It’s hard to believe it’s been 18 years since the Dodgers moved from Vero Beach to Glendale, Arizona. I was in Vero Beach for the Dodgers’ last game, and I was also at the first game they played at Camelback Ranch. On Friday, February 13th, pitchers and catchers report, and the team’s first full-squad workout will take place on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at Camelback Ranch. I made it to a couple of games last year, but I’m unsure about this year. I have a lot going on in my retirement. I’ll give you a little idea:
- Monday, I got my last stitches taken out of my elbow after the second ulnar nerve surgery two months ago. My elbow, wrist, and replacement shoulder are great, and my back is the best it has been in years. My knee, which was scheduled to be replaced two years ago, doesn’t bother me unless I walk over 6 miles a day. No more surgeries scheduled. My A-fib is gone so long as I stay away from bourbon. I do that!
- My wife is in the process of constructing two new restaurants, and I am the GC. When they are up and running, that is the extent of my involvement. She has a GM managing both restaurants. Two liquor licenses and two different themed restaurants have been a challenge. One is Lolas Table, a Pan-Asian Restaurant and Bar, and the other is The Baldwin, a Tapas Bar. I thought she said “topless bar.” My mistake. The Baldwin opens in February, and Lola’s Table opens in April, so I can’t be away for very long right about now.
- My book, The Mountain Mover, is being published in June, and I just got the blog published last week. www.themountainmover.com. We are in the final editing process and will soon start pre-sale on my site and Amazon.
- US Water Systems is opening a branch in Tampa, Florida, in March and in Phoenix by the end of the year. My plan is to buy a house in PHX and stay there in the winter.
- My daughter joined the company about three weeks ago. She lives about 3 hours away, and after training, she will work remotely, but she spends two or three nights a week with us right now. After years of working 70+ hours a week, I skate by at 20-25 hours a week now. “Slacker.”
I hope to make it to Glendale for a couple of games, but I don’t know when right now. I also have a convention in Miami from April 26th to May 1st. Did I say I was retired? Ha. We are just having fun and will be celebrating our 29th anniversary soon.
I am trying to keep this site open. Bear is helping a lot, and a couple of others have expressed interest in writing. I will keep you all posted.
We have a foot of snow and no letup in sight.
Discussion (23)
Disagree, not disagreeable
I read it twice. Enjoyed it both times!
Hey Bear, Listen to “My favorite spring” by Tom Paxton Paxton. Nostalgic look at the 50s through a minor league pitcher’s eyes. Strong relationship between baseball and family. You’ll love it.
Sorry for the double entry.
Agree, especially with Kim. I think he will turn solid. Sporadic use delivered a .280 BA , solid defense and disruptive speed. A healthy Bazooka would be a gift. The switch hitting Freeland is the heir apparent at 3B until he proves he’s not. Farm pitching is so strong, AF will probably have options when the injuries come, and they will.
Agree, especially with Kim. I think he will turn solid. Sporadic use delivered a .280 BA , solid defense and disruptive speed. A healthy Bazooka would be a gift. The switch hitting Freeland is the heir apparent at 3B until he proves he’s not. Farm pitching is so strong, AF will probably have options when the injuries come, and they will.
The most IP by the Bazooka is 67. In his other 3 years with the Dodgers, he had 23, 33, and 49. I’d be ecstatic with 60 in 2026.
Top Five Guys Who Could Step Up To Help Out The Vets Who Are Tired After Winning B2B: 1. Kim–Could morph into starting 2B 2. Ryan–Big arm ready to shove 3. Graterol–100 IP from the pen? 4. Stone–This is why we didn’t sign extra SP 5. Freeland–Maybe more of an insurance policy but an extended injury to Muncy and he’s the starter
Kinda bench guy you never wanted to see starting.
Hanser Alberto announced his retirement today. I barely remember him…
Agree… it took some time.
Not really. No doubt he was learning all along, but always using an interpreter to minimize confusion. Delivering prepared remarks is very different from handling a press conference. Learning a second language as an adult is difficult–much harder than learning a third language.
Interesting that Shohei decided to learn English once he’d joined the Dodgers and not during all his years in Anaheim?
17″
So, why does Shohei need a translator? 😉
Update above – We have a foot of snow and no letup in sight.
Big Year for sure Mark. Keep working on health! You are nearly the bionic man. Heading over to Dodger Fest Saturday- Last year was outside the park, this year looking forward to inside the park event. Signed up for four autographs this time around.
As soon as I saw your post, I realized I had messed up. It’s actually called The Baldwin. I went back and changed the name. It’s a long story how I messed up the name… but the short version is, I messed up the name. It’s the Baldwin! https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61584658376843
Did you name the tapas place after Bradley, the guy that used to post on this sight?
Thank you.
Mark, it would be nice if you would put up the Ohtoni’s acceptance speech at the BBWA dinner in NY last night for his MVP Award. It’s on the internet and he speaks fluently in English. The guy can do it all.
Spring training can’t come soon enough. I need me some baseball.
You are a legend, Mark.