Blog Kiosk: 5/9/2016 - Dodgers Links - Baez, Puig and Urias

There was nothing but pink all day.  Featured above are Clayton Kershaw and Yasiel Puig in their Dodgers pink Mother's Day uniforms prior to the start of yesterdays game.  Pic above via Puig on twitter.  Unfortunately, one player didn't have his pink bat.  Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

Howie Kendrick had the go-ahead RBI with his usual bat, but he didn't mean to slight the Mother's Day theme.

"My pink bat got left behind, or I would have used it," he said. "It was in the rack back home, but it missed the plane."

BTW, the Dodgers won the game over the Blue Jays, 4-2.  They rallied, with the game tied at two, in the eight inning off an RBI single by Kendrick.  Then, Kenley Jansen shut the door with his eleventh save of the year.  So far, he is perfect is save opportunities this season.  Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"When you're really good, people can take you for granted," Kershaw said. "You expect him to go 1-2-3 and strike out the side. But he's not an unknown. It's just a matter of him being so good. What you want from a closer is someone who wants the ball, and Kenley embraces it. He wants to be out there, and that's huge."

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1947, the infamous photo of Jackie Robinson with Phillies manager Ben Chapman is taken prior to a game in Philadelphia.  As you know, Chapman lead an cavalcade of racial slurs against Jackie when they played in Brooklyn several days before, and the ensuing backlash against his actions caused him to seek amends by taking this photo.
• Happy Birthday, Aaron Harang!

Blog Kiosk: 11/6/2015 - Dodger Links - Ruggiano, Harang and Pederson

The photo above would be the culmination of many young boys lives.  After all, who didn't want to be either a ballplayer or a fireman... But to be both at the same time would cause most young minds to explode.  Featured, you've got Dodger manager Chuck Dressen and pitcher Joe Black spending the afternoon as fireman - complete with Brooklyn Ladder 13 helmet and firetruck.  No doubt Black, who was a phenom rookie reliever when this photo was taken in 1952, was in the midst of preparing to put out some wildfires at the Stadium and throughout the city. 

This photo is currently available at Albersheim's sports auction.  Check out the auction here.  Below are more links to check out:

• Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Ruggiano outrighted to Oklahoma City."  I think this is the gist of the situation:

Ruggiano, who made $2.505 million in 2015, would have been eligible for salary arbitration had he remained on the 40-man roster. He has enough service time that he can reject the assignment and become a free agent.

BTW, per Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, Ruggiano chose to enter free agency.   I wouldn't be surprised if he ended up staying a Dodger.

• David Laurila at FanGraphs shares an fascinating interview with former Dodger pitcher Aaron Harang, here.  He talks a bit about the art of pitching - throwing up in the strike zone (like Chris Young), adjusting to changing strike zones and breaking pitches.
• Via David Hood at True Blue LA, "Dodgers top 2016 prospects: Nos. 31-61."
• Via Xavier Alatorre at the Sports Quotient, "Joc Pederson And Patience At The Plate."

What does this mean going forward? Despite flaming out in the second half, the 2015 season cannot be considered a bust for Young Joc. The twenty-three-year-old hit an inevitable slump but made adjustments that paid off in the last two months of the season, though they may have gone unnoticed by some. Now that National League pitchers have seen a full season of Pederson’s swinging tendencies, adjustments will need to be made at the plate. Pederson needs to continue his patient approach and force pitchers to come to him. If he is able to stay away from outside pitches and can wait for more favorable pitches (low and inside) to land in the zone, then Pederson will be a formidable threat at the plate once again. 

• Next week Panini will be releasing their 2015 Contenders Baseball set and it includes a bunch of fast rising prospects and some old pro's.  Go here to check out a huge collection of preview photos.  You can also see cards of Dodger prospects Julio Urias, Corey Seager, Mitchell Hansen and former Ohio State star and former Dodger Frank Howard.

• The Senate report on the "pay for patriotism" brouhaha has just been released and is available here to review.  Fortunately, the Dodgers do not appear to have charged the armed forces, but other MLB clubs who did get paid to fake their patriotism includes the Braves, Red Sox, Diamondbacks and Phillies.  The DBacks received $40,000 from the Arizona Army National Guard to allow color guard demonstrations, a first pitch and a 40 tickets.  Shame on you guys!  Jason Lisk at The Big Lead has the story here.

The report lists 50 professional sports teams from the NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL and MLS that received some sort of federal funding to do a “pay for patriotism” promotion where it appeared to be honoring a military member or branch, but where they were receiving money for engaging in the activity. 

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Ramon Hernandez has Been Released

Signaling an end to a trade that still boggles my mind.  It has just been annouced, via Bill Shaikin of the LA Times on twitter, that catcher Ramon Hernandez has been released by the Dodgers.

#Dodgers officially release C Ramon Hernandez.
— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) June 22, 2013

As you recall, the Dodgers received Hernandez via a trade during Spring Training that sent starting pitcher Aaron Harang to the Rockies.  At the time, we were overstocked with starters, so a trade was imminent.  I think it's fair to say, though that what we got in return for Harang was less than overwhelming.  Hernandez was always just a temporary placeholder and was clearly on the downside of his career.  Furthermore, we had Tim Federowicz waiting in the wings, so this particular move looked unnecessary to me. 

