DODGERS NOTEBOOK: JOHNSON: VIZCAINO CAN BE HANDYMAN.Byline: Brian Dohn Daily News Staff Writer Dodgers general manager Kevin Malone
Kevin Malone is a fictional character from the US television series, The Office. He is played by Brian Baumgartner. said he hasn't received a serious call from another team interested in acquiring Jose Vizcaino lately. If that call comes, manager Davey Johnson Even if the expected happens, which is Mark Grudzielanek Mark James Grudzielanek (born June 30, 1970 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin) is a second baseman in Major League Baseball who currently plays for the Kansas City Royals. Previously, Grudzielanek played with the Montreal Expos (1995-1998), Los Angeles Dodgers (1998-2002), Chicago Cubs beating out Vizcaino for the starting job at shortstop. ``I'd like to keep both of them, regardless of who's (starting) there,'' Johnson said. ``If I had my druthers druth·ers pl.n. Informal A choice or preference: "Given their druthers, these hell-for-leather free marketeers might sell the post office" George F. Will. , I'd like to keep both of them.'' There is strong speculation that Vizcaino could be traded before the Dodgers leave Dodgertown, but his versatility is something Johnson likes. In today's Grapefruit League opener against the St. Louis Cardinals For the National Football League team that played in St. Louis from 1960 to 1987, see . The St. Louis Cardinals (also referred to as "the Cards" or "the Redbirds") are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. , Vizcaino will start at second base. ``I think (keeping both players) is an option, but we have to see how it plays out,'' Malone said. ``That gives us security. If someone goes down, or if (Adrian) Beltre struggles (at third), you have a veteran guy who can play.'' Vizcaino started at shortstop for the Dodgers on opening day last season but missed the last three months of the season with an ankle injury, though he was reinstated for the Dodgers' final 17 games. He started 65 games at shortstop and hit .262 with 29 RBI RBI abbr. Baseball runs batted in Noun 1. rbi - a run that is the result of the batter's performance; "he had more than 100 rbi last season" run batted in . ``I wouldn't hesitate to put him in if he wasn't the every-day shortstop; 20 to 30 games at shortstop, a bunch at second and a bunch at third,'' Johnson said. ``Not knowing nothing from nothing . . . Vizcaino would be the most valuable player, (because he's) able to play different positions for me. I like his glove and I like his versatility with the bat. To me, he's more valuable than my everyday guys. ``What I'm not going to do is make Grudzielanek into a utility player.'' So if Grudzielanek remains with the Dodgers, it leaves Vizcaino as the backup middle infielder - a curse brought on by his versatility. ``I want to be here, but I don't know Don't know (DK, DKed) "Don't know the trade." A Street expression used whenever one party lacks knowledge of a trade or receives conflicting instructions from the other party. what's going to happen,'' said Vizcaino, who was then asked whether he'd be happy with the Dodgers as a utility infielder A utility infielder is a baseball player, usually someone who does not have a regular starting role on the team, who is capable of playing more than one of the four defensive infield positions: second base, third base, shortstop, and less typically first base. . ``I can't answer that question now because I don't know if I'll feel the same way.'' Scouting the Dodgers: Not only is there talk of Vizcaino being traded, but one of the six starting pitchers figures to have a new address by the end of the month. It's why, as of late Thursday, 18 scouts were expected at today's game against the Cardinals. ``It's kind of nice to know we have some quality players other clubs are interested in,'' Malone said. Ticket talk: Team officials at Dodgertown were excited to hear that a few thousand people showed up at Dodger Stadium • • [ on Thursday morning to purchase single-game tickets for this season. There are approximately 1,000 tickets left for the opener against Arizona on April 5. Now, if only that enthusiasm carried over to Vero Beach for Grapefruit League play. About 400 reserved tickets are available for today's Grapefruit League opener against St. Louis. ``I've been bothered since the work stoppage (in 1994),'' Dodgers president and CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. Bob Graziano said. ``We used to sell out a lot of games. Since '94, our attendance has not been strong in Vero Beach, so I am bothered by the fact (today) is not sold out. . . . I'd like to see significant support from the fans in Vero Beach, but I am very happy about the number of fans to show up at Dodger Stadium.'' Grapefruit League lineup: Right-hander Ismael Valdes is slated to start today's game and pitch the first two innings for the Dodgers and right-hander Dave Mlicki is supposed to pitch the third and fourth innings, pitching coach Charlie Hough said. Hough n. 1. Same as Hock, a joint. v. t. 1. Same as Hock, to hamstring. [ imp. & p. p. os> r>; p. pr. & vb. n. os> n. 1. An adz; a hoe. v. t. 1. To cut with a hoe. said left-handers Chris Haney and Pedro Borbon and righties Doug Bochtler and Alan Mills will also pitch. As for the lineup, not too many regulars are slated to play. Johnson said the starting lineup will be Devon White (center field), Vizcaino (second base), Raul Mondesi (right field), Eric Karros (first base), Todd Hollandsworth (left field), Grudzielanek (shortstop), Beltre (third base) and Paul LoDuca (catcher). CAPTION(S): Photo Photo: A large group of fans showed up Thursday at Dodger Stadium to buy single-game tickets. Nick Ut/Associated Press |
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