what he accomplished and more about what he did not.……..

He couldn’t hit as well as Tommy Davis, steal like Maury Wills. Didn’t have the commanding presence of Sandy Koufax or Don Drysdale. He seemed more a role player on the great Dodgers teams of the ’60s, though his flashes of greatness only seemed to leave others yearning for more.

Willie was called up when he was only 20 and played 13 years with the Dodgers, 17 major-league seasons overall. And when he passed away Tuesday, he was still the Los Angeles Dodgers all-time leader in hits, extra-base hits, total bases, plate appearances and triples.

He had a deep voice, distinctive laugh. For a man others claimed was always in search of himself as a player, he gave off the appearance of easy-going happiness.

He won three Gold Gloves, stole 20 or more bases 13 times, still holds the L.A. Dodgers record for his 13-game hitting streak and was twice an All-Star.

And yet unfairly, he is almost remembered as much for the three errors he committed on consecutive plays in Game 2 of the 1966 World Series. For being Willie Davis, and not Willie Mays. For imagined sins of omission.

………….

If guilty only of not being a superstar, he was still a unique star and special player. He died at age 69, and the only thing he didn’t give us enough of, was years.

Rest in peace, Willie Davis.

Photo Credit: WalterOMalley.com

ROCKIES ROAD: The Dodgers will face the 2009 National League Wild Card entry Colorado Rockies today at Camelback Ranch – Glendale. Last year the NL West race came down to the final weekend of the season with the Dodgers clinching the title on Oct. 3 at Dodger Stadium behind 6.0 scoreless innings from Clayton Kershaw and perfect bullpen outings from Hong-Chih Kuo, George Sherrill and Jonathan Broxton. Kershaw made his Cactus League debut yesterday and the relief trio will be on display for the first time this afternoon. The Dodgers travel to Tucson to play the Rockies on March 30.

STAYING ROUTINE: For the fourth consecutive game, the Dodgers first five in the order will be Rafael Furcal, Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier, Manny Ramirez and James Loney. Casey Blake will miss today’s contest to rest his back, which he slightly tweaked yesterday while throwing. The red-hot Blake DeWitt will also start his fourth straight game and looks to improve on his near-perfect start that has seen him go 4-for-5 with a double, two runs scored and four walks.

THERE GOES OUR HIRO: Dodger right-hander Hiroki Kuroda will make his Spring Training debut today, kicking off his third season with Los Angeles. Since coming over from Japan, Kuroda is 17-17 with a 3.74 over 52 games (51 starts) in his two years with the Dodgers. Kuroda will be followed to the mound by RHP Charlie Haeger, LHP Hong-Chih Kuo, RHP Jonathan Broxton and LHP George Sherrill. The Rockies will send RHP Ubaldo Jimenez to the hill.

TAIWAN TWO-STEP:  The Dodgers have packed their bags for the 15-hour 6,414-mile flight to Taiwan tomorrow morning. Taiwan natives Chin-lung Hu and Hong-Chih Kuo along with familiar faces Manny Ramirez, James Loney and Joe Torre will headline the club’s travel roster that is set to take on a team comprised of Chinese Professional Baseball League All-Stars in the three-game goodwill series. In addition, MLB International and PRIME TICKET are both onsite today to tape some last-minute footage of the Taiwan preparation before the long flight tomorrow.

INTERNATIONAL FLAVOR – The Dodgers’ roster in Taiwan is represented by seven countries – the United States, Taiwan (Kuo, Hu), South Korea (Choi), the Dominican Republic (Ramirez, Alvarez, Perez and Berroa), Mexico (Castillo, Felix and Gutierrez), Venezuela (Bastardo) and Curacao/Netherlands Antilles (Jansen).  In fact, all seven nationalities are represented on the pitching staff alone!

