Blog Kiosk: 9/14/2016 - Dodgers Links - Seager, No Scully for Playoffs and the Loons Advance

The Loons carried the day. 

As you may know, the Dodgers Single-A club Great Lakes Loons were in the midst of a playoff series against the West Michigan White Caps.  The series was tied at one game apiece going into last nights deciding game.  Everything was looking bleak to start for the Loons as they were no-hit through the first six innings.  Then the bats started to come alive.  Per Matt DeVries at MiLB.com; "On to the Midwest League Championship."

The fireworks of the night would come courtesy of second baseman Omar Estevez. With Whitecaps reliever Drew Smith (BS 1, L 2-1) on the mound and (Brendon) Davis already on base after his second single of the game, Estevez smacked a ball over the wall in left field for a two-run home run to give the Loons their first lead of the game.

Insurance runs were on the way in the top of the 9th inning when Gage Green scored on Davis' third hit of the game and Saige Jenco scurried home on a wild pitch by Mark Ecker to push the lead to 5-2 for Great Lakes.

They now earn the right to face the Clinton LumberKings for the Midwest League Championship on Wednesday.  Photo above of the team celebration via DJ Peters on twitter.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1945, during an overnight trip between St. Louis and Chicago, the Brooklyn Dodgers train rammed into an gasoline truck, sending flames everywhere.  The train engineer and a firefighter were killed.  The Dodgers survived without serious injury because the momentum of their section carried it through the burning remains.  I had previously written about this incident here.  In 1993 Mike Piazza hit home runs no. 29 and 30 to break the Major League record for homers by a rookie catcher.  In 2002 24-year old Chin-Feng Chen becomes the first Taiwan-born ballplayer to make an appearance in the Major League game.  The first baseman walked as a Dodger pinch-hitter and eventually scored a run.  
• Happy Birthday, Jerry Doggett!  Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider pens a great piece celebrating his 100th birthday today (link here).
  
• Podcast:  Listen to Orel Hershiser speak about his career with Colin Gunderson on his "Love of Baseball" podcast (Link Here).
• Aw, shucks!  "Vin Scully won't call Dodgers playoff games," per Bill Shaikin at the LA Times.

Said Scully: “I’m going to say good-bye at Dodger Stadium the last game with Colorado. I will say good-bye in San Francisco. And then that will be it.”

• Via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider; "Justin Turner nominated for Marvin Miller Man of the Year Award – vote now."
• ICYMI:  The Dodgers extended their affiliation with the Advanced-Rookie level Ogden Raptors to 2018.   Per a Dodger press release:

“We’re happy to extend our partnership with the Dodgers for another two years and are proud to be the longest running affiliate in the Los Angeles organization,” said Raptors Owner/President Dave Baggott. 

• Dave Cameron at FanGraphs makes, "The Case for Corey Seager for National League MVP."

The Dodgers’ rookie shortstop was projected to be a good player this year. We had him down for +3 WAR at the start of the year, helping push the Dodgers shortstops into the top tier at the position. Instead, though, he’s been a great player, and he’s going to end the year around +8 WAR, proving to about 2.5 times as valuable as we expected. 

• The Oklahoma City Dodgers, on the other hand, did not fare so well in Game 1 of their PCL Championship Series against the El Paso Chihuahuas last night.  Via OKC Dodgers on MiLB.com; "Chihuahuas Dig Out of Early Hole, Win Game 1: Dodgers take early 5-0 lead, but Chihuahuas come back to win, 7-5."
• This weeks online exclusive 2016 Topps Bunt Crossover six-card set includes Clayton Kershaw (see that on the right).  Go here to check it out and order.  Sales conclude in a week.
• So this is a thing.  Dodger fans can now vote for the 2016 Fan of the Year from September 13th to 19th.  Go here to check it out and vote.  The nominees are, per a Dodger press release:

• Laura Zimmerman of Los Angeles (#DodgersFOTY1): Zimmerman is passionate about all things Dodgers, attending every home game and following the club's Minor League affiliates.
• Vicente Reyes of South Gate (#DodgersFOTY2): Reyes dedicates his Instagram to sharing the dazzling photos he personally captures at Dodgers games in various locales
• Danny Del Toro of Glendale (#DodgersFOTY3): Having combined his love of The King and the Dodgers, Del Toro is now renowned as Dodger Elvis
• Emma Amaya of El Monte (#DodgersFOTY4):  Amaya is a savvy fan and season-ticket holder who rarely goes a day without posting about the Dodgers on her Facebook page

BTW, I voted for Emma Amaya.  She occasionally writes on her own blog, Dodger Blue World, and is obviously super-enthusiastic about her love of the team.  In fact, in 2013 Emma was named by the Baseball Reliquary as the winner of the Hilda Chester Award.  This prize recognizes distinguished service to the game by a baseball fan for exhibiting their love affair with the national pastime.

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *