Week 8 Downtown LA Sports Beats Report

Baseball

The Dodgers are less than two weeks away from their Opening Day Season opener in Los Angeles, April 6^th. The team is still in the midst training and gearing up for season at Camelback Ranch in Arizona. Hyun-jin Ryu, the Dodgers’ “3^rd ace”, was sent back to LA to get a MRI on his throwing shoulder and the results came back negative. On the bullpen front, set up man, Brandon League, is set to start the season on the 15-Day disabled list (DL) with a discomfort in the his throwing shoulder. On the free agent front, the Dodgers have agreed to deals with two Cubans within the past week.  29-year-old 3rd baseman Hector Olivera, agreed to a deal worth $62.5 million with a $28 million signing bonus and 25 –year-old Pablo Millan Fernandez to an $8 million minor league deal with the Dodgers.

http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/index.jsp?c_id=la

Basketball

The Clippers just kicked off their 3 game east coast road trip with a big win at the Madison Square Garden, dropping the Knicks, 111-80. On top of that win, point guard Chris Paul earned the player of the week award from last week after averaging 26 points, 11.3 assists, 4.8 rebounds and 2.0 steals, while lead the Clippers to an undefeated week (4-0). The Clippers record is currently (46-25) and in second place in the division behind the Golden State Warriors and will play their next game at Philadelphia against the (17-54) 76ers.

http://www.nba.com/clippers/?tmd=1

As the Lakers are limping through their season, they came up with a win in Minnesota versus the Timberwolves, 101-99. Rookie point guard Jordan Clarkson led the Lakers with 20 points had 5 assists, while guard Jeremy Lin had 19 points and like Clarkson, also had 5 assists as well. The Lakers are currently playing without their star players in guards Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash and rookie forward Julius Randle, whom all are out for the season with their respective injuries. The Lakers are currently (18-51) and will be travelling to Toronto to face all-star guard Kyle Lowry and the Raptors (42-29) on Friday at 4 pm.

http://www.nba.com/lakers/?tmd=1

Soccer

This week, the Galaxy currently has two of their best players on international duty, meaning they have called up to serve their country in soccer matches over in Europe. Head coach Bruce Arena has to figure out to replace their starters by Saturday in the District of Columbia versus D.C. United at 4 pm. The Galaxy’s record is (1-0-2) this season.

 http://www.lagalaxy.com/

Football Stadium

No updates. 

Week 7 Downtown LA Sports Beats Report

Baseball

The Dodgers are currently in the middle of spring training and gearing up for the start of the season the end of March. The Dodgers have made good progress on having their new double play combo up the middle, with shortstop Jimmy Rollins on the left and second baseman Howie Kendrick on the right, Rollins and Kendrick fitting into their new team like fitting into a glove. Outfielder Carl Crawford has a minor shin bruise and is listed day to day. Will Ferrell will participating in the battle against cancer by playing for one inning each for 10 MLB teams, including the Dodgers, this thursday, all in one day. Opening day for the Dodgers will be April 6th at home against former Dodger Matt Kemp and the San Diego Padres will visiting town at 1:10 pm.

http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/index.jsp?c_id=la

Basketball

The Clippers just recently beat the Oklahoma City Thunder tonight, 120-108, and point guard Chris Paul was the star of the game with 33 points, 9 assists,  4 rebounds and 2 steals. The Clippers also signed free agent guard Nate Robinson back on March 7th to a 10-day contract with sixth man Jamal Crawford sidelined with an injury. The Clippers (41-23) will play their next game at Dallas versus Dirk Nowitzki and the Mavericks (41-25) this Friday, March 13th, at 5:30 pm.

http://www.nba.com/clippers/

The Lakers recently won their last game at home yesterday, the 10th, versus the Detroit Pistons, 93-85. Forward Jordan Hill led all Lakers scorers with 16 points. On the injury front, sixth man Nick Young may be out for the rest of the season with a sore left knee and prized rookie Julius Randle, whom was out for the year with a fractured right tibia, has been cleared for non-contact basketball activities.The Lakers took their team photo today and superstar guard Kobe Bryant was in the attendance during picture day. Bryant will be attending games for the rest of the season and help mentor some of the young guys. The Lakers’ (17-46) next game is at home versus the (12-51) New York Knicks on Thursday, March 12th, at 7:30 pm. 

