Blog Kiosk: 5/18/2016 - Dodgers Links - Kershaw, Maeda's Bobble and the Time Warner/Charter Merger is Done

Kenta Maeda finally got a look at the promotional bobblehead the Dodgers are giving out on Tuesday, July 26th against the Tampa Bay Rays.  As you can see, in the photo tweeted out by the Dodgers, he definitely got a kick out of it.  On the right is a better look at the bobble, via another tweet by the Dodgers.

BTW, Clayton Kershaw was fantastic once again last night.  For the sixth straight game, resetting the MLB record, he recorded double-digit strike outs and had one or less walks.  Overall, he went eight innings, allowed four hits, struck out eleven and walked none to record his sixth win of the season.  Via Ken Gurnick and Fabian Ardaya at MLB.com:

"When you see [Mike] Trout walking up to the batter's box and he looks at me and shakes his head like, 'I'm going to take my medicine,' that respect is earned," said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. "There's that novelty, that respect that Clayton has from other players, so when you get in there, you're almost defeated."

On another note, the Dodgers youngsters continue to wreck the ball.  For the third straight game one of the kids hit a couple long balls in the game.  On Sunday, Corey Seager hit two homers.  On Monday, Trayce Thompson hammered two of his own.  Then last night, Joc Pederson pocketed a couple while Seager hit another. 

Go here to check out a bunch of great pics from yesterdays game from Jon SooHoo.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1931 Dodgers outfielder Babe Herman would hit for the cycle for the first time. He would do it against Cincinnati, and accomplish this feat three times in his career.
• Happy Birthday, Eric Young!

Blog Kiosk: 5/16/2016 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

This guy showed up at Dodger Stadium on both Saturday and Sunday to the delight of players and fans alike.  We first noticed him when Ziggy Marley shared a pic of him signing this fans uniform (link here) on Saturday.  Then, he appeared again on Sunday (link here) with a whole new set of drawings on his face.

Photo at the top via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2016.  Go here to check out more pics by Jon from yesterdays game here.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: On this day in 1970 a fourteen year old fan named Alan Fish was struck by a Baseball at Dodger Stadium and die four days later.  This marked the first fatality of a fan from a batted ball in a Major League game, and it happened off the bat of Manny Mota.  Tom Hoffarth provides more detail about the incident here.  In 2000 was the infamous fight at Wrigley Field that started when Dodgers catcher Chad Kreuter was hit in the back of the head and had his hat stolen by a unruly fan.  Several players and coached jumped into the stands during the melee.
• Happy Birthday, Rube Walker!

Blog Kiosk: 5/12/2016 - Dodgers Links - Magic, Ryu and Kenta Maeda

It was a hard luck night for Kenta Maeda.  He pitched well, and if not for the extraordinary exploits of the Noah Syndergaard at the plate Maeda and the Dodgers would likely have walked away with a win.  Via Anthony DiComo and Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"The nine-hitter hit two home runs and drove in four runs. You don't see that every day," said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts.

No kidding.  The pitcher, who had hit a home run last season, recorded his first two hits of the season, and they both left the yard against the Dodgers.  Go figure!

Kenta had this to say:

"They were definitely not good pitches, the ones that he hit for home runs," said Maeda. "It ended up being a regrettable result contributing to a total of four runs."

Dave Roberts added, via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider:

“He was using his breaking ball a lot tonight and just didn’t have that sharpness to it, working behind hitters,” Dave Roberts said. “Didn’t have the fastball command. The homer to Syndergaard, the first one, was a misfire, and the other one was a backdoor breaking ball located down and away, and he’s a strong kid.

As has been said many times, this is the kind of game you just have to move on from.  They beat us fair and square, and all you can do is tip your hat.  Photo above via @Dodgers on twitter.  Go here to check out a bunch of pics from the game by Jon SooHoo.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1956 Carl Erskine threw his second career no-hitter against the Giants at Ebbets Field.  In 2004 Alex Cora had his famous 18 pitch at-bat (including 14 consecutive fouls balls) at Dodger Stadium against Matt Clement of the Cubs that culminated in an unbelievable two-run home run.  You can watch this at-bat here.
• Happy Birthday, Adam Liberatore!

