Adrian Gonzalez puts in the work

Adrian Gonzalez, a four-time All-Star, trains with a medicine ball in the garage of his house in La Jolla.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, a Tijuana native and favorite of baseball fans of Mexican descent north and south of the border, boxes as part of his offseason training in La Jolla last month.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Adrian Gonzalez, right, spars with Dodgers teammate Luis Cruz in the garage of Gonzalez’s house in La Jolla. Gonzalez and Cruz are trained by former heavyweight boxer Chris Byrd.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Former heavyweight boxer Chris Byrd mans the heavy bag as Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez trains in the garage of his house in La Jolla along with teammate Luis Cruz, left.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, with teammate Luis Cruz and Gonzalez’s brother Edgar, return from a La Jolla neighbor’s backyard cage after taking batting practice during a workout session.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez keeps his eye on the pitching machine as he takes batting practice in a neighbor’s cage.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez follows through on a swing while taking batting practice during a training session in La Jolla last month.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)