1986

March 9, 1986

Los Angeles Times writer Bill Shirley features Dodgertown in the newspaper during Spring Training. Broadcaster Vin Scully spoke of the days when the staff and players lived in the military style barracks. "There was nothing to do on the base. The players relied upon each other for fun. They sat around at night and talked baseball or shot pool. The camaraderie was incredible." Coach Monty Basgall remembered the thinness of the walls between the rooms. "The walls were virtually paper. You could hear everything anyone said." J.B. Norton, executive director of the Vero Beach Chamber of Commerce said of Dodgertown, "I wouldn't know how to act without them. It's a big business for us." Norton spoke of the benefits of a Vero Beach dateline in newspapers and magazines. "How can we pay for that publicity?" said Norton. 1

March 20, 1986

In a fundraising campaign for the American Cancer Society, Dodger Manager Tom Lasorda is "arrested" by Vero Beach police and taken to the VFW hall. Lasorda is to be held there until sufficient "bail" is raised for his release. Entertainer Danny Kaye, visiting Dodgertown for Spring Training, contributes $1,000 and the Dodger organization adds $800. Lasorda is finally released when his "bail" amount reaches $2,420. 2

March 25, 1986

Dodger outfielder Ken Landreaux dressed for the exhibition game in St. Petersburg in Tom Lasorda's manager office at Al Lang Field. Lasorda explained "He's (Landreaux) rooming with me," after Landreaux had told the media he had felt unappreciated. Lasorda told writers, "We want him (Landreaux) to feel really wanted. (Dodger coach Joe) Amalfitano said he's been in the big leagues for 30 years, and Willie Mays never got to dress with the manager." Lasorda asked if the outfielder wanted a soda. Landreaux's response, "I already have one." 3

November 16, 1986

Dodger Manager Tom Lasorda was in Dodgertown for the Adult Camp and issued a challenge to play one-on-one basketball against Mrs. Anne Drysdale.    Mrs. Drysdale, the former Anne Meyers, was an All-American basketball player for UCLA. Anne Drysdale was attending the camp with her husband, Don Drysdale, part of the Adult Camp instruction group. Mrs. Drysdale defeated Lasorda, 11-0. 4

1 ^ Bill Shirley, Los Angeles Times, March 9, 1986

2 ^ Ken Gurnick, Los Angeles Herald Examiner, March 20, 1986

3 ^ Gordon Edes, Los Angeles Times, March 25, 1986

4 ^ Los Angeles Times, November 16, 1986

For more on the history of the Dodgers Spring Training visit walteromalley.com