To make matters worse, the Rockies immediately sent Harang to the Mariners for a minor league pitching prospect.  They received Steven Hensley, who is currently pitching relief for Colorado's AAA club in Colorado Springs.  I am unsure if he is any good, but suffice to say that having a potential arm in the bullpen (even a 26-year old arm) is better than an aging unnecessary catcher.

(pic credit: Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2013)

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Dodgers Notes from Spring Training: Spring Game 26/ Road Game 13

Throughout Spring Training the Dodgers PR department sends out helpful daily notes from Camelback Ranch, and I am happy to pass them along.  See what they've written below.

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LOS ANGELES DODGERS (9-13-3) vs. Kansas City Royals (17-6-1)
Wednesday, March 20, 2013 – 1:05 p.m. | Surprise Stadium
RHP Aaron Harang (1-0, 10.00) vs. RHP Wade Davis (2-0, 0.00)
TV: None | Radio: None

(twitter link: @Dodgers)

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(pic link: Cespedes & Puig: Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2013)

DODGER ROYALTY: The Dodgers take on the Royals for the second and final time this spring after defeating Kansas City, 8-1, on March 15 in Glendale. The clubs haven’t met during the regular season since 2005 and the Royals have the upper hand in the all-time series, 4-2. In case you’re counting, Opening Day against the Giants is just 12 days away!

• On the back fields at 1:00 p.m., Zack Greinke, Brandon League and J.P. Howell will all pitch in minor league games. Greinke is expected to throw around 45 pitches.

COSTLY VICTORY: Congratulations are in order for Dodger shortstop Hanley Ramirez and minor league right-handed pitcher Angel Castro on the Dominican Republic’s undefeated run to the World Baseball Classic title, capped off with a 3-0 win over Puerto Rico last night. Ramirez went 1-for-2 in the championship game before he was removed with an apparent thumb injury. He is expected back in Arizona this afternoon and will have an MRI to determine the severity of the injury. He finished the eight-game tournament by going 5-for-22 with two homers and three RBI.

• With Ramirez traveling and Dee Gordon out of the lineup with an ankle injury, Luis Cruz will make his first start of the spring at shortstop today. Last year, Cruz appeared in 24 games (23 starts) at shortstop, posting a .981 fielding percentage and committing just two errors in 205.1 innings.

BIRTHDAY BOY: The Dodgers would like to wish a very happy birthday to Pat Corrales, who is in his first season with the Dodgers as a special advisor to the GM. Corrales was the first Major League manager of Mexican-American descent and managed for nine years in the big leagues with the Rangers (1978- 80), Phillies (1982-83) and Indians (1983-87) following a nine-year playing career as a catcher.

FEELS LIKE ONLY YESTERDAY: The Dodgers jumped out to an early 3-0 lead yesterday with Yasiel Puig and Jerry Hairston Jr. hitting back-to-back first-inning homers and Chris Capuano delivered 5.2 strong innings as Los Angeles downed Oakland, 7-1, at Camelback Ranch. In addition to Puig and Hairston, Juan Uribe and Skip Schumaker added multi-hit games as the Dodger offense finished the game with 13 hits, including five for extra bases. The Dodger bullpen of Mark Lowe (1.1 IP), J.P. Howell (1.0 IP) and Brandon League (1.0 IP) was equally as impressive, allowing just two baserunners (hit, walk) to close out the game with 3.1 scoreless innings.

• After yesterday’s 13-hit barrage, the Dodgers now top National League clubs with a .288 team batting average and a .352 team on-base percentage.
• Los Angeles also leads the NL with 32 steals, led by league leader Dee Gordon’s seven stolen bases.

(pic link: Brandon League: Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2013)

LET’S CALL IT AN EVEN .500:  After drawing comparisons to Bo Jackson and Mark McGwire, Yasiel Puig continued to be the talk of camp yesterday by going 4-for-4 with two runs scored, a stolen base, a triple, a homer and two RBI, finishing a double shy of the cycle. Puig is batting an even .500 this spring, tops among National Leaguers, and also ranks among the league’s best in runs scored (13, T-3rd), hits (23, 2nd), total bases (37, 4th), stolen bases (4, T-4th), slugging percentage (.804, 2nd) and on-base percentage (.489, 4th).

ON THE HILL: Aaron Harang will make his fourth start of the spring today against the Royals after last pitching on Friday against the Padres. Harang allowed five runs (four earned) in 4.0 innings in that outing and has gone 1-0 with a 10.00 ERA in his three Cactus League starts. Last season, Harang posted a career-low 3.61 ERA while going 10-10 in 31 starts with the Dodgers.

• Today’s scheduled relievers, Ronald Belisario, Matt Guerrier, Kenley Jansen and Kevin Gregg, will go back-to-back and pitch tomorrow in a simulated game against Carl Crawford and Tim Federowicz at Camelback Ranch.

