Wednesday, December 12, 2018

Blog Kiosk: 12/12/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends


At one point, Walter O'Malley had dreams about building a domed stadium in Brooklyn. Featured above is a May 11, 1957 AP press photo featuring O'Malley showing off his design (eBay Auction Link). Strangely, with him are New York Giants president Horace Stoneham, San Francisco Mayor George Christopher and SF County Cupervisor Francis McCarty. As you know, the Dodgers would soon announce their intention of leaving the Brooklyn borough for Los Angeles.

Below are more links to check out:
  • This Day in Dodgers HistoryIn 1941 the Dodgers traded for soon to be Hall of Famer Arky Vaughan from the Pirates in exchange for Pete CoscarartLuke HamlinBabe Phelps and Jimmy WasdellIn 1998 the Dodgers signed free agent starting pitcher Kevin Brown to a seven year $105 million contract -- thus becoming the first $100 million man in Baseball. In 2012 the Dodgers received Skip Schumaker in a trade with the Cardinals -- sending Jake Lemmerman to St. Louis in return.
  • Happy BirthdayBuzzie BavasiPeter O'Malley, Phenomenal SmithDerrell Griffith & Orlando Hudson! 
  • Dodgers Memorabilia: Check out a complete 7-ticket stub set from the 1955 World Series that are currently on auction at Grey Flannel (link here). They also have complete ticket stub sets from the 1981 World Series (link here) and the 1963 World Series (link here). There is also this great charity auction happening through MLB.com that benefits the Jackie Robinson Foundation and the Negro League Museum that features unique team experiences. Here is a Dave Roberts Experience (link here), a Spring Training Bat Boy/Bat Girl Experience (link here) and Pitching Lesson with Rick Honeycutt (link here).
  • Video: Happy Holidays from the Los Angeles Dodgers -- featuring Justin Turner, Kenley Jansen, Dave Roberts and Joc Pederson (Link Here).
  • Podcast: Dodgers Nation -- Sue Jo, Friend of the Show | Episode 34 | Blue Heaven Podcast (link here).
  • Guess who's in Vegas. Per a tweet from Tim Brown:
"He's doing well," Friedman said. "He just got back to L.A. today. Now I think he's to the point where he's able to switch gears from rehabbing, to training and we're encouraged by where he's at. Obviously, we'll know a lot more as we get into January and [he] ramps up his baseball skills."
Friedman said Seager has started a throwing program and is running and doing "a little bit" of hitting.
  • Alden Gonzalez at ESPN; "Dodgers manager Dave Roberts expects Clayton Kershaw to regain velocity."
  • Since his name is being bandied about I figured a story from Cleveland would be relevant. Here's what they are saying about Alex Verdugo. Per Ben Axelrod at WKYC; "Who is Alex Verdugo? Meet the Los Angeles Dodgers' top prospect linked to the Cleveland Indians in trade talks."
"One of the best pure hitting prospects in baseball, Verdugo recognizes pitches and controls the strike zone better than most players his age," his MLB.com scouting profile reads. "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."
  • Bill Plunkett tells us about a new hiring, via a tweet. Welcome to the Dodgers Scott Coolbaugh:

Brandon McCarthy announced his retirement from baseball a few months ago, but the retirement is apparently just from playing, as Andy McCullough tweets that McCarthy has joined the Texas Rangers baseball operations.
I don’t disagree with the odds that the Phillies should be the favorite to land Harper, but thinking about what I know about the free agency process and baseball players — I think Bryce will defy the odds.



* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *
* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

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