Tongue Tied
There he was, a baseball icon. A player that was not only there, but lived through the discrimination and injustices that African American ballplayers endured during the 40’s and 50’s. A man that roomed with Jackie Robinson and Roy Campanella. He is the last link to those two that still works with the Dodgers. Don Newcombe is a true legend, and I got to meet him briefly.
Lou Johnson arranged it. He introduced us. I was tongue tied at first. I didn’t know what to say, but eventually I was able to overcome my nervousness. I thanked him for his great work with so many that battled addictions. I told him that I admired his courage and tenacity. He turned to me and simply said, “thank you.”
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| Don Newcombe asked my brother Taylor to take a seat in the golf cart as we posed for this photo. Taylor to his right and I am to his left |
The Offense is Coming Around
A dodger offense today showed some promise. Uribe banged out two hits, Kemp did too including a 420 foot blast to left center. Also with two hits was James Loney and Ivan de Jesus Jr, who is seriously vying for a roster spot. Tony Gwynn Jr. started in right field today, drawing a walk, and successfully sacrificing a runner over. Gwynn motored around from first to third on a sharp single to the outfield. The man can run! Marcus Thames lined out and hit a solid single. Altogether the team rapped out 13 hits in a 6-2 victory.
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| Both Matt Kemp and Marcus Thames had a big day today during the 6-2 Dodger victory over the Chisox |
I’m still concerned with the outfield defense. Matt Kemp got a horrible jump on a catchable ball hit to left center that dropped for a double. Thames made a fine running catch, but also had a poor jump on another fly ball that dropped for a hit.
The pitching looked good. Ted Lilly went 6 innings giving up two earned runs and six hits, striking out five. Scott Elbert continues to impress after his horrid start to this spring. He pitched the eighth inning, striking out two and giving up a lone single. Travis Schlicting and his awesome mullet closed out the ninth inning.
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| Scott Elbert |
Again, attendance at Camelback Ranch was poor. An Announced attendance of 6,037 that I found hard to believe. Here are photos, you be the judge.
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| Logan White |
They have the first part of a 4 part interview with Dodger Assistant General Manager Logan White who says that he believes that the 2010 draft may have been his best ever, even surpassing the draft of 2002. Excellent job guys!
Great pic with Newk. You need to get that framed and put up on the wall.
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