TUCSON-OLOGY:  On Monday, the Dodgers held their annual Tucson-ology draft to determine who would make the trip to Tucson tomorrow to play in the Christina-Taylor Green Memorial Foundation benefit game against the Cubs. The lucky winners were Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier, Mark Ellis, A.J. Ellis, Nick Punto, Skip Schumacher, Juan Uribe, Alex Castellanos and Stephen Fife.

• This will mark the Dodgers’ third annual benefit game in Tucson dating to 2011, when the Dodgers and Arizona Diamondbacks played a similar benefit game in Tucson with all proceeds going to the Tucson Together Fund. In addition, The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation, in partnership with the Diamondbacks, dedicated a Dodgers Dreamfield in Oro Valley, AZ, on a field that was re-named in memory of Christina-Taylor Green.

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Dodgers Notes from Spring Training: Spring Game 21/ Road Game 11

Throughout Spring Training the Dodgers PR department sends out helpful daily notes from Camelback Ranch, and I am happy to pass them along.  See what they've written below.

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LOS ANGELES DODGERS (7-10-3) at Texas Rangers (9-9-2)
Saturday, March 16, 2013 – 1:05 p.m. | Surprise Stadium
LHP Clayton Kershaw (2-2, 5.54) vs. LHP Matt Harrison (1-0, 9.00)
TV: None | Radio: KLAC, AM 570

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(pic credit: Juan Ocampo/LA Dodgers 2013)

SURPRISE PARTY: The Dodgers travel to Surprise to take on the Rangers for the second and final time this spring after tying Texas, 11-11, on March 7 at Camelback Ranch. Dallas native Clayton Kershaw (2-2, 5.54 ERA) will make his fifth start of the spring and is expected to throw up to 90 pitches today after allowing an unearned run in 5.0 innings in his last start on Sunday against the Rockies at Talking Stick. The left-hander, who will turn 25 on Tuesday, has won the last two MLB ERA titles.

SPLITSVILLE: The Dodgers split their day-night doubleheader yesterday, falling to the Padres, 8-7, in Peoria and beating the Royals, 8-1, in the nightcap in Glendale:

• In Peoria, the Dodgers fell, 8-7, to the Padres as San Diego rallied for three runs in the ninth inning off reliever Fabio Castro. The Dodgers had taken the lead with a five-run eighth inning. Starter Aaron Harang allowing five runs (four earned) on six hits in 4.0 innings in a no-decision and reliever Shawn Tolleson fired 1.2 innings of scoreless relief, lowering his spring ERA to 1.59.
• In Glendale, Los Angeles pounded out 14 hits, including four by Juan Uribe and three by Yasiel Puig, in its 8-1 win over the Royals. Stephen Fife picked up the win, allowing just one run on three hits in 4.2 innings, and Paco Rodriguez (1.1 IP), Kenley Jansen (1.0 IP), Kelvin De La Cruz (1.0 IP) and Josh Wall (1.0 IP) all tossed scoreless relief to seal the victory.

PUIG KNOWS: Last night against the Royals, Yasiel Puig went 3-for-3 with three runs scored, a stolen base and a two-run homer in the first inning, his second of the spring. Following the game, Don Mattingly compared Puig to Bo Jackson, citing his combination of power and speed, as Puig ranks among the National League leaders in batting average (.459, 2nd), runs scored (11, T-3rd), hits (17, T-3rd), on-base percentage (.447, 9th) and slugging percentage (.703, 6th).

• The Dodgers rank second in the NL with a .289 team batting average and lead the circuit with a .358 on-base percentage.
• Overall, the Dodgers lead the NL with 27 steals, including six by Dee Gordon, who leads the league.

(pic credit: Juan Ocampo/LA Dodgers 2013)

BIRTHDAY BOY: The Dodgers would like to wish a very happy 30th birthday to right-hander Brandon League today! League enters his second season with Los Angeles after re-signing with the club as a free agent this past offseason. League finished the 2012 campaign on a high note, tossing scoreless relief in 20 of his last 21 appearances with a 0.40 ERA from Aug. 21 through the conclusion of the season.

• League is scheduled to make his fourth official appearance of the spring today, but last pitched on Tuesday in a minor league game against Meiji University. After tossing an inning against the Japanese collegiate squad, League pitched a simulated inning against Carl Crawford.
• Since making his big league debut in 2004, League has posted the seventh-lowest groundball percentage among MLB relievers with a 74.5 mark.
• Minor Leaguer Rusty Ryal, who will wear No. 83 today, is also celebrating his 30th birthday today and has gone 2-for-7 in six games with the big league club this spring.

DIALING IT UP: Kenley Jansen has departed Dodger camp to join Team Netherlands in San Francisco for the semifinal round of the World Baseball Classic.  Jansen struck out one in a scoreless inning last night and has not allowed a run or a hit in his three Cactus League appearances (3.0 IP). The Curacao native played in five games for the Dutch in the 2009 World Baseball Classic as a catcher, batting .077 (1-for-13) with one walk.

