NOTE: This is an update of a blog I published in 2017. Evan B wrote about Vero Beach and said there was no place like it. I totally agree. I have been to Vero Beach over a dozen times… maybe 20, I really can’t say. The year before the Dodgers moved to Arizona, we were looking at condos in that area. Fortunately, we could not afford it at the time. My wife, son, and I were at the last game ever at Vero Beach, and it was bittersweet.
As I mentioned, I was at the Dodgers’ last spring training game in Vero Beach on March 17, 2008, in Holman Stadium, located in the heart of Dodgertown. It was standing-room only!
The stadium had 6,500 seats, but I would not be surprised if there were 10,000 people in attendance. That, in itself, was unusual because, in most prior years, an afternoon game might draw only 2,000 or 3,000 people. It wasn’t a cash cow for the Dodgers, but it was part of the charm of Dodgertown. Eventually, the Dodgers had to leave Vero Beach for financial and logistical reasons, but it was unbelievable while it lasted.
I knew I was watching history in the making as Carl Erskine played the National Anthem on his Harmonica and then Tommy, “The Only Tommy,” addressed the crowd and said, “I know you will have another team here someday, but if you don’t root for the Dodgers, you won’t get into heaven.” It was a magical day, one that will never be repeated – I can’t remember who even won, but in Spring Training, it doesn’t matter anyway.
For several years, Roger Sobin, aka/RogerDodger and AnewBlueDay (God rest his soul), was my Spring Training Partner, but he was unable to come that year, so my wife and son were there with me. They both understood this was the end of an era. “There is so much history here and you can feel it when you walk around.” When you set foot in Dodgertown, you know you are on hallowed ground.
Holman Stadium was built in 1953 from an abandoned Naval base to accommodate spring training for the Brooklyn Dodgers as part of Historic Dodgertown. In addition to the Dodgers’ spring games, it was the home of the Vero Beach Devil Rays, previously the Vero Beach Dodgers of the Florida State League, through the 2008 season.
As I walked around the fields early in the morning, chatting with the grounds crew, beat writers, and other fans like me, in the stillness of the morning, you could almost see the ghosts of Gil Hodges, Don Drysdale, Roy Campanella, Jim Gilliam, Pee Wee Reese, and many others walking with you step-by-step. But, of course, you could certainly hear them.
“Hey, Batter, Batter.”
“I’ll put the next one in your ear.” (That was Drysdale)
“Watch for the pickoff signal.”
I can still hear them talking – maybe it’s the voices in my head! But they are good voices. I am saddened that Vero Beach is no longer home to the Dodgers, but it was a decision that had to be made.
I was fortunate to go to the last game at Vero Beach and the first game at Glendale. Camelback Ranch is also a special place, but no ghosts are talking there… yet!
Enjoy a few photos from Vero Beach. Spring Training is almost upon us.
Derek Lowe is signing a ball for my son.
The first 17 posts were from 2017.
Discussion (35)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Glad the drama is over. Three-day weekend even here at the VA. No PT until Tuesday. I have been cleared to get out of bed on my own and use the walker without supervision. Huge step forward.
According to multiple reports, Sasaki will be getting a $6.5 million signing bonus from the Dodgers. The Dodgers are reported to have made a trade with the Philadelphia Phillies for more international pool money The Dodgers are trading minor league outfielder Dylan Campbell to the Phillies in a deal that’ll net them international bonus pool space, reports Kiley McDaniel of ESPN..
Japanse right-hander Roki Sasaki has announced on Instagram that he is signing with the Dodgers.
It’s over. Roki is a Dodger. It’s official now
Just make up your mind already. This is turning into another circus like the first time Leboring James was a free agent. Sasaki has been very good in Japan. No guarantees he is the same guy here. But there is always that hope. But I am old enough to remember Kazuharu Ishii, who was a total bust.
Per mlbtraderumors, Blue Jays acquired $2M in international bonus pool from the Guardians.
At least if we don’t get Sasaki, he won’t be in San Diego.
