Friday, June 23, 2017

Blog Kiosk: 6/23/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends


This series against the Mets was ridiculous. The Dodgers set a new franchise record when they collectively hit 15 homers during the four-game set. The last of which scored the game winning run to help the Dodgers sweep the Mets. It was hit by Joc Pederson on the very first pitch of the seventh inning. I think it's safe to say, after a crushing collision in the outfield a month ago, that he is on the mend. Per Cary Osborne at Dodger Insider:
“I think he’s getting there, and the one gauge for me is seeing his plate discipline,” said Dodger manager Dave Roberts. “And over the last 10 games he’s not offering at everything moving forward. So when balls are out of the strike zone he’s doing a good job taking. And he’s getting on base at an incredible rate right now. The next piece is when he gets balls in the strike zone to do what he did tonight.”
Photo above via Juan Ocampo/LA Dodgers 2017. Go here to check out more pics by Juan and Jon SooHoo from yesterdays game. Below are more links to check out:
  • This Day in Dodgers HistoryIn 1930 the Dodgers recorded twelve consecutive hits in the sixth inning during their game against the Pirates at Forbes Field. In 1956 Dodgers shortstop Don Zimmer is hit in the face with a pitch thrown by Reds hurler Hal Jeffcoat, breaking his cheekbone. In 1958 the Dodgers traded Don Newcombe to the Reds for Steve BilkoJohnny Klippstein and players to be named later. The Dodgers also released longtime catcher Rube Walker. He would become a Dodgers minor league manager the next season, and is principally remembered for being the pitching coach for the 1969 World Champion "Amazin'" Mets. In 1973 the much-ballyhooed infield of Steve Garvey, Davey Lopes, Bill Russell and Ron Cey begin their 8 ½ years together as they are all inserted into the starting lineup in the second game of a doubleheader at Cincinnati for the first time.  In 1976 they traded reliever Dr. Mike Marshall to the Braves for Lee Lacy and Elias Sosa.  
  • Happy Birthday, Jerry NopsDick EganKarl SpoonerTom HallerDave GoltzMark Hendrickson!
  • Video: Hear from Dave Roberts after the Dodgers 6-3 win over the New York Mets on Thursday night. (video link)
  • Video: Alanna Rizzo speaks with Kike Hernandez after hitting his seventh home run of the season in the Dodgers 6-3 win over the Mets. (video link)
  • Per Cary Osborne at Dodger Insider; "Insider Magazine: Dodger organist Dieter Ruehle plays the keys to the kingdom."
“I remember thinking about sitting in the Left Field Pavilion, listening to Helen Dell when I was a kid,” Ruehle says, “and if you said, ‘That’s you one day,’ I’d say, ‘No, get out! But if that happens, awesome.’”
The increase in swings, whiffs, and velocity combined with much improved command would already be enough to push Wood towards the top of the Dodgers rotation. What has aided in his ascension even more is his ability to limit the damage when hitters do actually put the bat on the ball. He has the best ground ball percentage in the National League, at 66.9 percent. Just in case that also wasn’t enough, he’s been nicely keeping fly balls in the park with a HR/FB percentage of just 6.9 percent while the rest of the league struggles mightily in that area. That has helped him rise to the top of the National League leaderboards in HR/9, at just 0.25.
The purpose of this brief entry, however, is to call some attention to one of Locastro’s unusual skills — namely, his capacity for getting his body in the way of pitched balls. To get a sense of his proficiency in the matter, consider this: entering play on Thursday, only two majors leaguers (Josh Harrison and Anthony Rizzo) had recorded double-digit hit-by-pitch totals this whole season. Locastro, for his part, has now compiled 11 HBPs in the month of June alone.

  • Rich Mueller at Sports Collectors Daily provides an early peek at 2017 Topps Luminaries; including pics of cards for Sandy Koufax and Clayton Kershew (see them below). This set is scheduled to arrive in stores on October 11th.

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