• Hanley Ramirez and Team Dominican Republic have already advanced to next week’s semifinal round in San Francisco, but take on Puerto Rico today to determine seeding. Puerto Rico has a pair of Dodger minor leaguers on its roster with right-handers Andres Santiago and Mario Santiago.

IN RELIEF: In addition to League, Texas native Javy Guerra and left-hander J.P. Howell are also expected to see action this afternoon:

• Guerra has made just two official appearances this spring, allowing two hits in 2.0 scoreless innings. He last pitched in a Cactus League game on March 3 against the Indians.
• J.P. Howell last pitched on Tuesday in the minor league game against Meiji University and made his last Cactus League appearance on Saturday with a scoreless inning against the Mariners. After allowing two runs in his first spring game on Feb. 26, Howell has tossed a scoreless inning in both of his last two appearances and last year, established a Tampa Bay franchise record with 27.1 consecutive scoreless frames from June 14-Aug. 30.

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Dodgers Blog Kiosk: 3/5/2013

The WBC in full swing.  Check out Team Italy coach Mike Piazza in the photo above, as tweeted by Craig Calcaterra.

• Matt Kemp is set to make his first Spring Training start, via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com.
• Mike Petriello explores 'Finding the Perfect Trade Return for Aaron Harang.'
• The above story follows the news that scouts from the Orioles and Brewers were recently in the stands to scout Harang, via Kevin Baxter at the LA Times.  It had also been reported elsewhere that the Reds were also there.
• Emma at Dodger Blue World honors former Brooklyn Dodger Don Lund.
• Roberto at Vin Scully is My Homeboy shows us Matt Kemp's big fathead.
• Dodger Thoughts isn't dead.  It's on a hiatus.  Jon Weisman just posted up a funny video featuring Dodgers reliever Matt Guerrier.
• The 2013 Topps Heritage comes out tomorrow.  Stay tuned for pics of all the Dodgers' cards soon.  In the meantime, check out a "Then & Now" preview subset card below of Sandy Koufax and Clayton Kershaw that was tweeted by Topps.

(twitter link: @toppscards)

• Bob Lemke tells us about Emlen Tunnell, who was the 'Jackie Robinson' of the Central Association.
• Wow!  This is awesome.  Check out the Sporting Statues Project here.  They are listing every sports related statue in the USA and UK.  (Hat Tip: Baseball Musings)
• Via Kevin Roderick at LA Observed, the downtown LA football stadium that AEG wants to build is dead.
• As a young college student in Fullerton, I had a chance to see many up-n-coming bands play on campus.  As you may recall, the music scene in the early 90's was incredible.  Anyway, one afternoon outdoor show has always stuck out in my mind, and it was a performance by Rage Against the Machine.  I've come to realize that they were only a few month old, so they were still working out their kinks.  Still, they were full of piss and vinegar, and displayed the showmanship that would endear them to fans worldwide.  Well, I recently found out that someone with a camcorder was there in 1992, and they put up a couple of videos on youtube for me to relive my youth.  Check it out below.

Video Link:

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Dodgers Notes from Spring Training: Spring Game 6/ Home Game 4

Throughout Spring Training the Dodgers PR department sends out helpful daily notes from Camelback Ranch, and I am happy to pass them along.  See what they've written below.

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Los Angeles Angels (0-4-2)LOS ANGELES DODGERS (2-1-2)
Thursday, February 28, 2013 – 1:05 p.m. | Camelback Ranch, Glendale, AZ
LHP Clayton Kershaw vs. RHP Jerome Williams

(twitter link: @Dodgers)

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(pic link: Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2012)

START A STREAK: Fresh off a road victory, the Dodgers host the Angels this afternoon at Camelback Ranch, before sending a split squad to Tempe tomorrow and wrapping up a two-game Cactus League set with their I-5 neighbors. The Freeway series will then take place from March 28-30, including the 2013 Dodger Stadium opener on March 29. The Dodgers face the Angels in the regular season on May 27 and 28 at Dodger Stadium and May 29 and 30 at Angel Stadium. Last season, the Halos went 4-2 against the Boys in Blue, taking two of three in both series. In case you were wondering and I know you were, there are just 32 days until Opening Day!

•  The Dodgers popped off for 11 runs yesterday, including three hits apiece for Alfredo Amezaga and Elian Herrera and three RBI for Jerry Hairston Jr. In addition, outfielder Alex Castellanos belted his second home run of the spring and Yasiel Puig scored three runs. On the mound, Matt Magill was impressive again, tossing 2.0 scoreless innings while RHP Javy Guerra made his 2013 debut with a scoreless frame.  

HILLTOPPERS: Dodger ace Clayton Kershaw will make his second Cactus League start after allowing two runs and four hits in 2.0 innings to the White Sox last Saturday. The left-hander will attempt to become the first pitcher to win three consecutive Major League ERA titles since Greg Maddux accomplished the feat from 1993-95 as a member of the Braves.