LET’S PLAY “2″: Yesterday, the Dodgers ended up playing a “B” game at the Ballpark at Camelback Ranch in addition to their regularly scheduled contest with the Giants in Scottsdale. The morning “B” game, which ended in a 3-3 tie, saw Josh Lindblom fire 2.0 scoreless innings and Ramon Troncoso, Javy Guerra, Kenley Jansen and Travis Schlichting fire a scoreless inning apiece. Brian Giles collected two hits in the contest. During the afternoon match-up in Scottsdale, Matt Kemp blasted his first homer of the spring and Blake DeWitt went 2-for-2 with two walks. On the mound, Josh Towers (2.0), Jon Link (1.0) and Carlos Monasterios (2.0) tossed scoreless baseball.

THE OLD WISE ONES: The longest tenured Dodger in camp is Jason Repko, who has been in the Dodger organization continuously since starting with Rookie-level Great Falls in 1999. Right behind Repko is left-hander Hong-Chih Kuo, who started with San Bernardino in 2000. The longest continuously tenured Dodger at the Major League level who has not been sent down to the minors at any point is Jonathan Broxton, who has been a Los Angeles Dodger since May 1, 2006. Broxton made his big league debut on July 29, 2005, but started the 2006 season in Triple-A Las Vegas. Just for fun, Andre Ethier debuted on May 2, 2006 and Russell Martin on May 5, 2006.

THE WISEST ONE: Of course, the longest tenured Major Leaguer in Dodger camp is today’s starting catcher Brad Ausmus, who has logged 16 years and 70 days in the big leagues, just ahead of Manny Ramirez’s 16 years and 33 days. Ausmus is 50 games away from 2,000 in his career and is tied with Benito Santiago for eighth on the all-time games caught list with 1,917.

LYONS DEN: The Dodgers would like to welcome Steve Lyons back to Camelback Ranch – Glendale. Lyons was here when camp opened to shoot pieces for PRIME TICKET and will broadcast games for PRIME TICKET with Josh Suchon today vs. Colorado and with Ken Levine vs. Arizona tomorrow.

OLD SKIPPER, NEW SKIPPER: The Dodgers would like to welcome former manager Jim Tracy to Camelback Ranch. Last season, Tracy took over the Rockies in May, led them to the playoffs and was named NL Manager of the Year. While in Los Angeles from 2001-2005, Tracy went 427-383 (.527), which is the eighth-best winning percentage all time among Dodger Managers with a minimum of 50 games managed. Current Manager Joe Torre finished third in the NL Manager of the Year balloting in 2009 and his 179-145 record (.552) ranks him sixth among Dodger skippers in winning percentage.

COME OUT TO THE PARK!: Dodger single-game tickets are now on sale at Dodgers.com or over the phone by calling 866-DODGERS. On Saturday, more than 3,500 rabid fans showed up to purchase single-game tickets at Dodger Stadium at an on-sale event in Lot P with Dodger legends Ron Cey and “Sweet” Lou Johnson and Opening Day sold out in less than 10 minutes.

VEGAS, BABY:  Tickets are currently on sale for the Dodgers vs. Reds contest in Las Vegas on March 31. Los Angeles will send a split squad to Cashman Field with the rest of the club remaining in Glendale to battle the Giants.  Tickets can be purchased online at Dodgers.com and over the phone at 1-800-745-3000.

This week we’re psyched to have the witty Orel from the always irreverent Dodgers blog Sons of Steve Garvey and @sosgsosg participating.  The Sons keep it lighthearted and fun throughout the season, always looking for pop culture tie-ins and intelligent, humorous banter at every turn.  Their site is one of our favorites to check in at during a game, and theirs was the site that we first looked to when trying to figure out our place in the Dodgers blogging landscape.

Note: Keep in mind that Orel kept to the spirit of the project by answering his questions via Twitter, so he had to make do with the 140 character limit for each answer. 

Five Tweets with… Dodgers Blogger Orel from SonsOfSteveGarvey.com

1. What excites you the most about this season?

Kemp-Ethier-Manny 2-3-4. Healthy Furcal. Kershaw nominated for sainthood.

2. What is your biggest concern about this season?

Stagnation or injuries, or in Martin’s case, both. That the rotation falls apart. That the team becomes a sideshow.

3. What is your earliest baseball memory?

John Candelaria no-hitting the Dodgers http://bit.ly/9OFGiJ. He has been on my ON NOTICE list ever since.

