Blog Kiosk: 8/18/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - The Brothers Seager

As you surely know by now, the Seagers -- Corey and Kyle -- played against each other for the first time in their career last night. Better yet, they both homered in the game -- becoming the first brothers to do so for opposing teams in the same game since 2001. Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

“It was hard almost to stay focused with him out there, you want to go talk to him,” said Corey. “And he’s a talker, he wanted me to go over there. You try to be in the moment as much as possible. You’re still trying to win a game. But when you got around him, it was hard to not see your brother in the opponent. Really enjoyed it, one of those things we’ll remember for a long time.”

Photo above via @Dodgers on twitter. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1959 former Dodger GM Branch Rickey is named President of the newly formed Continental League. The new third Major League never plays a game, though. Instead, it became a catalyst for the addition of eight more teams to the American and National Leagues over the next decade. In 1977 Dodger Hall of Famer Don Sutton threw his fifth career one-hitter. It was against the hated Giants at Dodger Stadium, 7-0 (boxscore). Sutton recorded seven strikeouts and issued four walks -- on the way to his 11th victory of the season. BTW, he had a no-hitter going into the eighth inning. In 1995 the Dodgers traded for Brett Butler. This would be his second stint with the team.
• Happy Birthday, Burleigh Grimes, William Marriott, Jim Peterson, Bob Kennedy, Paul Popovich, Don Crow & Yimi Garcia! 

Blog Kiosk: 8/11/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

Here is a fantastic 1956 Spring Training pic of 1955 World Series hero Sandy Amoros re-creating his series winning catch at Dodgertown in Vero Beach. As you can see, he is in front of the outfield berm at Holman Stadium - at centerfield. This photo recently sold at RMY Auctions at what I thought was a steal at $26.98.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1950 the Dodgers were no-ht by Vern Bickford of the Boston Braves, 7-0. He needed only 97 pitches to accomplish the feat. In 1951 the first color televised broadcast of a ballgame is aired on WCBS-TV. It featured a game at Ebbets Field between the Dodgers and the Boston Braves. Unfortunately, the Boys of Summer lose the contest, 8-1. In 1962 the Dodgers protest the Giants tactic of wetting down the basepaths in order to slow down speedster Maury Wills at Candlestick Park. The Dodgers would lose 5-4. Giants manager Alvin Dark would forever earn the nickname "The Swamp Fox." In 1969 Don Drysdale announced his retirement from the game. In 2015 every home team won their game -- making that a first in the live-ball era with a full slate of games.  
• Happy Birthday, Bobo Newsom, Luis Olmo, Dennis Lewallyn, Rex Hudson, Mike Huff & Bubba Crosby!

2019 Topps Total - Wave 9 - All the Dodger Cards

The last and final wave from Topps online exclusive set, 2019 Topps Total, is now out, and it includes three more Dodgers to collect -- Adam Kolarek, Matt Beaty and Walker Buehler. Go here for a complete checklist. Also, there is an autographed Walker Buehler card available in packs.

Base - Wave 9

#813 Adam Kolarek              #826 Matt Beaty

Blog Kiosk: 8/7/2019 - Dodgers Links - Nine More Wins!

Let's hear it for the old guys! Per Rowan Kavner at Dodger Insider:

“What he’s done for our entire group, namely the young catchers, just the entire group of ball players, his insight, his experience — and now you talk about when he does get an opportunity to play, just his toughness, his compete and obviously the at-bat quality…he’s got some big hits for us this year, none bigger than the one tonight,” Roberts said.

Old guy Russell Martin was a major catalyst for the Dodgers last night. After trailing for most of the night, he came up with two-on and doubled to give the Dodgers a lead that they would not relinquish. His hit started a rally that would score seven runs in the sixth inning, and would provide starting pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu with his third career playoff win.

Photo above via Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Insider. Go here to check out more pics from yesterdays game. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1936 the Dodgers fire their manager, Casey Stengel. He had a 208-251 record as Brooklyn's skipper over three season. In 1977, in Game 3 of the NLCS, the Dodgers score three runs in the top of the ninth inning to take a 6-5 lead over the Phillies. The Dodgers eventually win the series the next day to advance to the World Series. In 1978, in Game 4 of the NLCS, the Dodgers defeated the Phillies on a tenth-inning run scoring single by Bill Russell to win the NL pennant and earn the a right to face the Yankees in the World Series (boxscore). 
• Happy Birthday, Al Burch, Phil Lewis, Tony Malinosky, Phil Ortega, Rudy Law, Jim Bruske & Brickyard Kennedy!,

Blog Kiosk: 9/19/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Kenley's killing me! Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

“I didn’t have it today. I sucked,” Jansen said after backsliding from three solid outings by allowing a pair of runs in the ninth inning. “You can’t control the outcome. Yes, the command wasn’t what it was the last three games, but you just can’t let this one frustrate you.”