• LHP Ted Lilly is set to make his 2013 debut today. Lilly won five of his first seven starts without a loss last season, but did not pitch again due to left shoulder inflammation after suffering his first defeat on May 23. 
• RHP Peter Moylan will make his second spring appearance after giving up two runs in 0.2 innings last Sunday vs. the Chicago White Sox. Moylan has a career record of 20-9 with a 2.59 ERA over 295 games with the Atlanta Braves.  
• RHP Josh Wall will also make his second Cactus League appearance after firing 1.1 scoreless innings and striking out two in his debut last Sunday. Wall picked up the win in his Major League debut last season on July 22 at Citi Field, but was optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque the next day.
• RHP Steve Ames fired a scoreless frame last Sunday and is set to make his second 2013 appearance. Ames was added to the Dodgers’ 40-man roster on Nov. 20, 2012 after going 3-3 with a 1.56 ERA and 18 saves in 54 games for Double-A Chattanooga last season.   

(pic link: Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2012)

GET YOUR BIG LEAGUE ON: The Dodgers will have three minor leaguers joining the club vs. the Angels today with right-handed pitchers Andres Santiago (#92) and Blake Johnson  (#83) coming over along with LHP Fabio Castro (#82). Johnson notched a save in the Dodgers’ first win of the spring after being signed out of the open tryout in 2012.

• Speaking of the open tryout, more than 80 Dodger hopefuls came out to test their wares on the minor league side this morning. Among those who showed off for the Dodger scouts were a 54-year-old local pitcher, a 40+-year-old Japanese professional hurler and Iraq war veteran Daniel “Doc” Jacobs, who lost his left leg below the knee and suffered serious hand and foot injuries when an IED exploded beneath him in 2006. Jacobs has sustained more than 50 surgeries, but has returned to his naval infantry and for one day at least was able to try out for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Jacobs will also throw out a ceremonial first pitch prior to today’s game. 

LET’S GET IT GOING DODGER FANS!: Dodger center fielder Matt Kemp advanced to the finals of MLB Network’s #FaceofMLB and is currently trailing Cincinnati’s Joey Votto in MLB Network’s bracket to decide who the Face of MLB is. The online hashtag battle (#MattKemp) runs through tomorrow. Start tweeting!

LEGENDS ARRVING: The Dodgers would like to welcome Special Advisor to the Chairman and medical pioneer Dr. Frank Jobe to Camelback Ranch today. Jobe arrived a day before Eric Karros, who will be in uniform tomorrow, speaking to the club in the morning meeting.

TODAY ON THE DIAL: AM 570 Fox Sports LA TODAY ON THE TUBE: PRIME TICKET

HE COMES FROM A LAND DOWN UNDER: The Dodgers would like to welcome former outfielder Trent Oeltjen back to Camelback Ranch today. The Sydney, Australia native was a Dodger from 2010-12 and is now a non-roster invitee for the Angels.

WORTH WATCHING: Today’s game will be broadcast live on PRIME TICKET and heard on AM 570 Fox Sports Los Angeles. This morning, Hall of Fame broadcaster Vin Scully sat down with legendary Hall of Fame pitcher Sandy Koufax for a brief interview that will air on PRIME TICKET this afternoon.

(pic link: Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2012)

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Dodgers Notes from Spring Training: Spring Game 5/ Road Game 2

Throughout Spring Training the Dodgers PR department sends out helpful daily notes from Camelback Ranch, and I am happy to pass them along.  See what they've written below.

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LOS ANGELES DODGERS (1-1-2) at Chicago Cubs (3-1)
Wednesday, February 27, 2013 – 1:05 p.m. | Hohokam Park, Mesa, AZ
RHP Aaron Harang vs. LHP Brooks Raley

(twitter link: @Dodgers)

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(pic link: Jon SooHoo/ LA Dodgers 2013)

HIT THE ROAD!: The Dodgers travel to Mesa today for their first true road game of the spring as they meet the Cubs for the second time in three days after Los Angeles’ 7-6 win on Monday at Camelback Ranch. After today, the clubs will meet two more times this spring and then seven times during the regular season, Aug. 1-4, at Wrigley Field and Aug. 26-28 at Dodger Stadium. Los Angeles won the season series, 4-2, last season and according to the Elias Sports Bureau, the Dodgers hold a slim, 1,028-1,023-14, advantage in the franchises’ 2,065 all-time meetings. In case you were wondering and I know you were, there are just 33 days until Opening Day!

• The Giants rallied for four runs in the ninth inning yesterday to tie the Dodgers, 8-8. Los Angeles batted around during a five-run second inning that knocked Tim Lincecum out of the game and also plated three runs in the sixth inning on Alex Castellanos’ three-run homer. Skip Schumaker and non-roster hopeful Jeremy Moore both hit two-run doubles during the club’s second-inning rally with Moore going 2-for-2 with two doubles, a run scored and two RBI on the afternoon. On the mound, Josh Beckett threw 27 pitches and struck out three in 2.0 scoreless frames in his first start of the spring.

