01-12-08 - Final Tune-Up Before Spring Training

No one has written a lot about the fact that the Dodgers are currently conducting their first Winter Mini Camp, but I think it is very significant.  According to Ken Gurnick of Dodgers.com, De Jon Watson, assistant general manager for player development, has the cream of the farm system crop at Dodger Stadium this week and next for the organization’s first winter mini-camp.  The list includes pitchers Mario Alvarez, Scott Elbert, Clayton Kershaw, James McDonald, Jon Meloan, Greg Miller, Justin Orenduff, Ramon Troncoso and Cory Wade; infielders Josh Bell, Ivan DeJesus Jr., Blake DeWitt, Chin-Lung Hu, Andy LaRoche, Josh Paul; catcher Lucas May and outfielders Delwyn Young and Xavier Paul.  The teachers include all of the organization’s Minor League roving instructors, and even some of the Dodgers’ Major Leaguers have turned out, from coaches Don Mattingly and Rick Honeycutt to players Andruw Jones, Matt Kemp, James Loney and Brad Penny.

Now, I remember Tommy Lasorda having voluntary winter workouts with the players who lived in LA, but this is something that De Jon Watson wants to make an annual tradition.  Think about it, the kids are exposed to what it is like in the major leagues through training in Dodger Stadium, listening to speakers like Duke Snider, John Wooden and Tommy Lasorda and having classes on how to conduct yourself as well as working on fundamentals.  A few of the Dodgers’ regulars are there too and hopefully this will help bond the youngsters with some of the starters.  At least, maybe it will teach the youngsters more appreciation for what they have.   I am 54 years old and it annoys me to no end how so many of the youngsters in every sport feel a certain sense of “entitlement.”   They almost believe they don’t have to earn anything - at least that what it seems like to me. Read the rest of this entry »