I'm frustrated (boxscore). Photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2019 at Dodger Insider. Go here to check out more pics from yesterdays game. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1956 starter Don Newcombe hit two home runs in a game for the third time in his career -- defeating the Cardinals, 17-2. In 2000 a Dodger fan pleaded no contest to one misdemeanor count of causing a disturbance at a sporting event, and has been banned from attending home games in Los Angeles for 18 months. The irate patron during a May 30th game threw coffee in the face of a Mets fan who was cheering a grand slam hit by New York's catcher Todd Pratt. In 2013 the Dodgers celebrated their NL West Division title in Arizona by climbing the Chase Field right-centerfield wall to party in their outdoor pool. Watch the event unfold here. In 2014 Clayton Kershaw won his 20th game of the season for the second time in his career. He is the first Dodger pitcher to win 20 game twice since Claude Osteen in 1969 and 1972.
• Happy Birthday, Sadie McMahon, Jack Ryan, Red Barkley, Duke Snider, Joe Ferguson, Scott Baker & Charlie Haeger!

Blog Kiosk: 9/18/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Corey Seager has had a subpar year -- not surprising considering his injuries last season and this. That said, there are signs that he might be returning to form. Last night he knocked in four runs on two doubles -- becoming only the sixth Dodger in franchise history to record two 40+ doubles seasons. Per Cary Osborne at Dodger Insider:

“It’s been good in the sense that he was able to participate and play and compete,” manager Dave Roberts said of Seager’s season. “There was that (hamstring) injury (in June) that he was frustrated in, but now to be back and get consistent playing time, the rhythm and feel is there at the plate. He adds so much length to our lineup, and to play a premium position defensively and be an impact bat obviously makes us considerably better.”

Photo above via Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers 2019 at Dodger Insider. Go here to check out more pics from yesterdays game. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 2006 the Dodgers came back from a four run deficit by slugging four consecutive home runs in the ninth inning -- by Jeff Kent, JD Drew, Russell Martin and Marlon Anderson -- to tie the game against the Padres at 9-9. They would then win the game in the tenth inning when Nomar Garciaparra hit a two-run homer, 11-10. You can watch highlights of all five round-trippers here.
• Happy Birthday, Joe Tepsic, Dick Dietz, David Sells & Ken Brett!

Blog Kiosk: 8/2/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Will Smith! Per Rowan Kavner at Dodger Insider:

“Everyone wants to be in that situation,” Smith said. “I’ve been in that quite a bit lately, and I’ve made the most of it. I’ve got confidence in that situation. It’s encouraging. You know you can do it. You’ve been there before.”
...
“I’m cautious to make this comparison,” Roberts prefaced with a grin, “but (Yasiel) Puig was like this when he came up. That’s the only time I’ll compare Will Smith and Yasiel Puig, but yeah, he’s coming up and that excitement — when he comes up, guys want to watch him.”

Smith hit a game deciding grand slam in the sixth inning to lead the Dodgers towards an 8-2 (boxscore) victory over the Padres.

Photo above via Juan Ocampo/2019 LA Dodgers at Dodger Insider. Go here to check out more pics from yesterdays game. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1938 Dodgers President Larry MacPhail introduced the yellow baseball. It was used during the first game of a doubleheader at Ebbets Field against the Cardinals. The Dodgers won that game, 6-2. The yellow baseball would only be used three more times this season. In 1982 the United States Postal Service unveiled a new 20-cent stamp commemorating Jackie Robinson at a ceremony in Cooperstown, NY. Robinson becomes the first ballplayer to be depicted on the US postage stamp. Check it out on the right.
• Happy Birthday, Bill Hill, Jim Holmes, Bill Posedel, Mike Venafro, Matt Guerrier & Onelki García!

Welcome to the Blue, Adam Kolarek!

We got a new reliever!

Unfortunately, he's not named Shane Greene (he went to Atlanta), Edwin Diaz, Will Smith or Felipe Vazquez. Instead, the Dodgers grabbed lefty bullpen arm Adam Kolarek from the Tampa Bay Rays. Per a Dodgers press release:

The Los Angeles Dodgers announced that they have acquired left-handed pitcher Adam Kolarek from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for minor league outfielder Niko Hulsizer.