HILLTOPPERS: Aaron Harang will make his 2013 debut this afternoon after going 10-10 with a career-best 3.61 ERA in 31 starts last season with the Dodgers. Harang made just one start against the Cubs last year and did not factor in the decision despite allowing just two runs in 6.0 innings in an eventual 4-3 Dodger loss on May 6 at Wrigley Field. In his career, the 35-year-old right-hander has thrown more innings against the Cubs than any other big league club (165.2 IP), going 11-8 with a 4.40 ERA in 26 starts against Chicago.

• RHP Ronald Belisario is expected to make his second appearance of the spring this afternoon after allowing two runs on three hits in 1.0 inning on Saturday against the White Sox. Belisario did not allow a hit or a run in three appearances against the Cubs last season, walking one and striking out four in 3.0 frames.
• RHP Mark Lowe tossed a scoreless inning on Saturday against the White Sox and will be making his second appearance of the spring. Lowe, a seven-year big league veteran, is in his first season with Los Angeles after two-plus years with the Rangers.
• RHP Javy Guerra will make his 2013 debut today after having his 2012 season cut short by an oblique injury. Guerra has been successful in 29 of 36 save opportunities in his career and his 2.45 ERA is the 15th lowest mark among NL relievers during the past two seasons.
• RHP Matt Magill enters the season rated as the Dodgers’ No. 9 prospect by Baseball America and will make his second appearance of the spring after striking out three in 1.1 scoreless frames on Saturday against the White Sox. Magill was a 2012 Double-A Southern League All-Star and was honored as the league’s pitcher of the week on three occasions last year, going 11-8 with a 3.75 ERA in 26 starts for Chattanooga.

(pic link: Jon SooHoo/ LA Dodgers 2013)

LET’S GET IT GOING DODGER FANS!: Dodger center fielder Matt Kemp advanced to the finals of MLB Network’s #FaceofMLB and is currently trailing Cincinnati’s Joey Votto in MLB Network’s bracket to decide who the Face of MLB is. The online hashtag battle (#MattKemp) runs through Friday. Start tweeting!

TODAY ON THE DIAL: None TODAY ON THE TUBE: None LACE ‘EM UP: Tomorrow morning is the Dodgers’ annual open tryout in which any ballplayer can come to the fields and attempt to earn a minor league contract. Registration will begin promptly at 8 a.m. with the tryout taking place at 9 a.m. on the minor league back fields. Players just have to bring their own uniform and then dazzle the staff.

MAJORING IN THE MINORS: The Dodgers will have six minor leaguers joining the club in Mesa today with outfielder Matt Angle (#82), infielders Rafael Ynoa (#83) and Rusty Ryal (#84) and pitchers RHP Angel Sanchez (#87), LHP Eric Eadington (#88) and RHP Red Patterson (#89). Today will be a homecoming of sorts for Eadington, Patterson and Ynoa, who played in Mesa during their stints last fall in the Arizona Fall League. Ynoa, 25, led the Solar Sox with a .330 batting average, 32 hits, four triples, 20 RBI in 27 games.

WORTH WATCHING: Today’s game will not be televised or on the radio in Los Angeles, but tomorrow’s 1:05 pm game (12:05 pm PT) can be seen on PRIME TICKET and heard on AM 570 Fox Sports Los Angeles. During tomorrow’s telecast, an excerpt of a special interview will air featuring a pair of Hall of Famers, Vin Scully and Sandy Koufax.

• Yesterday, team photographer Jon SooHoo shot a once-in-a-lifetime photo with legendary Dodgers Maury Wills and Sandy Koufax, Hall of Fame broadcasters Vin Scully and Jaime Jarrin, Hall of Fame Manager Tommy Lasorda and Team Travel Advisor Billy Delury that represented more than three hundred combined years of service to the club. That photo along with SooHoo’s daily photo galleries can be viewed on Dodgers.com.

(pic link: Jon SooHoo/ LA Dodgers 2013)

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Dodgers Notes from Spring Training: Full-Squad Workout #7

Throughout Spring Training the Dodgers PR department sends out helpful daily notes from Camelback Ranch, and I am happy to pass them along.  See what they've written below.

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(pic credit: Jon Soo Hoo/LA Dodgers 2013)

SEVENTH HEAVEN: Today, the Dodgers held their seventh and final full-squad workout before beginning their 40-game exhibition schedule tomorrow against the White Sox. The team worked on pick offs and rundowns followed by Aaron Harang, Kenley Jansen and Javy Guerra throwing live BP. Chris Capuano, Chad Billingsley, Hyun-Jin Ryu and Paco Rodriguez all threw bullpens under the watchful eye of Hall of Famer Sandy Koufax.

• The club will play 36 games in Arizona before playing its final four exhibition games in the greater Los Angeles area against the Angels and Single-A Rancho Cucamonga.
• The Spring Training edition of Dodgers Magazine will debut tomorrow at Camelback Ranch and features the heart of the Dodger lineup on the cover; Matt Kemp, Adrian Gonzalez, Hanley Ramirez and Andre Ethier. For those unable to pick one up in Glendale, magazines are also available online at Dodgers.com/magazine.