http://www.nba.com/lakers/?tmd=1

Soccer

The Galaxy signed two players to their team within the last week, first, the Galaxy improved their midfield by adding 33-year-old finnish, Mika Vayrynen from Finland, and striker Edson Buddle is returning to the Galaxy for a 3rd go around. The Galaxy kicked off their 2015 season with a 2-0 win in last Friday’s game over Chicago Fire for their first win of the season. The Galaxy’s next game is March 15th at Portland versus the Timbers at 4 pm.

http://www.lagalaxy.com

Football Stadium

AEG abandons their LA football stadium plans and cuts off talks with the NFL. AEG spent over 50 million and 5 years trying to bring NFL to LA, but decided ultimately to move on. Meanwhile the San Diego Chargers and the Oakland Raiders are working hard together to make Carson their new home. St. Louis Rams owner, Stan Kroenke 

announced last month with a $1.86 billion to build a stadium plan was the highest budget of all stadium proposals, with AEG having a slightly smaller plan, $1.5 billion plan, and being outnumbered.

http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-nfl-stadium-aeg-20150310-story.html#page=1

Week 6 Downtown LA Sports Beats Report

Baseball

The Dodgers played their first spring training game against their Camelback Ranch neighbors, The Chicago White Sox, as they start to warm up and get into shape for the regular season. The Dodgers lost 6-4. Dodgers relievers Juan Nicasio and Carlos Frias combined to give up five runs. The Dodgers will be playing again tomorrow afternoon at 12 p.m. Ace Clayton Kershaw will be taking the mound for the Dodgers opposite of John Danks of the Chicago White Sox.

http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/index.jsp?c_id=la

Basketball

On Monday, March 2nd, the Clippers (40-19) took away a win in Minnesota versus the Timberwolves, 110-105. The Clippers currently playing without forwards Blake Griffin and Matt Barnes and guard Jamal Crawford due to injuries. Griffin, whom had a staph infection to his elbow, is edging closer to returning to court. Barnes, whom has a strain hamstring, was quoted, “If this is the playoffs, I think I would play.” Crawford has a right calf contusion in yesterday’s win versus the Timberwolves. The Clippers play tonight at 7:30 p.m. at home versus all-star point guard Damian Lillard and  the Portland Trailblazers (39-19).

http://www.nba.com/clippers/?tmd=1

The Lakers just went through a very difficult loss in Charlotte versus the Hornets, losing 104-103 in a heartbreaker. The Lakers also lost point guard Ronnie Price for the rest of the year as Price had right elbow surgery to remove a bone spur. The Lakers lost in Miami tonight to the Heat, 100-94. The Lakers’ (16-43) next game will be on Friday, March 6th in Memphis  versus the Grizzlies (42-17).

http://www.nba.com/lakers/?tmd=1

Soccer

The Galaxy beat Robbie Keane’s old team, the Shamrock Rovers, 1-0, to end the Europe tour. The team came back to California only to lose their only in country preseason match to the San Jose Earthquakes, 3-2. The Galaxy will have their season opener this friday, March 6th, at StubHub Center at 7 p.m. versus the Chicago Fire.

http://www.lagalaxy.com

Football Stadium

Organizers that are proposing on building a stadium in Carson for the Oakland Raiders and the San Diego Chargers have filed paperwork to bring their plans for the stadium before voters. It is the first step in the process to officially have a football stadium in the city of Los Angeles. The project costs $1.7 billion to build the stadium and if it gets approved then the zoning laws would allow construction of a stadium on a former landfill.

http://www.fresnobee.com/2015/03/04/4408918/nfl-stadium-supporters-in-la-suburb.html

