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Los Angeles Dodgers Spring Training Tickets - Preseason Overview
The Dodgers won the National League West in 2008, then won a series in the playoffs but got derailed by the eventual World Series champion Philadelphia Phillies in the NLCS. Usually a team like the Dodgers would have just a few tweaks to make before the next season to get back into title contention, but the Dodgers have a lot of factors in motion, and their team might look a little different when fans go to use their Los Angeles Dodgers spring training tickets. First and foremost, the Dodgers are moving their spring training location from Dodgertown, Florida to Camelback Ranch in Phoenix, Arizona. This ought to work out a little better for those fans who live in Southern California, as the trip will be remarkably shorter. Let's take a look at the season that was and then discuss a few issues that face the team as they begin their spring warm-up.
2008 Highlights
The Dodgers ended the 2008 regular season with the best team ERA in the National League (3.68). Even though the Dodger offense got a lot of the attention once Manny joined the team, and even though other clubs got accolades for their pitching (like the Giants and Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum, and the Diamondbacks and their pair of aces), it was really the Dodgers with the most dominant defense. They gave up the fewest home runs, the second fewest walks and the second fewest hits in the NL. Chad Billingsley led the pitching staff with an ERA of 3.14, Derek Lowe was not far behind with 3.24 and Hiroki Kuroda rounded out the aces with a 3.73 ERA. Billingsley, 23 years old last season, won 16 games and struck out 201 batters. The bullpen contained arguably the best relievers and closers in the league. On offense, Manny hit 17 home runs and averaged .396 after his trade to the Dodgers. Russell Martin continued to be one of the best hitting catchers in baseball, and Andre Ethier slugged .510.
2008 Lowlights
The Dodgers were actually in the lower half of the NL in terms of overall run production, yet the team batting average was 5th at .264, so they were small ball, even after Manny Ramirez came to LA. Let's not forget the season Andruw Jones didn't have. For a guy who can't spell his name correctly, Jones actually managed to pull of quite a scam on some trusting investors. Incredibly, Jones will earn over 3 million next year completely off the Dodgers roster, while Bernie Madoff, who actually made a lot of people a lot of money, will be in jail. Where's the justice? Jones scored 21 runs in 2008, and the Dodgers are on the hook for just over a million dollars for each of them... over the next six years. The acquisition of Manny Ramirez helped to cover up the glaring Jones bungle, but it was a little like being a husband on the Real Housewives of Orange County- you're married to an expensive, unproductive cow, but you make up for it by almost going all the way with a Latin firecracker in the season finale.
Spring Training and Future
The Dodgers saw lots of movement after the 2008 finish, with Jeff Kent retiring, Derek Lowe going to Atlanta and Brad Penny signing with Boston. If Manny Ramirez, who's still up in the air, leaves for somewhere lucrative the Dodgers will again start the season with a lack of firepower in their lineup. Despite losing some older staring pitchers, the Dodgers will still probably be the class of the NL from a defensive standpoint, especially if Jason Schmidt comes back with something left in the tank. If you check out StubHub for some Los Angeles Dodgers spring training tickets you'll get to see a lot of new pitchers, but Billingsley's starts will probably be the most fun for true blue fans making the trip to the desert.
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