Anyone who has stood on green grass with a bat and a ball and a glove understands what Lorenzo Bundy was talking about Tuesday under a Dodger blue sky at Isotopes Park.

“It’s just another blessing,” said Bundy, who is beginning his third season as manager of the Albuquerque Isotopes. “I first signed a professional contract in 1981. So, we’re looking at 30-plus years being in the greatest game in the world.”

Dee Gordon has not been around the game nearly as long as his skipper, but he, too, gets the significance of Opening Day – and of this season.

	Season opener: Iowa at Albuquerque, Isotopes Park, 6:35 p.m.

The slender shortstop who glides over a ball field, will turn 25 later this month. He has been sent to Albuquerque by the Los Angeles Dodgers, to work on his game and his reputation as one of their top prospects.

“It’s a new beginning,” said Gordon, as he relaxed on the greenest grass in Albuquerque. “It’s hopefully the start of something good. You start out with a good group of guys and get to go to battle with them every day.”

Gordon, who has 563 major league plate appearances, 56 stolen bases and a .266 batting average in two seasons with the Dodgers, is diplomatic about his return to Albuquerque.

“Play ball,” he says. “That’s all I can do. Play baseball. You play it good wherever you’re at. There are kids out there who look at you, who you can impress. You can be an influence for the rest of his life. I have to have the mindset that somebody hasn’t seen me play yet, and just play hard.”

Barry Larkin, the Reds’ Hall of Famer, was such an inspiration for young Gordon (son of longtime major league pitcher Tom “Flash” Gordon). Now Larkin serves as Dee’s mentor.

“He talks to me about the mental part of baseball, how to be a consistent major leaguer,” Gordon says, “how to become a great shortstop.”

Helping him along will be the 53-year-old Bundy. He’s managed Pole Cats, Bees, Manatees and now Isotopes. As a player, he was a Hawaii Islander, Mexico City Diablos Rojo and a Jacksonville Expo, among others. He’s coached in the majors and was the 2012 PCL Manager of the Year.

“There are so many people in the world who would love to trade places with me,” Bundy said. “I love what I do. A lot of people go to work and do what they do because they have to. Fortunately, I get to do something I love.

“Opening Day is never the same. The smell of the grass. Rain, sunshine, warm weather, cold weather. We love it. It’s a new year and a new challenge.”

DELAYED ARRIVAL: Notably absent from the Isotopes’ roster is outfielder and Albuquerque native Brian Cavazos-Galvez. The Manzano High grad and former University of New Mexico standout is nursing an injury to his throwing shoulder and will remain in extending spring training, Bundy said.

“He’s really disappointed not to be here,” Bundy said, “but I have a strong feeling he’ll be here at some point.”

Cavazos-Galvez hit .354 with seven home runs and 32 RBIs in 57 games with the ‘Topes last season before suffering an ankle injury.

Journal staff writer Ken Sickenger contributed to this story
— This article appeared on page D1 of the Albuquerque Journal