Blog Kiosk: 11/27/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

I would like to extend a hearty Blue Heaven congratulations to Dodgers hurler Alex Wood. Over the weekend he tied the knot in what looks like a gala affair. Check out what I mean in the photo above that was shared by Alex on Instagram.

On a side note, this recent marriage adds to my desire that the club should briefly rename the club the "Bridegrooms" for one game next year - just to celebrate not only the Dodgers past, but also the individual futures of our players.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1953 Roy Campanella is the named the National League MVP for the second time in his career. He slashed .312/.395/.611/1.006 with 41 homer runs, a league leading 142 RBI's and recorded 7.1 WAR. In 1956 Don Newcombe was awarded the inaugural Cy Young Award, going 27-7 with a 3.06 ERA. A week prior he was given both the MVP and Rookiw of the Year Awards; thereby becoming the first and only player to win all three major awards for a pitcher in one season.
• Happy Birthday, Jimmy Schmitz, Mike Scioscia & Jimmy Rollins!

Blog Kiosk: 11/13/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Weekend Odds and Ends

Dodgers alumnus Ron Cey, Manny Mota, Billy Ashley and Dennis Powell came out to Dodger Stadium on Saturday to help train 300 active duty service members and veterans in honor of Veterans Day for an afternoon of batting practice. Per Ron Cervenka at Think Blue LA:

“To watch these families come in, we have over 300 families, they’re veterans and active military,” explains Dodgers vice president of external affairs and community relations Naomi Rodriguez. “But it’s not just the actual veteran or the military, it’s their mother, and their father, and their daughter, and their grandparents. Those are the people also that are supporting our military that serve our country. 

“So when I see them walk into the stadium, there’s this …  it’s like amazing feeling in their eyes. Kids are walking into Dodger Stadium, this beautiful stadium, on the field. How many people get to walk on the field and then enjoy it the way our players enjoy it? So that, for me, is just a great way to say ‘thank you’ to them, to honor their service, and I know they look forward to coming every year.”

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

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1974 Steve Garvey was named the National League MVP; receiving 13 of 22 first-place votes. Lou Brock was the runner-up. In 2003 Eric Gagne becomes the ninth reliever to be named a Cy Young winner. He recorded 55 consecutive saves this season.
• Happy Birthday, Andrew Friedman, Moose Clabaugh, Alex Kampouris, Steve Lembo, Steve Bilko, Wes Parker, Tony Abreu & Carlos Frias!

Blog Kiosk: 3/31/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Spring Odds and Ends

Early in spring Clayton Kershaw and family hosted ballplayers from several other teams in Arizona to Spring Training PingPong4Purpose charity event, and was kind enough to share some pics at the Kershaw's Challenge website (link here).

A little over 150 people attended the event, making donations at the door to KC. 50% of the proceeds were to be donated to Kershaw’s Challenge (handicap building project) and the other 50% would be donated to the winner’s choice charity. We were blown away with what the event raised. Just over $14,000 was donated the night-of! Incredible. Clayton and his partner Scott ended up pulling out the big win in the end…as well as Dodger bragging rights until next year’s event.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1948 the Dodgers played their very first exhibition game at Dodgertown in Vero Beach, Florida. They played against their top farm team, the Montreal Royals, and defeated them 5-4.  Jackie Robinson hit a first inning home run.  Per HistoricDodgertown.com:

Florida Governor Millard Caldwell threw the ceremonial first pitch at so-called “Ebbets Field No. 2.” A sign reading “You Are Now Entering Dodgertown” welcomed a strong showing of some 6,000 fans, paying $1.25 in the grandstands and bolstered the idea of more games being played on base in the future. Baseball Commissioner Happy Chandler, who had suspended Manager Durocher one year earlier, shook hands with “The Lip” and wished him good luck. Vero Mayor Merrill P. Barber looked on and a contingent of the Brooklyn National Guard, who had traveled to Florida to watch the Dodgers, was introduced and went home with a “load of oranges presented to them by the Vero Beach Jaycees.”

• Happy Birthday, Bill Hallman, Gene Snyder & Balvino Galvez!
  

Blog KIosk: 1/19/2016 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Campanella and his kids.

Check out this fantastic March 12, 1951 vintage press photo taken by legendary photographer Herb Scharfman for International News.  It features Roy Campanella with his two young sons while on the field in Miami during Spring Training.  Via the descriptor on the reverse:

If the boys turn out to be chips off the old block, the Dodgers will be all set in the catching department if, and when, catcher Roy Campanella hangs up his mask and gloves.  Here is Campanella with his sons, David 7, and Roy Jr. 2, as he put them through their paces at Miami Stadium.  The Dodgers won their first game yesterday in the grapefruit League by shading the Boston Braves, 10-9 in an error-spangled game.

