Notes from Spring Training: Day Five

From the Dodgers official Spring Training media notes for Thursday, February 24:

LOOKS LIKE WE’RE JUST ABOUT SET: Dodger infielders Rafael Furcal and Ronnie Belliard arrived in camp this morning along with non-roster players Doug Mientkiewicz, Brian Giles and Russell Mitchell. While Giles was answering questions about the last time he was counted on as a left-handed pinch-hitter (1997 with Cleveland), Dodger outfielder Manny Ramirez came over and gave him a big hug, declaring “We go waaaaay back.” Giles and Ramirez were teammates in Cleveland from 1995-98. The only player who has not yet reported to camp is reliever Ronald Belisario, who is still stuck with visa problems. Dodger starter Jeff Weaver has left camp to be with his wife Jillian as the couple is expecting their first baby any minute.    

LINE ‘EM UP!: Dodger Manager Joe Torre announced the start of his Spring Training rotation today and he and pitching coach Rick Honeycutt have tapped Vicente Padillato start the March 5 contest against the White Sox. Following Padilla in the starting rotation to start the Cactus League will be Eric Stults, Clayton Kershaw, Chad Billingsley and Hiroki Kuroda. No word yet on who will pitch in the “B” game on March 2, but it’s safe to say that those heading to Taiwan will be looking to increase their workload at that point.

POINT AND SHOOT: MLB Network today announced that it will be televising 78 Spring Training contests over four weeks beginning March 2. The Dodger games will air on MLB Network five times via tape delay: March 6 vs. Chicago (AL), March 9 vs. Colorado, March 17 vs. Chicago (AL), March 26 vs. Kansas City and April 3 vs. the Angels. In addition, MLB Network will also broadcast the Dodgers and Diamondbacks live from Camelback Ranch – Glendale on March 10 at 3 p.m. EST/12 p.m. PST.

KODACHROME: Saturday morning is 2010 photo day for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Among the many media and sports entities that will be on site are KCAL, Sony, Associated Press, Getty Images, MLB Photos, UPI, US Presswire and Topps.

IT’S TIME FOR DODGER BASEBALL: The Dodgers and White Sox will face off for seven innings in the first “B” game of Spring Training on March 2 at 11:00 am on Field 1.

LEGENDS NIGHT: Boy is that an understatement. This Saturday, Dodger Hall of Famer Sandy Koufax and Dodger Manager Joe Torrewill raise money and awareness for Torre’s foundation “Safe at Home” by taking part in an event at LA Live’s Nokia Theater. Tickets can be purchased via ticketmaster.com or charge-by-phone lines at (800) 745-3000.                                                                   

JOE COLLEGE: This Sunday is the inaugural “Dodgertown Classic” at Dodger Stadium, featuring two of our local Pac-10 schools in action on the diamond. The University of Southern California will take on the University of California, Los Angeles in the main event at 2 p.m. The undercard at 10 a.m. will put baseball powers Vanderbilt and Oklahoma State on display. Tickets for the event cost $5 and can be purchased in advance at dodgers.com and in person at USC and UCLA campus box offices. Day of game tickets can be purchased at Dodger Stadium for $10.

SINGLE-GAME TICKETS ON SALE MARCH 6: Dodgers single-game tickets go on sale on Saturday, March 6 at 10:00 am 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.

LOOKING FOR A TEE TIME?: Eric Karros will host the 12th annual St. Francis Medical Center Foundation Golf Classic tomorrow at Trump National Golf Course in Rancho Palos Verdes . Proceeds will benefit outreach programs and charitable care for children and families in the Southeast Los Angeles community. For more information contact Grace Mendez, SFMC Foundation, (310) 900-7331.