4. What is your favorite baseball memory?

Gibson, of course. I was screaming and running around an empty dorm like an inmate freed from the asylum.

5. Why do you love the game?

Stadiums, hot dogs and the seventh-inning stretch. Robinson, Clemente and Ichiro. And yes, even Candelaria.

“If that’s the length of his absence, making a trade seems unlikely and unwise. You don’t give up a young player to plug a two-week hole.

And, really, there is no catcher of significance left who’s a free agent. The only free-agent catcher of any renown is Paul Bako, and the Dodgers have already had that experience. He was a backup to Dioner Navarro in 2005.”

I’m with you, Steve.  Bako is no better than the young A.J. Ellis.  The Dodgers obviously feel comfortable with the kid (after all, they traded top catching prospect Carlos Santana for Casey Blake in 2008), with backup support from the 41 year-old Brad Ausmus.  Ausmus should be a fantastic influence on Ellis, while he tries to make the adjustment to being an everyday catcher at the big league level.  Here’s a little more on Ellisfrom Ken Gurnick:

Ellis, 28, was an 18th-round pick out of Austin Peay University in the 2003 First-Year Player Draft who has a .278 career Minor League batting average and more career walks than strikeouts.

He hit .314 in 90 games at Triple-A Albuquerque last year, leading the organization with a .438 on-base percentage. He had brief callups in 2008 and ‘09.

Joe Torre is also on board with A.J. Ellis:

“I have no hesitation at all,” Torre said of catching Ellis, who has 12 games of Major League service and a .077 career batting average. “He handles a game well. He’s a tireless worker. Being a former catcher, I know how important the defensive end is. He’s made himself a good hitter, he’s a grinding type of guy. I’ve seen him enough to be comfortable with it.”

Here’s my real worry with this situation right now: I’m a little worried that Martin totally downplayed the abdomen issue when speaking to reporters the first time, calling it “not anything major.”  Yes, I’m encouraged that he thinks he’ll be back by opening day, but abdomen injuries like this are tricky and Martin has never had to deal with something like this on a professional level.

When I read quotes from Martin about his desire to continue to bulk up while resting his abdomen like, “I know my guns are going to be even bigger,” I worry that he’s not looking at potential causes for the injury (over-training) and potentially being naive when it comes to his recovery.

My opinion?  Take all the time you need, Russell.  If Martin doesn’t rest enough, comes back early and promptly gets hurt, the Dodgers are screwed and Martin may be battling through this thing for months, if not longer.  That’s another story, and one I would prefer to not think about right now.

Photo Credit: Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers

CHALK IT UP!: The Dodgers capitalized on three walks and rallied for four runs in the fifth to defeat the White Sox 4-2 in a seven-inning “B” game this morning. Seven Dodger pitchers tossed 1.0 inning each with LHP Eric Stults (12 pitches) getting the start and allowing one hit with two strikeouts. RHP Charlie Haeger (24 pitches) allowed a leadoff solo homer to Josh Kroeger and walked a batter in his inning of work and RHP Travis Schlichting allowed an unearned run on two hits. SS Ivan DeJesus’bases-loaded single in the fifth plated two for Los Angeles ’ first hit of the game and 3B Russell Mitchell followed with an RBI double. RHP Carlos Monasterios picked up the win with a perfect fourth inning and LHP Armando Zerpa, RHP Javy Guerra and RHP Kenley Jansen closed out the game with 3.0 scoreless innings.

COOPERSTOWN, ARIZONA: The Dodgers welcomed two Hall of Famers to the Ranch today with broadcaster Jaime Jarrin arriving in town and left-hander Sandy Koufax returning for a second day of work with Dodger pitchers.

START SPREADING THE NEWS:With the Ballpark at Camelback Ranch as the background, Matt Kemp took part in an afternoon photo shoot for GQ Magazine. Kemp’s spread highlighted polo shirts and will be newsstands this May. The Dodgers also welcomed ESPN’s E:60, MLB International, NESN and Time Warner’s Dodgers on Demand to the Ranch today.

GOOD ‘OL OISK: The Dodgers would like to congratulate legendary pitcher Carl Erskine on winning the 2010 Sachem Award, which is the highest honor the state of Indiana can bestow. The award, which was given to Erskine today by Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels, is presented annually to recognize a lifetime of excellence and moral virtue that has brought credit and honor to Indiana . Previous recipients include college basketball coaching legend John Wooden and the Reverend Theodore M. Hesburgh, C.S.C., president emeritus of the University of Notre Dame. Erskine, 83, pitched for Brooklyn and Los Angeles from 1948-59 and won 122 games, pitched in five World Series, made the National League All-Star team and threw two no-hitters.

VEGAS, BABY: Tickets went on sale yesterday for the Dodgers-Reds heavyweight battle in Las Vegas on March 31. Los Angeles will send a split squad to Cashman Field with the rest of the club remaining in Glendale to battle the Giants.  Tickets can be purchased online at Ticketmaster and over the phone at 1-800-745-3000.

IT’S ABOUT THAT TIME: Yes, the Dodgers won the “B” game today, but the real Cactus League slate officially kicks off on Friday when the Dodgers play a “road” game against the Chicago White Sox. As of this moment, Vicente Padilla will start the contest for the Dodgers and be followed to the mound by RHP Ramon Ortiz, RHP Charlie Haeger, RHP Luis Ayala, RHP Scott Dohmann and RHP Jon Link. The White Sox are scheduled to counter with LHP Mark Buehrle, RHP Jeff Marquez, RHP Scott Linebrink, RHP J.J. Putz, RHP Santo Luis and RHP Freddie Dolsi.

HOME SWEET HOME:The Dodgers kick off their home slate at Camelback Ranch on Saturday against the White Sox as LHP Eric Stults makes his first official start of Spring after taking the hill in today’s “B” game. RHP James McDonald, RHP Eric Gagne, RHP Jeff Weaver, RHP Cory Wade, RHP Travis Schlichting and RHP Russ Ortiz are also scheduled to pitch for Los Angeles . RHP Freddy Garcia will take the hill for Chicago .

SINGLE-GAME TICKETS ON SALE MARCH 6: Dodgers single-game tickets go on sale on Saturday, March 6 at 10:00 a.m. online, by phone and at Dodger Stadium. The team will hold an on-sale event in Lot P at Dodger Stadium with Dodger legends Ron Cey and “Sweet” Lou Johnson, and all fans purchasing at least one ticket will receive two free tickets to the Dodgers’ exhibition home opener against the Indians on April 1. Dodger Dogs will be available for $2 and merchandise kiosks will be open as well.

LEARNING FROM THE BEST:  The Dodgers would like to welcome Hall of Fame left-hander Sandy Koufax to Camelback Ranch. The legendary southpaw talked pitching with Eric Stults, Josh Lindblom and Jon Link before leading a MAP (Mental Approach to Pitching) session for all pitchers prior to the morning workout. He then observed hurlers Lindblom, Scott Elbert, Chad Billingsley and Ramon Troncoso during their bullpens, spending some extra time with Billingsley and taking in Maury Wills’ bunting drills at Maury’s Pit.

DIALING IT UP:  Today the Dodgers welcomed broadcasters Charley Steiner and Pepe Yñiguez to Camelback Ranch.  Steiner will kick off his sixth season and Yñiguez his 13th year with the club on the Dodger Radio Network’s broadcast of the Spring Opener this Friday on KABC 790 and KHJ 930 in Los Angeles.

THE SITUATION:  The Dodgers opened this morning’s practice with a situational hitting and baserunning drill that had players work on bunting, hit-and-run plays, advancing a baserunner from second to third base and bringing a runner in from third on a contact play.  The drill, devised by Bob Schaefer and Jeff Pentland, comprised of four teams chosen by captains Rafael Furcal, Matt Kemp, James Loney and Russell Martin with points awarded for successful conversions. Today’s winners were Team Loney and Team Furcal with the round robin competition continuing over the next few days.

MONEY BALL: In his recently published book Gold Mine 2010, baseball analyst Bill James rated the Dodgers No. 11 in “Young Talent Inventory” overall and first in young pitching talent.  Making James’ top 20 list of young Major League ballplayers was center fielder Matt Kemp, who ranked No. 11.