THIS IS GETTING REAL: Tomorrow is Opening Day at Camelback Ranch with the Dodgers taking on the White Sox for the first of three times during the Cactus League slate. Clayton Kershaw, the 2012 MLB ERA champ, will take the hill for Los Angeles against Chicago right-hander Dylan Axelrod, with RHP Mark Lowe, RHP Ronald Belisario, RHP Stephen Fife, RHP Matt Magill, LHP Kelvin De La Cruz and RHP Gregory Infante expected in relief.

• With Matt Kemp and Carl Crawford likely having their first Cactus League action delayed until around March 1, Don Mattingly announced that tomorrow’s outfield would feature Andre Ethier in right field, Skip Schumaker in center field and Jerry Hairston Jr. in left field.
• On Sunday, the two clubs will meet again at 1:05 pm local time (12:05 pm in Los Angeles) with starter Zack Greinke and Hyun-Jin Ryu making their Dodger debuts against Chicago right-hander Erik Johnson.
• The Dodgers have played the White Sox in four of the last five years during Interleague Play with Chicago holding a 7-5 advantage in the series.

(pic credit: Jon Soo Hoo/LA Dodgers 2013)

COULD BE LEGENDARY: Dodger alumni Ron Cey, Tim Leary, Fernando Valenzuela, Maury Wills and Steve Yeager will help celebrate a new season of Cactus League play at Camelback Ranch - Glendale’s inaugural Legends Weekend. Former greats from both the Dodgers (tomorrow) and White Sox (Sunday) franchises will be on hand to sign autographs and greet fans from 11:30 am-12:30 pm before being introduced in pregame ceremonies.  I previously posted about the Legends Weekend last week- check out that information here.

CLASSIC BASEBALL: Yesterday, the final rosters were submitted for the 2013 World Baseball Classic with the Dodgers well represented in the once-every-four-year event with Adrian Gonzalez and Luis Cruz playing for Team Mexico, Hanley Ramirez for the Dominican Republic, Ronald Belisario for Venezuela and Nick Punto for Italy. In addition, former Dodger skipper Joe Torre will pilot the U.S. squad. Players will leave camp on or near March 1 with pool play for the World Baseball Classic beginning on March 2 in Taiwan and Japan and on March 7 in Pools C and D in Puerto Rico and Arizona.

• Three places that Tommy Lasorda is likely to be found: Bucca di Beppo, Grimaldi’s and now the visiting clubhouse at Camelback Ranch, ever since it became occupied by Team Italy. The Italians will be here working out until March 5, when Team Mexico moves in prior to their exhibition game on Wednesday, March 6 at Camelback Ranch. 
• Charley Steiner will be calling the Pool D games in Phoenix for MLB International, featuring the United States, Mexico, Canada and Italy. Steiner will call the first of 16 Spring Training games on AM 570 Fox Sports Los Angeles tomorrow alongside Rick Monday, while Jaime Jarrin, Fernando Valenzuela and Pepe Yniguez can be heard in Spanish tomorrow on KTNQ 1020 AM.

YOU SEE THIS FACE?: Dodger center fielder Matt Kemp advanced to the finals of MLB Network’s #FaceofMLB contest on Twitter by defeating Atlanta’s Jason Heyward in yesterday’s vote. In tomorrow’s finals, Kemp will face the winner of today’s semifinal matchup of Andrew McCutchen and Joey Votto in MLB Network’s bracket to decide who is the Face of MLB. The current bracket matchups can be viewed here.

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Dodgers Blog Kiosk: 2/14/2013

Happy Valentines day, Dodger fans!  Pic via twitter @Dodgers.

• Ken Rosenthal at Fox writes a great piece on Zack Greinke- the Baseball Junkie.
• Terence Moore at MLB.com tells us that according to Lasorda's gospel, pennants are won in the Spring.

"Spring Training is where you develop every aspect of the game. You develop unity. You develop hard work. You develop self-confidence. You've got to make them believe they'll finish No. 1.

"You win the pennant in Spring Training."

• Michael Barr at RotoGraphs takes a look at the Dodgers outfield depth.
• Mike Piazza blames Vin Scully for turning the fans against him?  Wha....?  Via Bill Shaikin at the LA Times.  I think his ire is misplaced.  He should be angry at News Corp./Fox Sports.  They traded him to gain favor with Florida in order to get a television deal done, then leaked BS rumors to cover their tracks.  Remember, Piazza's trade had nothing to do with his contract demands.  Instead, it had everything to do with non-Baseball field related business.
• Piazza is all over the news lately, eh?  Anyway, he recently spoke with Jay Mohr at AM570 about the steroid issue.  Listen to it here.
• Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, writes about the Capuano and Harang starting pitching situation.
• Check out a bunch of photos from Spring Training from Naver.com.  And as always, Jon SooHoo puts up his photos from yesterday, here.
• The FanCave contestants have been whittled down to 30, and 2 of the Dodger fans in the running made it through.  Congratulations to Jeremy Dorn and Thomas Roberts.  Check out my interviews with both of them by clicking their names above.
• Isai Rocha at Dodgers Nation tells us the 5 things that won't be missed in 2013.  I wholeheartedly agree with this list.
• Eric Stephen at True Blue LA speaks with Justin Sellers about his recent arrest.  