The photo above was available on auction at RMY and recent closed at $144.17.  Check out the auction listing here.  Below are more links to check out:

• Dodgers vice president Alex Anthopoulos spoke a bit about scouting to Bob Nightengale at USA Today:

“The best moves we made were the ones we didn’t make because of the information we got from our scouts,’’ Anthopoulos said. “Sure, you look at the analytic side, but you’re talking about the human side, too. We looked at plenty of guys who could help us, but our scouts would give us information, letting us know that they wouldn’t fit into this group or dynamic that we had here.

“This game is so competitive, you need to get every ounce of information you can to try to separate yourself, and our scouts played such a big part in our success.’’

• Dustin Nosler at Dodgers Digest shares his list of, "2016 Dodgers Top 100 Prospects: No. 100-76."
• Via Harold Uhlman at Think Blue LA, "Vin DiFazio – For the love of the game … and more."

It was reported late Sunday evening that the Dodgers had signed catcher Vin DiFazio to a minor league contract. The 29-year-old Hampton, New Jersey native played the past two seasons with the St. Paul Saints of the the Independent League American Association. 

• Via David Hood at True Blue LA, "Dodgers top prospects 2016: No. 9, Frankie Montas."

Despite poor fastball command, Montas shows more feel for his breaking pitch, which has the shape of a hard slider or knuckle curve. The slider is a true swing and miss pitch that is effective both in the zone and as a chase pitch. The pitch has a velocity separation more akin to a curveball off the fastball, adding further deception to the pitch. He can take something off the pitch early for strikes, or ramp it up to sharpen the brake for strikeouts.

• Via Jeff Todd at MLB Trade Rumors, the Dodgers have signed outfielder Corey Brown to a minor league deal.

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Blog Kiosk: 1/13/2016 - Dodger Links - Some Odds and Ends

Yasiel Puig made appearance at last nights Lakers game at the Staples Center and had an opportunity to greet Kobe Bryant before the game, via a pic on the right above by @Dodgers on twitter.  Coming along with him was future Dodger starter Julio Urias.  Check out the photo of two on the above right, via Beto Duran on twitter.  No doubt the pair were good luck charms for the struggling hometown basketball team.  They beat New Orleans 95-91. 

Below are more links to check out:

• RIP, Monte Irvin.  He was 96-years old.  Per Samantha Burkett at the HOF:

“Monte Irvin’s affable demeanor, strong constitution and coolness under pressure helped guide baseball through desegregation and set a standard for American culture,” said Jeff Idelson, President of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. “His abilities on the field as the consummate teammate are undeniable, as evidenced by World Series titles he contributed to in both the Negro and Major leagues, and a richly-deserved plaque in Cooperstown. He was on the original committee that elected Negro Leagues stars to the Hall of Fame, something for which the Museum will always be grateful.”

• Via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider, "Alex Anthopoulos takes long view of Dodger tenure."

“My mindset was not on going somewhere short term,” he went on. “I don’t want to jump around. I’m not someone who does that. I commit to somewhere, and I give everything I have and I’m immersed in whatever I do. I think that was reflected with me sitting down with my wife and my family and me deciding to make California home, and to really, really commit to the community, commit to the organization. If things come up down the road, I’ll evaluate them as they come, but my focus is not on any other jobs. I would be thrilled if this is where I spent the next 20 years.”

• Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Kenley Jansen, Justin Turner among 6 Dodgers to file for salary arbitration."

Joining the duo in filing for arbitration are catcher Yasmani Grandal, outfielder Scott Van Slyke, and relief pitchers Chris Hatcher and Luis Avilan, with that quartet going through the arbitration process for the first time. 

• The Blowout Buzz blog has preview pics from the 2016 Allen & Ginter set; including the Corey Seager autographed card on the right.  Check out more pics here.  This set is expected to hit stores in July 2016.
• Per Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider, "Youth in rotation: A bevy of Dodger starting pitchers under 30."

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Welcome to the Blue, Alex Anthopoulos!

The Dodgers are not only signing all the prospects.  They are also signing all the front office executives.

Officially announced today, the Dodgers have hired former Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos.  He's the fellow who recently built Toronto into Baseball juggernaut.  BTW, he is the seventh Dodgers front office executive to have been or currently are an GM.

I hope we don't run into a situation where there are too many cooks in the kitchen.

Per a Dodger press release:

The Los Angeles Dodgers today announced the hiring of Alex Anthopoulos as Vice President, Baseball Operations.