GOOD ‘OL OISK: The Dodgers would like to congratulate legendary pitcher Carl Erskine on winning the 2010 Sachem Award, which is the highest honor the state of Indiana can bestow. The award, which will be given to Erskine tomorrow by Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels, is presented annually to recognize a lifetime of excellence and moral virtue that has brought credit and honor to Indiana. Previous recipients include college basketball coaching legend John Wooden and the Reverend Theodore M. Hesburgh, C.S.C., president emeritus of the University of Notre Dame. Erskine, 83, pitched for Brooklyn and Los Angeles from 1948-59 and won 122 games, pitched in five World Series, made the National League All-Star team and threw two no-hitters.

BRING YOUR “A” GAME: Tomorrow at 11:00 a.m. on Field 1, the Dodgers and White Sox will square off in the first “B” game of Spring Training. Lefty Eric Stults will get the start with RHP Travis Schlichting, LHP Brent Leach, RHP Carlos Monasterios, LHP Armando Zerpa, RHP Javy Guerra and RHP Kenley Jansen scheduled to pitch.  The White Sox will counter with Gavin Floyd, Carlos Torres, Daniel Cabrera and Daniel Hudson.

IT’S ABOUT THAT TIME: Yes, there is a “B” game scheduled for March 2, but the real Cactus League slate officially kicks off March 5 when the Dodgers play a “road” game against the Chicago White Sox. As of this moment, Vicente Padilla will start the contest for the Dodgers and be followed to the mound by RHP Ramon Ortiz, RHP Charlie Haeger, RHP Luis Ayala, RHP Scott Dohmann and RHP Jon Link. The White Sox are scheduled to counter with LHP Mark Buehrle, RHP Jeff Marquez, RHP Scott Linebrink, RHP J.J. Putz, RHP Santo Luis and RHP Freddie Dolsi.

SINGLE-GAME TICKETS ON SALE MARCH 6: Dodgers single-game tickets go on sale on Saturday, March 6 at 10:00 a.m. online, by phone and at Dodger Stadium. The team will hold an on-sale event in Lot P at Dodger Stadium with Dodger legends Ron Cey and “Sweet” Lou Johnson, and all fans purchasing at least one ticket will receive two free tickets to the Dodgers’ exhibition home opener against the Indians on April 1. Dodger Dogs will be available for $2 and merchandise kiosks will be open as well.

This week we’re thrilled to have Eric Stephen from the influential Dodgers blog True Blue LA and @trueblueLA with us.  I love True Blue LA for many reasons, but a big one is how Eric and the team break down the numbers behind the Dodgers wins or losses, and then tell us all what they think it means for the team and for us as fans.  Their analytical look at what makes the Dodgers tick is fantastic, and their coverage only deepens our love and understanding of the game.

Note: Keep in mind that Eric kept to the spirit of the project by answering his questions via Twitter, so he had to make do with the 140 character limit for each answer. 

Five Tweets with… Dodgers Blogger Eric Stephen of TrueBlueLA.com

1. What excites you the most about this season?

Excited for Billingsley & Kershaw to lead rotation, Broxton to lead best bullpen in MLB, & the 90-HR outfield to win 3rd straight NL West.

2. What is your biggest concern about this season?

Biggest concern is health & potential regression of the 35+ crew (Manny, Blake, Kuroda), & that Vicente Padilla turns back to a pumpkin.

3. What is your earliest baseball memory?

Earliest game was 1982 with my cousin. I was 6. We were busy making jokes rather than watching the game. 1985 was first full year as fan.

4. What is your favorite baseball memory?

Kirk Gibson home run won’t be topped. Also loved Franklin Stubbs grand slam to beat Cardinals 7/6/88 (at game with my older brother).

5. Why do you love the game?

I love the pace of the game; no clock, no need to rush, anything is possible. Crack of the bat is one of the sweetest sounds in the world.

