Monday, December 23, 2019

Blog Kiosk: 12/23/2019 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

In honor of today's Festivus Day I bring to you a letter written by Tommy Lasorda to George Castanza, of Seinfeld fame, that attempts to recruit him for the Dodgers (Hat Tip: u/WoodyPecker on Reddit). It says:
Congratulations on a great career with the Yankees! You lasted than any of Steinbrenner's managers! 
Everyone know that the Yankees hadn't won for years until you joined them. Their batters couldn't hit water if they fell out of a boat! But you get there and they win a World Series championship. Now, I want you to do the same for the Dodgers. 
We're looking for your bhig ideas. Like the cotton uniforms, for example... BRILLIANT! They'll be great in LA. I got my order from the very top, George. Now that you're a FREE AGENT, we'll do whatever it takes to get you in Dodger Blue. All the Slim Fast you'll ever need, if that's what it takes.
Below are more links to check out:
  • This Day in Dodgers HistoryIn 1953 Dodgers second baseman Jim "Junior" Gilliam is named the National League Rookie of the Year. He slashed .278/.383/.415/.798 with a league leading 17 triples. In 1958 traded infielder and future Hall of Fame manager Sparky Anderson to the Phillies for Rip Repulski, Jim Golden and Gene SnyderIn 2004 the Dodgers signed free agent outfielder JD Drew to a five-year, $55 million deal contract that includes and option clause after the second season. He would slash .284/.399/.505/.905 his first two years, and immediately exercised that option to become a free agent. He would then five-year, $70 million contract with the Red Sox. In 2016 the Dodgers signed team-leader Justin Turner to a four-year, $64 million contract.
  • Happy Birthday, Doc GesslerBunny FabriqueDanny TaylorOx EckhardtMax RosenfeldPat AnkenmanTim HarknessRay LambTim LearyCody RossHanley Ramírez!
  • Dodger Talk: Off-Season Dodger Talk with David Vassegh with Gavin Lux in-studio talking baseball and taking your phone calls (Podcast Link).
  • YouTube Video: Adrian Gonzalez reveals to Kristine Leahy of Fair Game his close relationship with Yasiel Puig during his time with the Los Angeles Dodgers (video link).
  • Sports Illustrated shares their Best Photos of 2019 and it includes a Dodger hurler and Baseball's best at Dodger Stadium. Go here to check them all out.
  • Per an AP report -- "Dodgers Lefty Rich Hill Wins Tony Conigliaro Award": The honor goes to a major leaguer "who has overcome adversity through the attributes of spirit, determination and courage that were the trademarks of Tony C."
"I’m really humbled and honored by this award and honestly a little thrown by it," Hill said. "Having grown up here, I am very familiar with Tony C.’s story, so this means a lot to me and my family."
  • Via Laguna Woods Village -- "Meet Laguna Woods Village’s Newest Supercentenarian" and he's a Dodger fan!
Born in Brooklyn, New York, Irv is a life-long Dodgers fan. He watched his first game at just 8 years old—more than 100 years ago. Over the years, he saw all the greats, but his favorite player is Jackie Robinson. “I enjoy hearing the games and hopefully I’ll be around when the season starts again,” he said. Two years ago when Irv turned 108, the Dodgers recognized him as the team’s oldest living Dodger’s fan.
Rachel Marcus at ESPN reprints a story about Irving Piken, which originally ran in 2017, that celebrates him being the oldest man in the United States and the oldest Dodger fan. Check it out here.
 Piken saw most of the greats, including Babe Ruth.
"He was kind of cocky about his ability to hit home runs," Piken said. 
But his favorite player will always be Jackie Robinson. 
"I remember his antics and playing the pitchers and finally stealing home plate a number of times, which was done by very few ballplayers who had the ability to react as quickly," Piken recalled. "It was very thrilling to watch it."
I am sad to see him go. I like Ryu a lot, and wish nothing but good things for him with the Blue Jays -- except, of course, when (if) he faces the Dodgers. That said, I wonder if the Dodgers made an offer to him. 


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

No comments:

Post a Comment

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...