If he decides on Toronto, the Blue Jays should swallow hard, give Vlad Jr whatever he wants and then sign Alonso and Bregman. That would make them relevant again.
I can’t confirm the destination but I just saw a plane fly over heading North East.
BREAKING NEWS!!!!!!!!!
As just reported on the MLB Network by John Paul Morosi,the Padres are OUT on Sasaki and will be signing International players. At the meeting with Dodger players Saski was impressed with Yamamoto. Get ready Dodgers fans to welcome ROKI SASAKI!!! As I predicted.
The Dodgers are the team that needs Roki Sasaki the least…
And that may be why the Dodgers wind up with Sasaki.
Even if he chooses the Padres, we’ll be rooting for the overdogs for years to come.
Sasaki watch:
Right now it’s 12:42 pm, Friday in Japan, 7:42 pm, Thursday in LA.
Will he wait until midnight so two teams turn into pumpkins?
The wait for Roki Sasaki may almost be over.
“According to Sponichi, a major Japanese daily sports newspaper, Roki Sasaki is expected to make his decision on Thursday, Jan. 16 (Friday, Jan. 17 in Japan).
Sponichi posted the front page of their newspaper with a caption that translates from Japanese to English as: “It has been reported in today’s Tokyo edition dated the 17th that pitcher Roki Sasaki (23), who is aiming to transfer to the majors from Lotte via the posting system, will decide on his transfer destination on the 16th (17th Japan time).”
That would mean Sasaki’s decision would come sometime on Thursday”.
Never had a chance to visit Vero. I always wanted to. The one time I went to Camelback, which is weird because I lived in Phoenix for 12 years, it was a nice experience. Got a few autographs and talked to a couple of nice people. Met Rick Monday, which was really cool. Only been to Florida once in my life, and that was when the band I was in was playing at a hotel in Orlando. Did get to see Church Street Station. What an awesome place. A lot of country stars have played there. Went to Canaveral too. Winker re-signs with the Mets.
I started reading the comments and nearly had a heart attack.
A comment from MJ and one from Bobbie17 – then I saw one from me that I hadn’t made and wondered what was going on lol
Just read it’s an updated 2017 post!!!
Come on Roki you know where you should sign just get on with it already!
From what we know, a life enjoyed. Earth time worked out well for Uecker.
Uecker was one of a kind. A joy to listen to on the radio, and one of the funnier interviews Johnny Carson ever had. Also starred for six seasons in the TV sitcom, Mr. Belvedere. His portrayal of Harry Doyle in the Major League movies was classic.
Baseball funny man, Bob Uecker passed away this morning at the age of 90. Announced by the Brewers this AM. Uecker is in the baseball Hall of Fame and was in the Major League movies. He broadcast games for 54 years. He also appeared in Miller beer commercials that were some of the funniest made. He will be sorely missed. RIP Bob, your in the front row now.
Sorry…., I forgot to put the comments back on…
The game is still played by humans, but the more data they have the better than can do their job, to maximize their strengths and minimize their weaknesses.
Friedman have repeatedly said that it is still about the players who play and that the numbers are just another tool.
I think things are over complicated when you don’t have all the data you need. It’s hard to know how to process all the data, but there are software providers who can now show you a strike zone of each player and tell you what kind of pitch in what area will most likely get a hitter out. When you condense the data into functional information that is easily understood, then you have something that is a thing of beauty that will get you a huge competitive advantage. All teams are using it now, but Theo Epstein, Andrew Friedman, Billy Beane and the St. Louis Cardinals are at the forefront. The Astros are right there too. There are two types of teams: (1) Ones who rely on analytics; and (2) losers!
Basically, in the old days, the pitching coach would say “throw him a curve down and away, he’ll swing and miss”. Now, analytics is basically used to prove that pitching coach was right (or wrong), and tell you precisely how down and how away that curveball should be to maximize your chances at inducing a ground ball or a strikeout.
To me, it’s a no brainer to use analytics to maximize the chance to win.
