Willie Davis works on bunting at Vero Beach.

March 5, 1970: The Dodgers couldn't decide on a third baseman, not a new problem for the franchise. The Times' Ross Newhan noted that the Dodgers had used 38 players at third since moving to California and the 1970 season seemed headed in a traditionally murky direction.

Candidates included outfielders Bill Russell and Manny Mota, Jim Lefebvre, Billy Grabarkewitz and another highly touted rookie, Steve Garvey.

Any baseball fan has to love spring training for the sense of optimism, sometimes wildly out of control. Consider this quote from then-Dodger coach Danny Ozark about Russell:

"Russell has as much ability as the young Willie Mays had. The potential is all there."

–Keith Thursby