“We are thrilled to be bringing Alex on board,” said Dodger President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman. “Farhan [Zaidi], Josh [Byrnes], and myself all have longstanding relationships with him and believe his experience and perspective will be a tremendous asset to our organization.”

Anthopoulos, 38, will assist in all aspects of Baseball Operations.

Anthopoulos spent the past six seasons as the Blue Jays’ General Manager, culminating with a selection as Sporting News’ MLB Executive of the Year in 2015, when his trade-deadline acquisitions helped spur the Blue Jays to an AL East title and their first postseason appearance in 22 years.

Anthopoulos joined Toronto following the 2003 season as a scouting coordinator and earned a promotion to Vice President, Baseball Operations & Assistant General Manager in 2006 before taking over as GM on Oct. 3, 2009. He began his baseball career with the Expos as a media relations intern in 2000 before transitioning to scouting for the club for the next three seasons.

In celebration of his arrival to the Dodgers I made the above fantasy card for him.  I used a photograph grabbed from the Star.com (Richard Lautens/Toronto Star) and the 1986 Topps Baseball card design.

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Blog Kiosk: 1/6/2016 - Dodgers Links - Honeycutt, a Singing Kershaw and Maeda Issues

RMY has their newest vintage sports photograph auction up and it includes the above 1930 ACME press photo from Opening Day at Ebbets Field.  On this Tuesday afternoon we see the teams (the Robins/Dodgers in the foreground and Phillies in the background) lined up on the field just after the raising of the nations flag.

It's fantastic to see the stadium dressed up for the occasion.  It's even better seeing the boys from Brooklyn all wearing their team jackets.  Best yet, we get a full view of their fantastic socks.  The color sequence for them go from blue to red to blue.  I so wish this photo was in color in order to see them in all their glory.

Below are more links to check out:

• Kershaw can't sing.  Via Kelsey at AL.com, "Watch Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw sing Alabama fight song in children's hospital challenge."

When Nick Saban and several Alabama football players were challenged to sing "A Whole New World" at a Dallas children's hospital, they gave quite the performance.

They followed up their karaoke session by challenging the next celebrity visitor – Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw – to sing Alabama's fight song.

• Via Cary Osborne at Dodger Insider, "The steady voice of Rick Honeycutt."

‘“He does such a great job,” said three-time Cy Young award winner Clayton Kershaw. “I feel pretty fortunate that I’ve had him for as long as I’ve had him. We’ve been working together so long. I kind of feel like he understands what helps me and what doesn’t help me. He’s able to communicate that, which is really tough to find.”

Honeycutt is often credited for the impact he has made on the Dodger pitching staff. His studiousness, ability to filter information and communicate and his desire to tackle challenges are all part of what have made him and those around him successful. They’re all characteristics that go back to his playing days.

• Have I mentioned that David Hood's prospect reports are excellent?  If I haven't, I apologize for the oversight.  He does great work and provides the exact kind of stuff I'm interested in reading when it comes to prospects.  Check out his newest report on Willie Calhoun here. 

If you’ve read this far, you can probably tell that offense is Calhoun’s calling card. The power was expected after the draft, but what surprised was Calhoun’s advanced approach at the plate and feel for hitting. Calhoun has a loose, easy swing with exceptional feel for contact. He has employed two timing mechanisms seen on film, one a toe tap and the other a leg lift, and may vary between the two depending on situation, count, etc.

• Via Minor Leaguer at Bluebird Banter, "Alex Anthopoulos reportedly joins Los Angeles Dodgers' front office."  He was the GM for the Blue Jays.

In numerous interviews, Anthopoulos had mentioned his love for scouting and personally evaluating players. His first job with the Blue Jays was as scouting director.

• Via Nicolas Stellini at Beyond the Boxscore, "Kenta Maeda's reported Dodgers contract is very strange."
• And this wouldn't be an Dodgers winter if there wasn't some concern with Maeda's health.   Via Jerry Crasnick on twitter:

Source says #Dodgers-Kenta Maeda deal is taking a while because of concerns over his elbow. Expected to be official in next day or 2.

— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) January 6, 2016

• On Maeda, per an ESPN report:

The sides agreed to a deal before the new year, but a source told Crasnick that concerns arose over he pitcher's elbow during a physical. A source told ESPN's Jim Bowden that the Dodgers also see an issue with Maeda's shoulder and that a ligament in his elbow is indeed compromised. However, the 27-year-old has been pitching with both issues.

According to a source, the Dodgers know that Maeda will require surgery at some point but feel that signing him is still worth it if they can get three or four useful years out of him.

• Panini released even more preview pics from their upcoming 2015 National Treasures Baseball set.  Check them out here.  Below are pics of an Tommy Lasorda and Corey Seager card.  This set officially comes out on Friday.

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *