Dodgers announce 2012 spring training broadcast schedule [Updated]

Now that the silly, lip-synced, concussion-induced, look-at-me professional sport that doesn’t even play in Los Angeles is finally over, we can move on to the world’s greatest game?

Get those big-screen LEDs and plasmas fired up — pitchers and catchers report to Camelback Ranch in Arizona in just two weeks, and on Tuesday, the Dodgers released their spring training broadcast schedule.

Counting their three Freeway Series games against the Angels, the Dodgers will televise 18 spring training games.

The only sigh-inducing element is that Vin Scully will not broadcast any games from Camelback, so he won’t be heard from until April 3 when the Dodgers and Angels meet at Dodger Stadium. Maybe we should have sent him some cookies.

[Updated at 11:35 a.m., Feb. 7: Here's some good news. In a new announcement, the Dodgers said Scully will now broadcast a pair of games from Camelback on March 17 against the Giants and March 18 vs. the Angels.]

There are 13 games scheduled to be carried by Prime Ticket, three on KCAL Channel 9 and two on Fox Sports West. The Dodgers’ new flagship radio station, KLAC-AM (570), will air nine games and Spanish-language station KTNQ-AM (1020) will carry eight.

Once again you won’t see or hear it all, of course. On nine different game days, the Dodgers will be on neither English-speaking TV nor radio.

Scully aside, the Dodgers’ regular-season announcing duos of Charley Steiner and Rick Monday, and Eric Collins and Steve Lyons, will announce the spring broadcasts. Jaime Jarrin and Pepe Yniguez will broadcast the Spanish-language games, with Fernando Valenzeula joining for three games.

The spring opener March 5 against the White Sox will be on radio only. The first televised game is the following day on Prime Ticket with Steiner and Monday.

The complete spring broadcasting schedule can be found here.

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The Dodger who can have the greatest effect on the 2012 season

— Steve Dilbeck

Dodgers web musings: The reviews are in for Frank McCourt and they're all bad (videos)

Not a great day for Frank McCourt to be feeling the love from the media.

Reaction to Commissioner Bud Selig's turning down McCourt’s TV deal was unanimous. As in unanimously bad.

-- The Times’ Bill Plaschke writes that it is over for McCourt, that Major League Baseball simply doesn’t trust him. And why would it?

-- The Times’ T.J. Simers writes McCourt has taken all the joy out of watching the Dodgers.

-- The Times’ Bill Shaikin and David Wharton cover the news angle and writes the next big news day could come when the next team payroll is due June 30.

-- USA Today’s David Leon Moore writes of the sadness in the Dodger Stadium stands as attendance shrinks over displeasure at the McCourt ownership.

-- ESPN/LA’s Tony Jackson writes that it’s time for McCourt to step aside.

-- Steve Garvey, who somehow remains employed by McCourt despite his efforts to buy the team, in a video tells Fox Sports Mark Kriegel that owning the Dodgers just may be his destiny.

And the kids shall lead them: Dee Gordon, Rubby De La Rosa spark Dodgers' 6-2 victory as Matt Kemp homers again

Kids, what are you going to do with them? Play ’em, apparently. Lead them to the field and then let them go.

They worked just fine Tuesday night, those precocious little things. Shortstop Dee Gordon celebrated his first major-league start by collecting hits in his first three at-bats and right-hander Rubby De La Rosa, overcoming the shakiest of beginnings, settled down to win his first career start.

They led the Dodgers to a 6-2 victory over the Phillies, who were kind enough to contribute to the kids’ cause by throwing the all around for a pair of costly errors.

They did get a little assist from that old vet, Matt Kemp, who crushed a two-run homer.

Kemp, of course, is now chiseled. Gordon is a wisp of a shortstop, so thin that as he flew around the basepaths commentator Steve Lyons was worried the Dodgers might need to put rocks in his pockets to prevent him from taking flight.

Gordon became the first Dodger to collect hits in his first three major-league at-bats since Mike Piazza in 1992, which may be the first and last time those two physiques are ever compared again.

A bright spot shines through the Dodgers' despair

We interrupt this daily barrage of the Dodgers’ injury report, ownership meltdown and general you’ve-got-to-be-kidding-me team performance, with something truly different -- good news!

That’s right, boys and girls, there was something positive to take away from the Dodgers’ dismal 8-3 loss to the White Sox on Sunday, other than dodging tornadoes and safely getting out of Chicago.

Jerry Sands.

Yep, the would-be rookie wunderkind had his best weekend. Patience with a player who started last season in Class A might be paying off.

Ever since I started to wonder if all those balls he was hitting to right might be reason to think he’s just not quite ready for prime time, he came through a Chicago weekend where suddenly he was pulling everything.

Dodgers Web musings: Getting all positive on the 2011 Dodgers

T.J. Simers, The Times’ resident optimist, takes a look at the new Dodgers and comes away overflowing with optimism.

At least in his inimitable way.

Wrote Simers on the coming season: "Some fans might be so excited they are even thinking about buying tickets or loaning Frank McCourt money."

Can’t you just smell the fresh-cut grass?

Also on the Web:

-- There are numerous heartfelt tributes to Duke Snider, including at The Times, the New York Times, Newsday, the New York Daily News, MLB.com and ESPN.com.

-- The Canadian Press has the story of the U.S. Ambassador’s plans to place a plaque at the Montreal apartment of Jackie and Rachel Robinson in their honor as part of Black History Month.

-- Dodgers.com’s Ken Gurnick talks to left-hander Scott Elbert and the pressures that apparently led to his leaving the organization last season, for personal reasons that were never explained.

-- The New York Times’ Karen Crouse has a feature on Clayton Kershaw’s life-changing trip to Africa in the off-season with his wife, Ellen.

-- CBS Sports’ Ray Ratto thinks Charlie Sheen would be the ideal new Dodgers owner, because in the troubled actor they would have "someone who would at least make the Dodgers more stable than they already are, because the only thing less stable than the Dodgers ownership in its current state is a solar flare."

-- ESPN L.A.’s Tony Jackson has the details on the Dodgers’ plans for a benefit game March 25 against the Arizona Diamondbacks to benefit the Christina Taylor Green Memorial Fund.

-- Yahoo Sports’ Steve Henson thinks Joe Torre’s cool will work well as commissioner Bud Selig’s new vice president.

-- Fox Sports’ Jon Morosi talks to outfielder Tony Gwynn Jr. about his Hall of Fame father’s battle with cancer, getting cut by the Padres and joining the Dodgers.

-- Baseball Savvy’s Howard Cole gets an insightful interview with Dodgers’ super fan Roberto Baly of Vin Scully is My Homeboy.

-- TrueBlueLA’s Eric Stephen looks at which Dodgers pitchers excelled at getting the called strikeout last season.

Stephen also picks up on Dodgers.com dropping the obnoxious "This Is My Town" slogan and opting for the classic Vin Scully phrase, "It’s Time for Dodger Baseball." That's called progress.

-- Steve Dilbeck

Dodgers Web musings: The dream that is Albert Pujols in blue

Does it have to be pure fantasy? Does the idea of baseball’s best player being signed by the Dodgers have to be automatically dismissed?

As the Los Angeles Times' Jerry Crowe correctly pointed out, if Frank McCourt’s main priority were to deliver a championship to Los Angeles, as he said last week, the Dodgers would be first up if baseball’s best player became a free agent next fall.

Particularly since the game’s biggest spenders -- Yankees, Red Sox and Phillies -- are already set at first base.

The Times’ Bill Shaikin examined the possibility and immediately rejected it, less because of McCourt’s financial woes and ongoing divorce than due to simple history. Even before McCourt’s finances were known, he had never spent $100 million on any player. And Pujols figures to want at least twice that.

Of course, if the McCourts hadn’t pulled more than $100 million out of the team for their grandiose personal use, they’d have a pretty nice start.

Somebody is going to sign the game’s best hitter. ESPN’s Michael Wilbon loves the idea of the Cubs signing Pujols, writing they "should move heaven and earth to sign Albert Pujols, precisely because this could be their best chance to transform not only the team, but the brand."

Wilbon makes his case for the Cubs signing Pujols in a lengthy column. Sons of Steve Garvey took the piece, substituted "Dodgers" for every time "Cubs" were mentioned and said every argument worked for Pujols signing in Los Angeles.

It does too. It’s the old story: If you’re in the second-biggest market in the country, you’re a player in this one. Particularly with your main competition out of the picture.

Alas, it’s the old/new story of lower expectations under McCourt.

Also on the Web:

-- The Times’ T.J. Simers makes his spring-training debut with the Dodgers and immediately wants into the head of Jonathan Broxton.

-- The Times’ Dylan Hernandez already tried the mental approach on right-hander Chad Billingsley.

-- In continuing The Times’ examination of Dodgers’ pitchers, Hernandez -- who really is back from the dead -- also has Hiroki Kuroda working on adding a curveball -- and Don Mattingly taking in his pitchers while standing in the batter’s box.

-- From the Associated Press: Look out world, Manny Ramirez has arrived at Tampa Bay’s training camp with a chip on his shoulder. Located just below the dreadlocks.

-- ESPN in New York has Sandy Koufax offering support to Mets owner Fred Wilpon, his former high school teammate, even though he recommended Koufax invest with Bernard Madoff.

-- Dodgers.com’s Ken Gurnick examines the Dodgers’ catching situation after Russell Martin.

-- Fox Sports West’s Steve Lyons, also a team broadcaster, asks five hard questions of the Dodgers as they open camp.

-- ESPN’s Jon Weisman examines the Dodgers' bullpen situation with the possible loss of Ronald Belisario and decides it may not necessarily make it easier for a second left-hander to make the team.

-- Steve Dilbeck

Andre Ethier, Matt Kemp, Rafael Furcal, Don Mattingly and Steve Dilbeck to appear at Dodgers Community Caravan

You can spend Valentine’s Day with Andre Ethier.

Or, if you prefer, The Times' dashingly handsome Dodgers blogger, Steve Dilbeck.

Here’s the catch: You have to pick up garbage.

The Dodgers’ two-day community caravan will start Feb. 14 with a stop at the Los Angeles River, where Ethier, Don Mattingly, James Loney and Tom Lasorda will be part of a group cleaning up the banks of this majestic … ah, who are we kidding?

Fans who would like to pretend they were convicted of driving under the influence and forced to do community service can register to take part in the event at dodgers.com/caravan. Space is limited to the first 250 fans.

Participants for the second day of the caravan will include Matt Kemp, Rafael Furcal, Tony Gwynn Jr. and Fernando Valenzuela.

Here’s the caravan schedule:

Monday, Feb. 14

Participants: Mattingly, Ethier and Loney; former Dodgers Lasorda, Steve Garvey, Bobby Castillo, Tommy Davis, Kenny Landreaux and Rudy Law; Dodgers broadcaster Steve Lyons.

10 to 11:30 a.m. Los Angeles River Cleanup (Public must pre-register for a chance to participate)

The Dodgers in partnership with the Los Angeles City Council District 1, Councilmember Ed P. Reyes and Los Angeles Conservation Corps/Los Angeles River Keepers will clean up the banks of the L.A. River.

Dodgers fans must pre-register online to participate. The event is open to the first 250 registrants that sign up at www.dodgers.com/caravan.

Noon to 2:30 p.m. Visit to USC University Hospital, the Official Hospital of the Los Angeles Dodgers (Hospital employees only)

The Dodgers will join USC University Hospital public health workers for lunch as a thank you for their dedication to healthcare and research.

3 to 4 p.m. LACER (Literacy, Arts, Culture, Education and Recreation) at Thomas Starr King Middle School (Open to program participants)

LACER, a longstanding Dodgers community partner, provides after-school activities to underserved middle and high school youth. The Dodgers will join the LACER youth in playground activities and gardening.

5 p.m. Lopez Tonight Taping in Burbank

The Dodgers will make an appearance on George Lopez’s national show to share their community service experiences.

 
Tuesday, Feb. 15

Participants: Furcal, Kemp, Gwynn Jr., Jay Gibbons and Gabe Kapler; former Dodgers Valenzuela, Don Newcombe, Ron Cey, Derrel Thomas and Lou Johnson; Dodgers broadcasters Charley Steiner and Pepe Yniguez.

9:30 to 10 a.m. Los Angeles Fire Department, Station 3 (Open to media only)

LAFD Chief Millage Peaks, Councilman Tom La Bonge and Los Bomberos President Phillip Dominguez will join Dodgers General Manager Ned Colletti and Furcal in announcing the donation of a LAFD fire truck to Furcal’s hometown Loma de Cabrera, Dominican Republic.

10:30 a.m. to noon Heal the Bay, Santa Monica (Public must pre-register for a chance to participate)

Dodgers fans will join the Dodgers on a Heal the Bay cleanup at Santa Monica beach. The event is open to the first 750 fans that register online at www.healthebay.org/events. Participants will receive a raffle ticket for a chance to win autographed baseballs, Dodgers tickets and raffle items at the day’s event.

12:30 to 2 p.m. West Valley LAPD (West Valley LAPD Personnel Only)

The Dodgers will join the officers at the West Valley LAPD station for lunch as a thank you for their service in protecting the greater Los Angeles Community.

2:30 to 3:30 p.m. High School Visit (Open to media only)

The Dodgers will surprise the baseball and softball teams of a local high school and offer playing tips and instruction.

4 to 5:15 p.m. Dodgers Dreamfield Dedication Ceremony at Northridge Recreation Center

The Dodgers Dream Foundation will dedicate its 10th Dodgers Dreamfield at the Northridge Recreation Center. Councilman Greig Smith will join, and youngsters from the community will participate in the field’s first clinic with the Dodgers, who will instruct them on the fundamentals of baseball.
 

-- Dylan Hernandez 

Dodgers' Web musings: Thoughts now turn to next season and the need for a major bat

Things are so bad for the Dodgers these days -- hey, I’m not even talking divorce court -- they’re almost as far out of the wild-card race (eight games) as the division lead (nine).

They are down and not getting up. Further evidence for the bleeding-blue faithful is offered by SI.com’s Tom Verducci, who wrote that since the formation of the eight-team playoff format, only one of baseball’s 112 teams made the postseason after starting Sept. 1 more than 3½ games out (the ’07 Rockies were five back).

Which immediately turns the mind to … next season.

And a pair of Dodgers beat writers already agree the main focus will be acquiring a major bat for the middle of the lineup. You know, like Manny Ramirez used to be.

-- ESPN/LA.com’s Tony Jackson thinks if they could figure out the middle problem now, they might even still have a shot at a miracle comeback.

-- Dodgers.com’ Ken Gurnick writes there is no one in the farm system the Dodgers can turn to for a middle-order bat, and history shows the more they spend on a free agent, the greater their failure.

Also on the Web:

-- The Boston Globes’ Nick Cafardo previews Manny’s latest return to Fenway on Friday by talking to Dodgers’ third base coach Larry Bowa, who among other things, said Manny went to manager Joe Torre in Colorado and said he didn’t think he could play its big outfield.

-- Foxsportswest.com’s Steve Lyons, also the Dodgers’ TV color commentator, has written the Dodgers off this season in a piece about Manny, saying he wasn’t worth the money but he’d do it all over again.

-- ESPN.com’s Jerry Crasnick is not convinced Don Mattingly is a lock to succeed Torre, and said Tim Wallach continues to garner fans managing in triple-A Albuquerque.

-- TrueBlueLA.com’s Eric Stephen gives a long look at James Loney and where the Dodgers should go from here with the first baseman.

-- Foxsports.com’s Jon Paul Morosi said the Arizona Diamondbacks not only want to interview Logan White for their general manager’s job, but his fellow Dodgers assistant general manager De Jon Watson.

-- Steve Dilbeck

A dimension not only of sight and sound, but of baseball

Bizarro World comes to baseball …

Or, what was that?

Umpires have huddled before and overturned a decision. Have sent runners back, decided a fielder’s foot was off the bag.

Not sure, however, I’ve ever seen umpires huddle after a third out has been called and the players have left the field, and then overruled the call of the umpire closest to the play.

Joe Torre seemed OK with the decision, based upon his mild reaction. I’m thinking Bobby Cox would have gone ballistic. Tommy Lasorda would have at least destroyed a mascot.

Torre just met with the umps and headed calmly back to into the dugout. Even though the decision meant the Reds had just tied the game Wednesday in the bottom of the fourth.

The situation: With the bases loaded, pitcher Aaron Harang lined a drive to right field. Andre Ethier came in, did an awkward forward knee slide and appeared to spear the drive.

It was ruled a catch for the third out and the Dodgers ran to the dugout. Reds Manager Dusty Baker was convinced the ball had been trapped. The ball did bounce, but it seemed to go from the web of Ethier’s glove to its palm.

Dodgers broadcaster Steve Lyons, who spent nine seasons in the major leagues, said he had never seen umpires make such a ruling. He argued that for all they knew, Ethier could have fielded the ball and thrown the runner out at second.

Still, the huddled umpires decided the ball was trapped, allowed each runner to advance a base, one run to score, and had the Dodgers came back onto the field. To right-hander Hiroki Kuroda’s credit, he struck out Chris Dickerson to end the inning.

Somewhere, Rod Serling was smiling.

-- Steve Dilbeck