"It was a big misunderstanding. There was not a helicopter, nothing like that. There were no pedestrians in the area. They did me wrong. It was horrible. I felt, man, this was not good," Sellers said. "There are bigger crimes out there then messing with me on a dirt bike."

•  Ron Cervenka at Think Blue LA informs us that they will be using a humidor in Albuquerque.

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Dodgers Blog Kiosk: 12/27/2012 - New Dodgers Batting Practice Lids

A little belated on my part.  Here is a pic tweeted by the @Dodgers of Don Mattingly playing the part of Donnie Claus on Christmas Eve.

• Battle of Los Angeles: Angels vs. Dodgers, via David Leon Moore at USA Today.

Whether Angels owner Arte Moreno was urged to break the bank for Hamilton by the Dodgers' signing of Greinke is a matter of conjecture.

But these two franchises have been poking fun at each other for a long time, and Moreno seemed to be particularly enjoying himself talking about the Dodgers at the news conference introducing Hamilton.

• Ken Gurnick at MLB.com takes a look back at the 2012 Dodgers and notes the top 5 Dodger moments.
• Stacie Wheeler at Lasorda's Lair notes the importance of Chad Billingsley to the Dodgers this upcoming season.
• Eric Stephen at True Blue LA informs us that Ivan DeJesus Jr. was also a part of the Joel Hanrahan for Jerry Sands trade.
• This just warms my heart.  Steve Dilbeck at the LA Times shares a great story from Dodger Stadium this past season that includes a 11-year old kid who can teach us all a little bit about giving.
• Dustin Nosler at Feelin' Kinda Blue takes a look at some videos of several Dodgers prospects.
• Here's the strangest list you'll see about 2012.  Jayson Stark at ESPN notes some truly bizarre and wacky things from the 2012 Baseball season.

Only one pitcher in the National League struck out nine hitters in a row in any game this year. But it wasn't Cliff Lee, Stephen Strasburg or Clayton Kershaw. It was (who else?) Aaron Harang, who punched out nine straight Padres on April 13. So how many other times do you think Harang has struck out nine in a game in his last 73 starts? None. Of course!

• What gives, Google?  Via Markle05 on Reddit, if you do a Google search on Clayton Kershaw they note that his nickname is "The Claw."  When did this happen?  Am I that clueless?

• Paul Lukas, proprietor at Uni Watch, writes at ESPN about the new batting practice caps for the 2013 Baseball season.  Below is what the Dodgers will be wearing next to what they wore in the recent past.  Go read his article for a sneak peak at what other teams will be wearing.

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Dodgers Blog Kiosk: 12/17/2012

Dodgers photographer Jon SooHoo shared a bunch of photos from this past weekends Dodgers Mall Tour with Nick Punto and Tim Leary.  See more photos here.

• Ned Colletti Explains Team's Spending, via Mark Saxon at ESPN.  Listen to the interview, here.

"Our payroll a year ago was $90 [million]," Colletti said in an interview on ESPNLA 710. "We're up over $200 [million] now. If you added it all up, it might be up over 300 [million] over two years. Had we been at 150 last year and 150 this year, nobody would be saying a word, right?

• Mark Saxon also writes of the Dodgers/Angels marketing rivalry.

Now, there's this exciting slugfest going on, the Dodgers and Angels bringing baseball's spending war 3,000 miles west, from the Interstate 95 corridor of Boston and New York to the I-5 corridor between L.A. and Anaheim. Everybody knows what it's about: TV money, ridiculous amounts. The Angels got theirs about a year ago, for $3 billion over 20 years from Fox. The Dodgers are in the process of hammering theirs out now and, according to some reports, they could land double what the Angels got. Moneyball was so 2002, so Bay Area.

• Ken Rosenthal at Fox Sports notes that the Dodgers are one of five teams to watch right now.  Both Harang and Capuano figure on being traded.
• Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, Dodgers bench coach Trey Hillman is excited to be reunited with Zack Greinke.

"He can be a little standoffish. There are days he doesn't speak," said Hillman. "But he's a good teammate, especially with his fellow starting pitchers. My objective was to stay out of his way. I had maybe six or seven conversations with him the whole year. There wasn't really a need for more. 

• Eric Stephen at True Blue LA writes about AJ Ellis and arbitration.
• With the recent influx of Cuban ballplayers into the Majors, Gary Ashwill at Agate Type takes a look at the first Cubans to play in the American minor leagues in 1904.
• I found this story hilarious.  Charlie Sheen, in a drunken filled episode, gave away his prized Babe Ruth autographed Baseball to Zach Efron, via Big League Stew.  BTW, the British press has it wrong.  No Ruth autographed Baseball has every sold for a value near $2.6Mil. 
• Below is a Happy Holidays message from the Dodgers.

Video Link:

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