Downtown LA Sports Beats Report- Los Angeles Landmarks

http://pinterest.com/newsspotting/los-angeles-landmarks/

Week 4 Downtown LA Sports Beats Report

Baseball

The Dodgers will be reporting to Spring Training at Camelback Ranch in Arizona on Thursday, pitchers and catchers being the first ones to report to camp. Position players will be reporting to training camp later on February 24. One player will not be reporting to camp on time this year. Closer Kenley Jansen underwent left foot surgery and will be out 8 to 12 weeks. The Dodgers will have their first spring training game at home on March 4^th against their camelback ranch neighbor, the Chicago White Sox.

http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/index.jsp?c_id=la

Basketball

The Clippers were on all-star break, while their two all-star weekend representatives, point guard Chris Paul and shooting guard J.J. Redick, did their best to represent the Clippers during the festivities, all-star game and three point contest respectively, during last weekend in New York. Western Conference All-Star team won the game versus the Eastern Conference All-Star team 163-158. Paul had 12 points, 8 rebounds and 15 assists in the win and Redick has 17 baskets made, but was eliminated in the first round. The team got some good news on injured all-star forward Blake Griffin, whose staph infection in his elbow was successfully removed, but still have no timetable on when he will return to the court. Keep an eye out for the Clippers as they are looking to make moves to improve their team at the trade deadline tomorrow. The Clippers (34-19) will be looking to get their post-break win against the defending 2014 champion Tim Duncan and the San Antonio Spurs (39-19) tomorrow night at 7:30 p.m. at Staples Center.

http://www.nba.com/clippers/?tmd=1

The Lakers (13-40), in the middle of another nightmare season, will be looking to kick off the second half with a win against the Brooklyn Nets (21-31) at home on Friday, February 20. The Lakers will be, once again, will be playing the rest of the season without their superstar, Kobe Bryant, whom had a successful shoulder surgery, will be gearing up and rehabbing for next season.  The Lakers could be looking to add a point guard at the trade deadline tomorrow. One name that has consistently popped up in the rumors is Phoenix Suns point guard, Goran Dragic.

http://www.nba.com/lakers/?tmd=1

Soccer

The Galaxy lost their first preseason game of the Europe tour to Hammarby IF, 2-1. Robbie Keane scored the lone goal for the Galaxy. During the Galaxy’s off day, the team made a visit to Irish President, Michael D. Higgins in Keane’s native Ireland. The Galaxy will be their second game of the preseason tour at Shamrock Rovers F.C. on February 21^st in Dublin. The Galaxy will begin their regular season on March 6^th at the StubHub Center, the Galaxy’s home turf, against Chicago Fire at 7 p.m.

http://www.lagalaxy.com/

Football Stadium

At least one NFL team is ready to make a push to move to Los Angeles: the San Diego Chargers. The Chargers have warned the city of San Diego to either give what the Chargers want by getting them a new stadium or step aside as the Chargers aim to land in Los Angeles. There are still developments in the works between the city of Inglewood and the St. Louis Rams. The owner of the Rams, Stan Kroenke, will be building a new stadium near the Hollywood racetrack near Inglewood.

http://www.latimes.com/sports/sportsnow/la-sp-sn-chargers-stadium-20150216-story.html

http://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-inglewood-20150106-story.html#page=1

Week 3 Downtown LA Sports Beats Report

Baseball

Spring training is getting closer day by day, but the day is never over for the Dodgers as they are currently scouting infield prospect 19-year-old Yoan Moncada from Cuba. Moncada is currently a free agent is expecting to sign within the month of February. On the other news front, a few dodgers are looking to start spring training with a good and fresh start. Among those Dodgers are new starting pitcher Brett Anderson, reliever Paco Rodriguez, catcher A.J.Ellis and outfielder Andre Ethier after all having bad 2014 season due to injuries or really bad slumps.

