Blog Kiosk: 10/12/2018 - Dodgers Links - Game 1 Today!

Who knew Maeda had such style? Check out Kenta sporting a rather stylish outfit with the Dodgers resident fashion maven, Matt Kemp, while on the plane as they head out to Milwaukee for today's game, via the Dodgers on twitter. BTW, the Dodgers released their roster for the NLCS this morning and there is only one notable change. Lefty Julio Urias will replace fellow-lefty Scott Alexander in the bullpen. Check out the entire roster below.

On a side note, I am very excited about this series, and not for why you might think.

One of my favorite teams growing up (other than the Dodgers) was the Brewers, and the reason isn't really all too surprising. The very first little league team I played on was the Brew Crew, so as a child I gravitated, just a bit, towards that club. I followed them in the standings and would collect players like Cecil Cooper, Ben Oglivie, Ted Simmons and Gorman Thomas. But there was one player I was absolutely smitten with. It was Robin Yount, and to this very day I still collect his cards. So, this matchup brings up all kinds of weird feelings -- most of which is utter excitement at seeing a boyhood dream finally come true. As I'm sure you know, this is the very first time the Dodgers and Brewers have ever faced each other in the playoffs.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1916 the Brooklyn Robins lost Game 5 against the Boston Red Sox to lose the World Series. As a side note, Boston played their games at the home of their NL rival, Boston Braves, since their stadium held more patrons than Fenway Park. In 1920 the Cleveland Indians defeated the Brooklyn Robins to win the World Series. In 1949 Vin Scully, after being recruited by Red Barber, worked his very first broadcast of his career when he does play-by-play for a college football game between Maryland and Boston University. He famously called the game from atop the roof during a very frigid day at Fenway Park. In 1988 Orel Hershiser threw a five-hit shutout victory, 6-0, against the NY Mets in Game 7 of the NLCS to advance to the World Series.
• Happy Birthday, Ed Householder, Steve Shirley, Sid Fernandez, Jose Valentin, Tanyon Sturtze & Nick Tepesch!

Blog Kiosk: 6/29/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Kershaw looked liked he hadn't missed a beat. He was fantastic during his first start since going on the DL. Per Alden Gonzalez at ESPN:

"I saw 100 percent from him," Dodgers catcher Austin Barnes said of Kershaw. "I didn't see anything hampering or laboring or anything. I thought he was the Kershaw that I know."

Dave Roberts added more, via Rowan Kavner at Dodger Insider:

“Very positive for us going forward,” said manager Dave Roberts. “Clayton was efficient, got up and down five times, felt the fastball had life (at 92–93 mph), good command. Curveball was sharp and the slider was good. I think that it’s only going to get better.”

Photo above of Kershaw via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2018 at Dodger Insider. Clayton went five innings, striking out six and walking none. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1990 Fernando Valenzuela no-hit the Cardinals, 6-0, at Dodger Stadium.  With 119 pitches he struck out seven and walked three.  Also, on this same night, former Dodgers starter Dave Stewart threw a no-hitter against the Blue Jays; thereby marking the first time in modern Baseball history that two no-hitters were thrown on the same day. In 1995 Hideo Nomo struck out thirteen Rockies to give him a then team record of 50 strike outs in four consecutive starts. In 1996 Mike Piazza hit three home runs against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. He became the fifth Dodger to hit three homers in a game. In 2012 the Dodgers signed amateur free agent Yasiel Puig.
• Happy Birthday, Wilbert "Uncle Robbie" Robinson, Farmer Steelman, Bobby Morgan, Rick Honeycutt & Pedro Guerrero!

Blog Kiosk: 6/1/2018 - Dodgers Links - We Was Robbed

WTF!

Check out the above screengrab from yesterdays game. Shown is Phillies third baseman Maikel Franco scoring on a single in the second inning to score the first run of the game... But, did he really score? Clearly, he is at least a foot away from home plate. (you can watch a GIF of it here) Nevertheless, no replay was requested, the run counted and the Dodgers lost 2-1. Per Liz Roscher at Yahoo Sports:

Umpire Will Little was fooled, too. As the home plate umpire, he was tasked with making those tough plays, and he missed it. After the game, Grandal told The Athletic that he wasn’t amused. 

“I obviously didn’t know if he’d touched it or not,” Grandal said. “The first thing I said was, ‘Did he tag the plate?’ And (Little) said, ‘Yes.’” 

That, Grandal said, left him with no choice. 

“If he calls him safe and is telling me he tagged the plate,” Grandal said, “there’s no reason to go and tag him.”

It's amazing that no one wearing Blue noticed -- not Dave Roberts, not any of the players in the dugout and not any of the fans who had a bird's-eye view of the play. Nobody saw it; therefore, nobody put up a stink. In a game filled with over 40,000 hometown fans, I find this to be amazing. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1955 the Brooklyn Dodgers set a franchise record when they hit six home runs in a game during their victory over the Milwaukee Braves at Ebbets Field. Duke Snider hit three homers in the contest (becoming the first Dodger to do it twice), to go along with home runs by Jackie Robinson, Pee Wee Reese and Roy Campanella. In 1962 Don Drysdale defeated the Philadelphia Phillies for the 13th consecutive time - a streak that began in 1958. I remember this next incident so well. In 1997 Wilton Guerrero shattered his bat during an at-bat and immediately scrambled to pick up the bat pieces instead of running to first base. Obviously, home plate umpire Steve Ripley got suspicious and subsequently searched the remains. Ripley found cork, ejected Guerrero and then the league suspended for eight games.
• Happy Birthday, Otto Miller, Ty Tyson, Ray Moore, Chuck Templeton, Ken McMullen & Derek Lowe!

Blog Kiosk: 5/4/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

This weekends games in Monterrey, Mexico against the Padres are likely to feel like home games to the 'Boys in Blue'. Per Bill Shaikin at the LA Times:

"It's going to be awesome," Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen said. "The Dodger fans, the majority of them, are Mexicans. No disrespect to any other people. 

"They are die-hard fans. No matter how we are doing, they will always be supportive."

Photo above via MLB México on twitter. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1919 Brooklynites attend the very first major league game played on a Sunday in Brooklyn due to a new law passed by the NY Legislature called the "Sunday Baseball Bill." The Brooklyn Dodgers defeated the Boston Braves at Ebbets Field, 6-2. In 1966 Willie Mays hits his 512nd career home run off of Dodgers hurler Claude Osteen at Candlestick Park. The homer breaks the NL All-Time home run mark held by Mel Ott. In 1976 it is declared Rick Monday Day in Illinois. The then Cubs outfielder is presented with the flag he saved from an on-field burning attempt at Dodger Stadium. In 2009 the Dodgers win their 11th straight game to start the season -- breaking a NL record. In 2012 the Dodgers signed free agent outfield Bobby Abreu to a one-year $9 million contract.
• Happy Birthday, Sid Gautreaux!