Just read a story on a recent hire to work in the team’s pitching department. It has a pitching DEPARTMENT. Reading the story, I couldn’t help think that there are too many cooks in this kitchen. Too much analysis, thinking. I think all the analysis has gone too far. It’s supposed to be a a help to augment a pitcher’s natural abilities, but it sure seems too complicated. I wonder how much $ the department is costing the team. A whole bunch, I bet. I like the idea of development, but why so many brains to do what appears to be a relatively simple task?
I actually like it, as long as they are united in what they are doing. Young guys need a lot of support and while too many cooks do spoil the stew, the Bible says “For lack of guidance a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisers.” — Proverbs 11:14
Hopefully one listens to those advisers and they are the right ones.
Pitching development is relatively simple?
What aspect?
Installing a pitching schedule? The mechanics? The strategy? The arm health? The pitch development? The off-season programs? The learning opposing hitter tendencies? Dealing with fatigue?
Just checking?
You know, baseball has been around a long time and there have been pitchers pitching the whole time. Now we are told that we need meta-analyses, an R&D department, “tunneling” (see linked article:
http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=31030), and a bunch of other stuff that may or may not actually bear any relationship to, you know, actually pitching.
A pitching coach has historically been able to help with all of the things that you have mentioned. It now takes a village to quote a controversial former first lady.
Baseball is in the final analysis a “throw ball/hit ball” game. I sometimes think that SABRnerds are overcomplicating things for their own purposes. If you turn baseball into a game that becomes more about analysis and numbers than the guys who actually play the game, then the SABRguys become the story and not the actual players on the field. The Dodgers GM never actually played baseball but has a PhD from Berkeley in economics so that qualifies him to evaluate talent and tell the baseball guys (scouts, coaches, manager and players) how to do their jobs.
Friedman did play and so did a lot of the people with whom he surrounds himself.
Here’s a partial list:
President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman
Special Advisor to the Chairman Tommy Lasorda
Special Advisor to the Chairman Don Newcombe
General Manager Farhan Zaidi
Senior Vice President, Baseball Operations Josh Byrnes
Vice President, Amateur & International Scouting David Finley
Vice President, Baseball Operations Alex Anthopoulos
Director, Player Personnel Galen Carr
Director, Amateur Scouting Billy Gasparino
Director, Player Development Gabe Kapler
Director, Baseball Operations Alex Tamin
Director, Research & Development Doug Fearing
Director, Baseball Administration Ellen Harrigan
Director, Team Travel Scott Akasaki
Senior Advisor, Baseball Operations Gerry Hunsicker
Special Assistant to the GM Pat Corrales
Special Assistant, Player Personnel Aaron Sele
Special Assistant, Player Personnel Jose Vizcaino
Special Assistant, Pro Scouting & Player Development Jeff Pickler
Senior Scouting Advisor, Dominican Republic Ralph Avila
Director, Baseball Administration Ellen Harriga
The SABR Guys have sure surrounded themselves with a lot of people who are not SABR guys – Most are long-time baseball guys. Zaidi is one of the few that has not played the game and his function is far from that of a regular GM, but let me ask you, how many GM’s (especially good GM’s) have played the game?
Brian Sabean played in HS and College. That’s all.
Brian Cashman played in HS and a little in college.
Theo Epstein only played HS baseball. He’ll never amount to anything either.
Most baseball people call Zaidi BRILLIANT!
I’m sure that Zaidi IS brilliant – he went to MIT and then Berkeley and got a PhD. The question is whether he is best suited to make baseball decisions and to tell baseball people how to do their jobs. Many GM’s weren’t necessarily former major leaguers but have had significant baseball careers in scouting, coaching or managing before becoming GM. Zaidi’s background is hardly typical of the career path for a GM – more typical for becoming a college professor or an economist for a bank or insurance company.
