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Dylan Hernandez

Dodgers first baseman James Loney seeks crowning moment at plate

Last updated Wednesday, March 7, 2012 - 8:06pm

PHOENIX -- Reminded that he was once considered a potential batting champion, James Loney nodded and smiled.

"I still think I can do that," he said.

As crazy as that might sound from a player who rallied mightily to finish with a .288 batting average last season, Loney isn't the only one making such bold pronouncements.

MLB, Sports, Baseball Read more Comments

Dodgers' Matt Kemp is king of the clubhouse now

Dylan Hernandez Los Angeles Times

Last updated Tuesday, February 28, 2012 - 7:15pm

PHOENIX -- At the northwest end of the Los Angeles Dodgers' spring-training clubhouse, several steps from the rear exit, is a wooden stall that shortstop Dee Gordon calls "the Big Dog locker."

Manny Ramirez used the space for two springs. After his drug-tainted departure, Rafael Furcal took up residence.

MLB, Los Angeles Dodgers, Sports, Baseball Read more Comments

Dodgers' Gordon -- a former Raptor -- wants to follow Larkin's footsteps

Dylan Hernandez Los Angeles Times

Last updated Friday, January 13, 2012 - 8:31pm

LOS ANGELES -- From the seat in front of his locker, Dee Gordon looked up at the television set in the middle of the Dodgers clubhouse.

Barry Larkin, whose election into the baseball Hall of Fame was announced Monday, was being interviewed.

"One day," Gordon said, "I want to feel like he's feeling."

MLB, Ogden Raptors, Sports, Baseball Read more Comments

Dodgers will have familiar look in 2012

Dylan Hernandez Los Angeles Times

Last updated Thursday, December 8, 2011 - 10:34pm

DALLAS -- Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said he went into the winter hopeful the team could sign Prince Fielder.

But with departing owner Frank McCourt reducing their off-season budget, plans of pursuing an impact hitter were abandoned. And as of the second day of baseball's winter meetings, the team looked strikingly similar to the team that finished 11 1/2 games out of first place in the National League West in 2011.

Only instead of Jamey Carroll, they have Mark Ellis, and instead of Aaron Miles, they have Jerry Hairston Jr. In other words, they exchanged one group of light-hitting supplementary players for another.

MLB, Sports, Baseball Read more Comments

Dodgers' Eovaldi shows he has what it takes in MLB debut

Dylan Hernandez Los Angeles Times

Last updated Sunday, August 7, 2011 - 5:01pm

PHOENIX -- We learned a few things about 21-year-old Nathan Eovaldi on Saturday.

He prefers to be called "Nathan" instead of "Nate." The "o" in his last name is silent. The former Ogden Raptor has a fluid delivery and his fastball sits in the 93-95 mph range.

MLB, Sports, Baseball Read more Comments

30 years ago, Fernando Valenzuela was a game-changer for Dodgers and baseball

Dylan Hernandez, Los Angeles Times

Last updated Thursday, March 31, 2011 - 7:13pm

LOS ANGELES -- As he did 30 years ago, Fernando Valenzuela will take the mound at Dodger Stadium on opening day.

From the very place he started a phenomenon that radically altered the country's cultural and sporting landscape, Valenzuela will throw the ceremonial first pitch before the Dodgers face the San Francisco Giants on Thursday.

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Matt Kemp's spring shapes up

Dylan Hernandez Los Angeles Times

Last updated Saturday, March 19, 2011 - 5:18pm

PHOENIX -- On the day players report to spring training, almost everyone says he's in the best shape of his life.

MLB, Sports, Baseball Read more Comments

New Dodger Juan Uribe keeps things in the family

Dylan Hernandez, Los Angeles Times

Last updated Monday, March 7, 2011 - 5:36pm

PHOENIX -- In times of crisis, some people turn to God. Some visit therapists.

Juan Uribe leaned on his late cousin. Or, as Uribe prefers to call him, his uncle.

Not long before Uribe, 31, parlayed his World Series heroics of last fall into a three-year, $21-million deal with the Dodgers, he was dangerously close to adding himself to the long list of baseball's premature washouts.

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Tony Gwynn says he's 'about back to normal'

Dylan Hernandez, Los Angeles Times

Last updated Tuesday, February 15, 2011 - 4:59pm

LOS ANGELES -- The most famous smile in San Diego couldn't be seen over the phone line, but it could be heard.

It could be heard when Tony Gwynn light-heartedly talked about how much easier it was to hit a baseball than fight for his life. Or when he spoke about coaching again, or his son's move to the Dodgers.

MLB, Cancer, Health, Sports, Baseball Read more Comments

Dodgers, Chad Billingsley agree to deal; Angels agree to terms with four players

Dylan Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, Mike DiGiovanna

Last updated Wednesday, January 19, 2011 - 6:11pm

LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Dodgers and right-hander Chad Billingsley have avoided a salary arbitration hearing, agreeing Tuesday to a one-year, $6.275-million contract.

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Dodgers GM Ned Colletti still believes his 'kids' are all right

Dylan Hernandez, Los Angeles Times

Last updated Tuesday, December 7, 2010 - 6:18pm

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- First, Ned Colletti said he wouldn't trade them because he believed in their potential. Then, he said he wouldn't trade them because they were entering the prime years of their careers. Now, he's saying he won't trade them because he knows more about them.

"Some of it's great, some of it you wonder about," the Dodgers' general manager said. "I still think it's a real good core."

With most of the Dodgers' top priorities of the off-season already addressed, Colletti took time on the first day of the winter meetings to offer his "State of the Kids" address, which has become an annual tradition at this event.

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Ex-Raptor Russell Martin open to utility role with Dodgers

Dylan Hernandez, The Associated Press

Last updated Sunday, December 5, 2010 - 7:09pm

LOS ANGELES -- Russell Martin is open to General Manager Ned Colletti's idea of returning to the Los Angeles Dodgers as a utility player, according to Martin's agent.

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All the pieces are falling into place for Don Mattingly

Dylan Hernandez, Los Angeles Times

Last updated Wednesday, November 10, 2010 - 6:20pm

PHOENIX -- Don Mattingly rolls up his uniform sleeve, revealing a tattoo of a cross wrapped in blood-dripping thorns. On his right biceps is another with the words, "No turning back."

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Phillies' Hamels stages 'comeback' at 26

Dylan Hernandez, Los Angeles Times

Last updated Monday, October 18, 2010 - 11:44pm

SAN FRANCISCO -- The last time Cole Hamels was on the mound, Philadelphia Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said he saw the Cole Hamels of old.

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Dodgers are struggling to get pitching under control

Dylan Hernandez Los Angeles Times

Last updated Tuesday, April 20, 2010 - 5:35pm

LOS ANGELES -- During the Los Angeles Dodgers' recent homestand, Manager Joe Torre was asked a simple question: How long could his team afford to pitch the way it had before a roster move would be made?

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