DODGERS NOTEBOOK: ROSS TRYING TO IMPRESS.Byline: Tony Jackson
Anthony (Antonio) Jackson, best known as Tony Jackson Staff Writer VERO BEACH Vero Beach (vēr`o), city (1990 pop. 17,350), seat of Indian River co., E Fla., on Indian River (a lagoon and part of the Intracoastal Waterway); founded c.1888, inc. 1919. , Fla. - Outfielder Cody Ross Cody Joseph Ross (born December 23, 1980, in Portales, New Mexico), is an outfielder in Major League Baseball who plays for the Florida Marlins (2006-present). He was traded to the Marlins from the Reds for cash or a player to be named later. came to spring training as the longest of long shots to make the Opening Day roster. But the way he sees it, the Dodgers aren't the only team for which he is auditioning. ``I'm out of (minor-league) options, so I have to make the team,'' Ross said. ``Otherwise, I'm on waivers. And if that happens, it's hard to say where I would end up, so I don't even want to speculate. I hope someone would pick me up and I would go to the big leagues with them. But my ultimate goal, obviously, is to make this team and play for the Dodgers.'' Ross continued to state his case in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game, hitting a three-run homer to cap a five-run, sixth-inning outburst in the Dodgers' 9-3 victory against the Baltimore Orioles This article is about the contemporary American major league baseball team. For other uses, see Baltimore Oriole (disambiguation). The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland. before 3,593 at Holman Stadium There are at least two sports venues called Holman Stadium:
Ross is hitting .273 through six games, his three hits having been a double and two homers, and he has driven in four runs. The question now - especially given that Ross, 25, is surrounded by younger, more celebrated prospects - is whether anyone has noticed. ``He's a little older,'' manager Grady Little William Grady Little (born March 30, 1950 in Abilene, Texas) is a manager in Major League Baseball. He guided the Boston Red Sox from 2002 to 2003, and has been manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers since 2006. said. ``His talent level kind of puts him in that mix, but his age might put him in a different category. We have a lot of kids with a lot of talent and very few positions.'' Ross came to the Dodgers from Detroit two years ago during the final week of spring training, in a trade by former general manager Paul DePodesta Paul DePodesta (born December 16, 1972) is baseball front-office assistant for the San Diego Padres. He has also served as general manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers from February 16, 2004 to October 29, 2005. that went virtually unnoticed. In a brief call-up last summer when the Dodgers were besieged be·siege tr.v. be·sieged, be·sieg·ing, be·sieg·es 1. To surround with hostile forces. 2. To crowd around; hem in. 3. by injuries, Ross batted .160 in 14 games, striking out 10 times in 25 at-bats. --Stars debut: Eric Gagne put in a workday that included one perfect inning and all of five pitches clocked in the high 80- to low 90-mph range. After stopping beyond right field to chat with former teammate Mike Fetters, who was visiting Dodgertown, Gagne walked into the clubhouse and pronounced his long-awaited spring debut a success. ``I just tried to focus on throwing strikes and getting the ball down,'' he said. ``I wanted to get my (correct) mechanics and control my emotions. I was excited, but not nervous.'' Gagne is scheduled to pitch another inning Friday against Detroit. Second baseman Jeff Kent also played for the first time this spring, going 2 for 3 with a pair of singles as the Dodgers' designated hitter. He is expected to make his defensive debut against Boston today. --Versatile Robles Robles is a common surname in the Spanish language meaning oaks, and may refer to:
Robles made several starts for the Dodgers at third and shortstop last season and even one at second, but he never has played first professionally. ``I'm just taking some groundballs so I can be ready if they need me,'' Robles said. ``It's not that different from playing shortstop.'' Robles went 1 for 2 against the Orioles and is hitting .308 (3 for 11) with a home run this spring. Martinez, who didn't play Wednesday, is hitting .333 (4 for 12) with a double and two RBIs. Tony Jackson,(818) 713-3675 tony.jackson(at)dailynews.com CAPTION(S): box Box: BEYOND THE BOX SCORE |
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