http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/index.jsp?c_id=la

Basketball

The Los Angeles Clippers won their last game at Dallas against the Dirk Nowitzki and the Mavericks. The score was 115 to 98, Clippers. All Star starting forward Blake Griffin underwent surgery to remove a staph infection in his right elbow on Monday and will be out for at least three weeks to heal. Meaning Griffin will be missing out on the opportunity to play in the all-star game this year in New York. The Clippers have a game tonight at 7 pm at home versus all-star forward James Harden and the visiting Houston Rockets. Starting shooting guard J.J. Redick will be representing the Clippers in New York in the three-point challenge during the all-star weekend, February 13th-15th, 2015. The Clippers record going into the all-star break is 

http://www.nba.com/clippers/?tmd=1

The Lakers recently lost night against the Denver Nuggets at Staples Center, 106-96. The Lakers have a game tonight at 7 p.m. at Portland versus all-stars guard Damian Lillard and forward LaMarcus Aldridge and the Trail Blazers. The bright news in this nightmare season is young Lakers players are gaining experience, game by game, with minutes increasing. The Lakers next game will be February 20th at home versus the Brooklyn Nets after the all-star break. The Lakers’ current record is (13-39) as they head into break in last place in the Pacific Division.

http://www.nba.com/lakers/?hp=1

Soccer

The Champion Los Angeles Galaxy are preparing for a 11 day trip to Europe for their preseason and will be visiting Ireland and Sweden. The team travelled to Europe today and will be making stops in places like Dublin and Stockholm. This will be a special homecoming trip for Robbie Keane, whom, is from Ireland. The first match of the preseason tour is on Monday, February 16th, at Tele2 Arena versus Hammarby IF, current Galaxy player, Baggio Husidic, former team. MLS season opener is on March 6th, 2015 at 7 p.m. at home versus Chicago Fire.

http://www.lagalaxy.com

Football Stadium

The NFL created a planning committee out of six NFL owners. Forming the committee are owners Clark Hunt of the Kansas City Chiefs, Robert Craft of the 2015 Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots, John Mara of the New York Giants, Bob McNair of the Houston Texans, Jerry Richardson of the Carolina Panthers and Art Rooney of the Pittsburgh Steelers. This committee will oversee the the guidelines of relocation if one or more teams decide to move to Los Angeles. The committee will help ensure the teams moving to Los Angeles will follow the proper procedures to calling Los Angeles home.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2360104-nfl-creates-planning-committee-to-review-los-angeles-stadium-options

Week 2 Downtown LA Sports Beats Report

Baseball

The Dodgers recently held a fan fest festival at Dodgers Stadium over this past weekend where the fans had the opportunity to partake in meeting the new players that joined the team throughout the offseason. Fans also had the opportunity to ask questions to the players. There were also key speakers with the likes of Dodger legend, Tommy Lasorda and Vin Scully. It was truly an exciting day for both the Dodgers fans and players.

http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/108042244/dodgers-faithful-get-up-close-experience-at-fanfest

Basketball

The Clippers lost to the Brooklyn Nets by two at Brooklyn, 102-100, on Monday, February 2^nd. The Clippers also signed guard Dahntay Jones for the remainder of the season after previously signing to two previous 10-day contracts. The Clippers are on a long road trip with several tough opponents coming up against forward Lebron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers, guard Kyle Lowry of the Toronto Raptors, forward Kevin Durant and guard Russell Westbrook of Oklahoma City Thunder and forward Dirk Nowitzki and guard Rajon Rondo of the Dallas Mavericks, respectively. The Clippers currently have a record of (33-16) and currently in second place of the Pacific Division.

http://www.nba.com/clippers/

The Lakers, like the Clippers are also in the middle of their road trip with loss today against the Milwaukee Bucks, 113-105, with other stops including the Orlando Magic and James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Lakers also sent starting power forward Jordan Hill back to Los Angeles to check out his right quad. Rookie Center Tarik Black took Hill’s starting place at power forward Wednesday night against Milwaukee. The Lakers currently have a record of (13-36) and will face the Orlando Magic on Friday, February 6^th.

http://www.nba.com/lakers/?tmd=1

Soccer

The 2014 MLS Champions Los Angeles Galaxy made their third visit in four years to meet President Barack Obama at the White House on Monday. The Galaxy young academy signed 12 players to letters of intent on Wednesday, February 4^th.  The season opener is on March 6^th at home against Chicago Fire at 7 p.m.

http://www.lagalaxy.com/

Football Stadium

No updated news on the football stadium.