As to the other baseball executives you mentioned, they have baseball background:
Brain Sabean: “Prior to being named GM in 1996, Sabean served one season as the club’s Senior Vice President, Player Personnel in 1995 and enjoyed a three-year stint as Assistant to the General Manager and Vice President of Scouting/Player Personnel. Prior to joining the Giants, Sabean played a vital role in developing the Yankees’ farm system into one of baseball’s finest. During his eight-year tenure with the Yankees, he held several positions of increasing responsibility, including Director of Scouting from 1986-90 and Vice President of Player Development/Scouting from 1990-92. ”
I haven’t had time to look into the others’ background.
My main point was not responded to – namely, ” I sometimes think that SABRnerds are overcomplicating things for their own purposes. If you turn baseball into a game that becomes more about analysis and numbers than the guys who actually play the game, then the SABRguys become the story and not the actual players on the field.”
So – we have a “pitching department” which is OK with me. But what they are doing may or may not actually have something to do with throwing a baseball.
I have been to Vero Beach a couple of times, got the hat, etc.
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Really enjoyed walking around the practice areas, listening to the players and coaches, and one time watching the competition for fastest man in camp races.
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My first time there in around 1996 I had good seats inside first base but foul balls were flying into the seats and the sun was bright and hot. I moved to empty seats behind home plate under the roof and no one ever made me move. I sat directly behind Sandy Koufax and watched him try to eat a mustard covered pretzel while an usher brought him about 4 balls to sign between innings all game long. A couple of times he was annoyed because it was hard to hold a ball, a pen, and a pretzel at the same time.
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I was there again around 2007 or 2008. On my flight back from Vero Beach to Phoenix I sat next to Logan White. I was willing to limit my chat with him to 5 minutes to give him a break but he engaged me as well and we talked non-stop for 3 1/2 hours, we changed planes in Dallas. He gave me his business card and told me to give him a call whenever I wanted to see a game with my family as his guest. I took him up on that once and sure enough he had tickets waiting for me at Will Call–good seats.
Logan loves baseball and loves to talk. I used to talk to him every few months. He is a great guy. He would have stayed with the Dodgers but was old friends with AJ Preller and Don Welke (his mentor). I know he really likes Friedman too, but getting to work with Preller and especially Welke was why he left the Dodgers… plus he would not have had the power he once had. It was his choice to leave.
Here’s the reason we didn’t end up with Dozier
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2017/01/tradefree-agent-rumors-blevins-jays-alvarez-breslow-dozier.html?fv-home=true&post-id=84222
My life’s goal at Retirement was to move from NJ to Vero Beach to be with my beloved Dodgers. I attended Spring Training there for nearly 20 years for vacations. They left Vero before my retirement time, and in 2012, I moved to Port St Lucie, Home of the Mets, just to be around baseball. I go to Dodgertown in Vero very often and just walk around the Complex. I sit in the seats in Holman Stadium and in my mind, I hear the cheers of the Dodger crowd. Due to a Mets Training Staff employee friend, I was able to go through every building in the Complex to really see all the great history – WOW. A great day. Feb 3rd begins Korean Baseball League Spring Training at Dodgertown. I will go just to watch baseball in this Greatest of ALL Spring Training facilities – wishing and hoping it was my Dodgers.
One of the best experiences of my life was a trip to Vero in 2000. My Dad, who passed away 2 weeks ago, was a life long Dodger fan. He went to his 1st game at Ebbets in 1939 (he was born in Brooklyn and grew up in Queens). He and I went to spring training at Vero together in 2000 and it was a blast!
I agree that the ghosts of Dodgers past were there. We saw Tommy in his golf cart. It was Orel’s last hurrah with the team and it was interesting watching him work with the younger pitchers.
3 Dodgers were aloof and didn’t interact with the fans – Eric Karros, Gary Sheffield and Kevin Brown.
My Dad developed ALS and wasn’t able to move around much within a few years, so it was great to see the Dodgers with him and to spend a whole week with him. I haven’t gotten to go to Camelback yet – maybe some day, but my time at Vero Beach was great!
Fond memories. Thanks to both of you for sharing them.
Dodger rick
Sorry to hear that your father passed away.