VALLEY OF THE SUN?: An expected inch of rain and unplayable fields forced the Dodgers indoors on Sunday, marking the first time that the club has had an all-indoor workout at Camelback Ranch.  Fresh off his curveball tutorial from Sandy Koufax at last night’s Safe at Home Charity event, Clayton Kershaw joined Eric Gagné, Josh Towers, Russ Ortiz, Jeff Weaver, Charlie Haeger, Jon Link, Brent Leach, Cory Wade, Juan Perez, Javy Guerra and Kenley Jansen in throwing bullpens in the covered batting cages this afternoon.  Position players followed with a round of batting practice in the cages.

SUN SALUTATION: Local instructor Katherine Roberts led approximately 30 Dodgers in a 45-minute abdominal and lower back yoga session this morning. The Dodgers started offering yoga classes last season and will continue to have classes available to Major Leaguers every Sunday and to minor leaguers every Wednesday during Spring Training.

MAJORING IN THE MINOR: Baseball America’s top-rated Dodger prospect, Dee Gordon, and top picks from the last three drafts Aaron Miller, Ethan Martin and Chris Withrow were among 48 minor league players to kick off early workouts on the minor league side of the complex yesterday. The rest of the minor league pitchers and catchers will report on March 4 with the full squad beginning workouts on March 10.

GOOD ‘OL OISK: The Dodgers would like to congratulate legendary pitcher Carl Erskine on winning the 2010 Sachem Award, which is the highest honor the state of Indiana can bestow. The award, which will be given to Erskine this week by Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels, is presented annually to recognize a lifetime of excellence and moral virtue that has brought credit and honor to Indiana. Previous recipients include college basketball coaching legend John Wooden and the Reverend Theodore M. Hesburgh, C.S.C., president emeritus of the University of Notre Dame. Erskine, 83, pitched for Brooklyn and Los Angeles from 1948-59 and won 122 games, pitched in five World Series, made the National League All-Star team and threw two no-hitters.

BRING YOUR “A” GAME: On Tuesday, the Dodgers and White Sox will square off in the first “B” game of Spring Training. Lefty Eric Stults will get the start with Travis Schlichting, Brent Leach, Carlos Monasterios, Armando Zerpa, Javy Guerra and Kenley Jansen scheduled to pitch.  The White Sox will counter with Gavin Floyd, Carlos Torres, Daniel Cabrera and Daniel Hudson.

IT’S ABOUT THAT TIME: Yes, there is a “B” game scheduled for March 2, but the real Cactus League slate officially kicks off March 5 when the Dodgers play a “road” game against the Chicago White Sox. As of this moment, Vicente Padilla will start the contest for the Dodgers and be followed to the mound by RHP Ramon Ortiz, RHP Charlie Haeger, RHP Luis Ayala, RHP Scott Dohmann and RHP Jon Link. The White Sox are scheduled to counter with LHP Mark Buehrle, RHP Jeff Marquez, RHP Scott Linebrink, RHP J.J. Putz, RHP Santo Luis and RHP Freddie Dolsi.

LITTLE BIG LITTLE: Tonight from 6:00-8:00 p.m. James Loney, Matt Kemp, Chad Billingsley, Russell Martin, James McDonald, Clayton Kershaw, Cory Wade, Blake DeWitt, Brent Leach, Trayvon Robinson and Kenley Jansen are scheduled to appear at a fundraiser for the Ahwatukee Little League at 4700 East Warner Road in Phoenix .  Autographs are available for a $5 donation and the event will occur rain or shine. Dodger Assistant GM, Scouting Logan White and Assistant GM, Player Development De Jon Watson are permanent fixtures in the grandstands at Ahwatukee to scout this hotbed of amateur talent which includes their sons Logan Jr. and Michael. 

SINGLE-GAME TICKETS ON SALE MARCH 6: Dodgers single-game tickets go on sale on Saturday, March 6 at 10:00 a.m. online, by phone and at Dodger Stadium. The team will hold an on-sale event in Lot P at Dodger Stadium with Dodger legends Ron Cey and “Sweet” Lou Johnson, and all fans purchasing at least one ticket will receive two free tickets to the Dodgers’ exhibition home opener against the Indians on April 1. Dodger Dogs will be available for $2 and merchandise kiosks will be open as well.