Thursday, January 25, 2018

Blog Kiosk: 1/25/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends


Both Kenley Jansen and Nomar Garciaparra joined the Dodgers Community Tour yesterday afternoon by hosting a skills clinic for RBI youth at GBG Training Academy in Inglewood. Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:
"This reminds me of when I was younger, and I see guys like Andruw Jones and Randall Simon in my country give clinics," said Jansen, now 30 with two All-Star appearances and two National League Reliever of the Year Awards. 
"Just to give back to these kids and the community is an awesome thing," he said. "Reminds me how amazing it is to be with a Major Leaguer. Maybe a few of these kids can have their dream to be a Major Leaguer like me."
Photos above via the Dodgers Foundation on twitter. Below are more links to check out:
  • This Day in Dodgers HistoryIn 1934 Giants skipper Bill Terry, when asked about the Dodgers prospects for the upcoming season, remarked, ""I haven't heard anything from them; are they still in the league?" This obviously caused all of Brooklyn to scream in outrage, and ultimately lead to the Dodgers' greatest revenge. With the Giants tied with the Cardinals and with just two games left to play in the season (both against Brooklyn), the Dodgers would sweep to deny them the pennant.
  • Happy Birthday, Danny RichardsonRay SchmandtEd Head & Ed Goodson!
  • Audio: Chris Taylor joined Petros and Money this week to discuss the atmosphere around the team and what sparked his breakout year in 2017 (audio link).
  • OMG! I am only now finding out about this. Via a LA Times story at the Ben Bulletin; "Dodgers outfielder has memorable wedding week." Joc Pederson had a wedding to remember.
The couple relaxed in Goleta for a few days, then attempted to catch a flight to Hawaii for the honeymoon.
“That is when the mudslides hit,” Pederson said. “We couldn’t get to LAX, so we missed our flight.” 
The Pedersons did eventually make it to Hawaii — where they were greeted one morning with this urgent phone message: “BALLISTIC MISSILE THREAT INBOUND TO HAWAII. SEEK IMMEDIATE SHELTER. THIS IS NOT A DRILL.”
Here's MLB Pipeline's scouting report on Verdugo: "One of the best pure hitting prospects in baseball, Verdugo recognizes pitches and controls the strike zone better than most players his age. He uses the whole field, repeatedly barreling balls with a quick left-handed stroke geared for line drives. Though he homered just seven times in 132 games last season, his hitting ability, bat speed and strength should translate into average power if he adds some loft to his swing.
"As good as he is in the batter's box, Verdugo's best tool actually is his plus-plus arm. Despite average speed, he has spent much of his pro career in center field, where his instincts help him get the job done. Scouts are split on whether he can handle center on a daily basis in the Majors, but no one doubts that his arm would play in right."

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