Blog Kiosk: 5/7/2016 - Dodgers Links - Maeda, Puig and Russell on Clayton Kershaw

Yasiel Puig has been having an amazing adventure this season, and I don't mean his exploits on the field.  Rather, he's taken every opportunity to soak in the sights and sounds of every city he's visited this season. Thankfully, social media has allowed him to shared every minute.

Before the start of yesterdays game, Puig visited Toronto's CN Tower and headed to the top.  He found himself 1,168' above the ground, strapped himself to some wires and cords and walked around the perimeter of the landmark.  Check out a group of photos at the very top, via his Instagram.

I don't know about you, but I would do this in a heartbeat.  That looks like a bunch of fun.

Then later that night, Yasiel made a perfect throw on a lined double along the right field line to get Darwin Barney at second base.  Go here to check it out.  Puig, quite literally, threw a strike to shortstop Corey Seager.  As for the rest of the evening, things did not go as well.  Sure, Maeda was fantastic, once again.  Unfortunately, a lackluster offense and an even worse bullpen gave it away.  The Dodgers lost the first game of the series against the Blue Jays 5-2.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1959, the Roy Campanella benefit game is played at the Coliseum in front of 93,103 fans.  In 2009, Dodgers outfielder Manny Ramirez is suspended 50-games for a PED violation.
• Happy Birthday, James Loney!

Blog Kiosk: 5/3/2016 - Dodgers Links - Ebbets Field, Maeda and Josh Ravin's Suspension

Wow!  There's nuthin' 'round the ol' joint.

Shown above, via a tweet by Old Baseball Photos, is Ebbets Field just prior to its opening in 1913.  You can see the grandstands and the backside of the outfield walls, but nothing else (except a few buildings here and there).  I always assumed Brooklyn was built out the way it is today, but clearly that is wrong.  The immediate area was as barren as a bald head.

A little bit of research tells me that Pigtown, the neighborhood this area was called due to the existence of several large pig farms, was economically depressed.  It's inhabitants were largely poor and crime was known to be a problem.  Folks would come into town to dump their junk there and farm animals were known to roam around recklessly.  The metropolis it is today was just a dream back then.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1947 the Branch Rickey traded five Dodgers players; including Kirby Higby, to Pittsburgh.  The move was seen as a message to the players on his support for Jackie Robinson.
• Happy Birthday, Davey Lopes and Darren Dreifort!

Blog Kiosk: 4/27/2016 - Dodgers Links - Piazza, Oaks and the Kings Came for a Visit

With the Kings now out of the playoffs (boo!) several of them made their way to Dodger Stadium yesterday afternoon for some batting practice.  Photo above via @Dodgers on twitter: from L to R: Luke Schenn, Tyler Toffoli, Milan Lucic, Matt Greene, Andy Andreoff, Jhonas Enroth and Brayden McNabb.

As for the game last night, it was both  a gem and a stinker.  Clayton Kershaw was his usual self through the first five innings - giving up only one hit and striking out eight Marlins batters.  Then the sixth came around and everything fell apart.  Five consecutive hits, climaxing with an three-run bomb by Giancarlo Stanton, scored five runs, and spelled an end to the ace's unbeaten record this season.  The Dodgers lost the game 6-3.  Via Joe Frisaro and Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"That's a tough one to let get away," said Kershaw. "We had a 3-0 lead. My job is to keep it, and I didn't do my job there. Got to do a better job limiting the damage. I obviously missed my spot with Stanton, and that's what he does, makes you pay for stuff like that. And I gave up some two-strike hits. Everything you're not supposed to do, I kind of did that inning."

Below are more links to check out:

• This day in Dodger History:  In 2004, as a Met, Mike Piazza would tie the all-time mark for career home runs by a catcher at 351 at Dodger Stadium. It was hit against Hideo Nomo.
• Happy Birthday, Corey Seager!

Blog Kiosk: 4/25/2016 - Dodgers Links - Puig, Scully and Don Mattingley's Return

No doubt Yasiel Puig is having fun again after a tumultuous season last year.  After Saturdays victory against the Rockies he somehow found himself standing among a throng of teens in formal wear.  It is prom season in America and Puig, obviously curios about the occasion, joined the revelry had by the student of ChatfieldHigh School of Littleton, Colorado.  He had the crashed the party and fortunately shared a couple pics on twitter for us to enjoy.

Featured above some of the kids with Puig in the middle (twitter link here).  Below, he poses with members of the high school Baseball team (twitter link here).

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  On this day in 1976 Rick Monday saved the American flag from a couple of protesters in the outfield at Dodger Stadium.  The incident was immortalized in the photo seen on the right.
• Happy Birthday, JP Howell!
• Via Jacob Unruh at News OK, "OKC Dodgers: Herges talks talented pitching staff."

Blog Kiosk: 4/21/2016 - Dodgers Links - Maeda and Chase Utley

The old man can still play.

At 37 years of age, Chase Utley is proving that this dog still has some jump in his step.  He sparked a Dodger team by making key plays on the field and scoring the go ahead run in the 10th inning after singling and stealing second base to put him in scoring position.  Per Jon Cooper at MLB.com:

"George made us all aware that [Grilli] can be slow at times," Utley said. "That first pitch, he was pretty slow to the plate, and we took advantage of it."

Utley not only swiped the base, but he changed the tone of the inning. The former Braves closer walked the ensuing hitter, Corey Seager, on four pitches, and then he give up an RBI double to Justin Turner.

"It was huge," said Roberts, a prolific basestealer during his career. "Now Grilli's got to pitch Corey Seager really carefully, and then J.T. gets the double, and we just kept the line moving. So that stolen base changed the inning completely."

And the catalyst for all that was the man expected to play a backup role this year.  Instead, Utley has slashed .306/.370/.408/.779, and forced himself onto the everyday lineup.  Pic above via SportsNet LA on twitter.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  On this day in in 1967 the Dodgers experienced their very first rain out at Dodger Stadium against the Cardinals.  It snapped an 737 games streak of consecutive games at home.
• Happy Birthday to Joc Pederson and Jesse Orosco!

Blog Kiosk: 12/11/2015 - Dodger Links - Jarrin's Birthday, King's Rant and Puig's Troubles

Happy belated 80th birthday to Dodger legend Jaime Jarrin.  The Dodgers celebrated this occasion yesterday.  Photo above via @DodgerInsider on twitter.

"It's only one year, but phonetically, 79 is very different from 80." - @JaimeJarrin pic.twitter.com/B2H1EWxSXL

— Dodger Insider (@DodgerInsider) December 10, 2015

Below are more links to check out:

• Via Scott Miller at the Bleacher Report, "Is There Anybody Left in Los Angeles Whom Yasiel Puig Hasn't Alienated?"

"He is the worst person I've ever seen in this game," one ex-Dodger who believes Puig is beyond redemption said flatly. "Ever."

It is the question that persists, and is asked with more and more frequency as the hurricane that is Puig wreaks ever more damage: Can the frayed relationships between Puig and his teammates be salvaged in Los Angeles?

"I think they definitely can," Dodgers catcher A.J. Ellis told Bleacher Report this week in another telephone conversation. "I think there has to be give-and-take on both sides.

• Awesome!  Via a tweet from Josh Ravin:

Just signed my 1st Topps Rookie Card. Pretty unbelievable feeling holding that card in my hand....... #Blassed #Smile

— Josh Ravin™ (@FreshSqueezed22) December 10, 2015

• Via Barry Lewis at Tulsa World, "Pro baseball: Four Dodgers selections in Rule 5 draft likely headed to Drillers."
• Larry King rants to Bob Nightengale about the Dodgers at USA Today; "MLB's hot stove season ramps up rivalries, freaks out fans."

“I can’t stand what we’re doing,” King told USA TODAY Sports. “Those people in the Dodger front office, they think they’re still in Tampa. This is Los Angeles. We’re in the second-largest market in the country. We lead baseball in home and road attendance. And we haven’t won a World Series since 1988.

“We are not Tampa, but they’re acting like it. They have all of this money — and nothing. We’ve got to do something.”

• A great read about a former ballplayer.  Via Pedro Moura at the OC Register, "Former pitcher Floyd Youmans comes to grips with life outside baseball."

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Blog Kiosk: 10/19/2015 - Dodger Links - Scavuzzo, Greinke and Don Mattingly

Congratulations to Dodger prospect Jacob Scavuzzo for winning the NL title and the overall championship in the AFL Bowman Hitting Challenge in Arizona.  Via Spencer Fordin at MLB.com, "Dodgers' Scavuzzo wins Fall League Hitting Challenge."

"It's a good experience," he said of the AFL. "You get a chance to see the game's best prospects. I'm not really that tired. A lot of guys are complaining about it being a long season, but it's not my first full season. I think I've prepared my body to play well into September or October. I feel great."

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

• Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Dodgers 2015 offseason roster breakdown."
• To the surprise of no one, Zack Greinke will opt out of his contract to seek a richer deal.  Via Jon Heyman at CBS Sports.
• I am not at all surprised that several players have gotten behind their manager.  Via Zach Helfand at the LA Times, "With Don Mattingly's fate uncertain, Dodgers players offer support."

“I’m glad I play for Don,” third baseman Justin Turner said. “I would play for Donnie any day of the week. Anything he wanted me to do, anything he asked of me, I’m right there, I’m behind him 100%. I think he’s an unbelievable manager, did an unbelievable job handling everything that goes on both on and off the field with this club, and he’s got my support 100%.”
...
“All three years I’ve been here so far, it’s a different type of job here,” (JP) Howell said. “The expectations are World Series or fail, and that’s throughout the whole season, so he’s done a great job of when it’s not going so well, he’s always cool to be around. He’s never been terrible, even when he’s looking like he might be in trouble in 2013, he was great. He was great to be around. We were in Milwaukee at the time, and he handled that cool as a cucumber, so that’s all we could ask.”
...

“We didn't lose because of Donnie, like everybody says,” (Enrique) Hernandez said. “We lost because we couldn't score runs. Donnie has nothing to do with this. There's no reason Donnie has to be fired.”

• Former Dodger Ryan Theriot is a troll, via his tweet:

So I missed the game last night..how'd the 314 million dollar payroll work out for the Dodgers? #moneyballdoesntwork

— ryan theriot (@rtheriot7) October 16, 2015

• The oldest living Dodger, Mike Sandlock, turned 100 on Saturday.  Mark Langill at Dodger Insider wrote a nice piece about him, here.  Check out a great story written about Sandlock a couple of weeks ago, via Dom Amore at the Hartford Courant, here.

"In '45, I had a good year," Sandlock said. "But the next season, what's his name? The shortstop, [Pee Wee] Reese came back. I had to take the No. 1 off and give it back to him, and I wore No. 4. Reese was a hell of a nice guy, but anyway, in '46 they sent me to Montreal [in the International League]. That's when Jackie Robinson was being brought in. In spring training, Rickey asked me if I would play pepper with Jackie Robinson, that's when you could play pepper [a brisk batting and fielding exercise that has long disappeared from baseball]."

• ICYMI: head athletic trainer Stan Conte has resigned.  Who knows if this will result in better injury assessments and fewer trips to the DL.  I do know that the spate of hamstring issues over the past few years has been frustrating.  Via a Dodger press release:

“I want to thank the Dodger organization and specifically each and every one of the dedicated medical staff for their support these last nine seasons in Los Angeles,” Conte said in a club release. “My resignation will allow me to focus on my research in baseball injury analytics as I remain committed to determining the causes and effects of various baseball injuries.”

On another note, I wonder is this is just the first shoe to drop.  Who else, if any, from the big club will be asked to go?

• With the season now over for the Dodgers the Chase Utley suspension appeal has been postponed, via an AP report on ESPN.

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Today is the Dodgers Birthday of Sorts

For Los Angeles Dodger fans today is a significant day.  It marks the 58th anniversary of Dodgers official announcement that they would be moving the franchise from Brooklyn to Los Angeles.  And with that tears, screams and anger could be felt throughout the New York borough.

Of course, the announcement was of no surprise to many since earlier that year, May 28, 1957, the other Major League clubs had already unanimously voted to allow both the Giants and Dodgers to move out west.  So, it was just a formality that the team would be playing the following season in Los Angeles.  Still, it provided a finality to the contentious situation.  All the protest and rally's begging for O'Malley to "Keep the Dodgers in Brooklyn" had been for naught. 

I can imagine, though, that most Angelenos were ecstatic about having a Major League club as storied as the Dodgers suddenly becoming their hometown team.  Heck, if you can forgive my lack of empathy, I imagine many west coast fans had something like this running through their mind (watch the video below).

Video Link:

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Blog Kiosk: 10/27/2014 - Dodger Links - Logan White is Leaving Dodgers

Stay tuned.  Puig recently announced on his instagram that newly created Puig signature caps will be soon available on his website.  His website is here.

Below are some links to check out:

• RIP, Oscar Tavares.  Via Charlie Wilmoth at MLB Trade Rumors, "Oscar Taveras Dies In Car Accident" in the Dominican Republic.  Tarvares was a top prospect within the Cardinals organization.
• Via Mike Petriello at Dodgers Digest, "Can The Dodgers Even Sell Low On Andre Ethier?"

One way or another, a Dodger outfielder is moving. Maybe it’s Van Slyke, though that wouldn’t really free up much room. Maybe it’s Puig in some kind of massive deal, though that seems unlikely. Kemp’s second-half surge probably keeps him in the heart of the lineup. Carl Crawford could go, though he’s only mildly more valuable than Ethier is. Most likely, Ethier is going in a deal that sees the Dodgers A) eat 90% of his contract B) take on someone else’s problem or C) both.

• No!  Via Jon Heyman of CBS Sports on twitter, Scouting Director Logan White is leaving the Dodgers.

Logan White, well-respected dodgers scouting director who picked Kershaw, Kemp and the others, is taking job with Padres.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) October 27, 2014

• Old friend alert!  Former Dodger infielder Justin Sellers is now a Pirate, via @Pirates on twitter.
• Dodger pitching prospect Danny Coulombe recently celebrated an Avengers birthday, via his twitter.  Happy Birthday, Danny!

Thank you to my beautiful wife (of one week), Lauren Coulombe, for the Avengers birthday breakfast! pic.twitter.com/KomHeh1LVG
— Danny Coulombe (@DPCoulombe) October 26, 2014

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Celebrating Orel Hershiser's Birthday with his Ten Best Cards

This post is something that I rarely do, but for this man... this great Dodger... I just couldn't help myself.

Today is Orel Hershiser's 56th Birthday, and I figured the best way to celebrate it would be to share my list of his Ten Best Baseball Cards.  Fortunately, there are plenty to choose from, and they run the gamut from the stupendous to the hilarious.  So, check them out below.

If I happen to neglect a card that you believe is worthy please let me know.  BTW, I did not include any cards with him in anything but Dodger Blue, so you shouldn't expect to see him in another team's uniform on this list.  Also, I refuse to accept that he ever played for that team up north.  Now, on to the list:

#10
I figured I would start this list with a World Series highlight set released by Fleer in 1989.  There are two different Hershiser cards in this insert set, and since I couldn't decide which one I like best I've included them both to start this list. 

Happy Birthday Burleigh Grimes - Vintage Photo of his Spit Ball Grip

Former Dodger and Hall of Famer Burleigh Grimes was born on this day in 1893 - 121-years ago.  He pitched for the Dodgers early in his career from 1918 to 1926; having recorded an 158-121 record, 3.46 ERA and 205 complete games for Uncle Robbie's "Daffiness Boys" in Brooklyn.  Overall, he had 270 wins and was indicted into the Hall of Fame in 1964.

Ol' Stubblebeard, as he was called, is noted for being one of the few players legally allowed to throw a spit ball.  When the pitch was banned in 1920 Grimes, who was 26-years old at the time, was one of only 17 ballplayers exempted from the ban and grandfathered in.  So, he used it to his hearts content and parlayed his skill at throwing the offending pitch into a Hall of Fame career.  By the time he retired in 1934, Burleigh Grimes was the very last spit ball pitcher in the Major Leagues.

In commemoration of his birthday check out this great vintage press photo that I found on eBay showing off his grip for throwing the spit ball, below.  As you can see, it is basically a two-seam fastball grip with a little bit of grease on the side.

(eBay Auction Link)

Below is the reverse of the photograph and includes a byline.

(eBay Auction Link)

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The Roger Craig 1961 Union Oil Dodger Family Booklet

Here is my third installment featuring the 1961 Union Oil Dodger Family Booklet set.  Go here to see my past post showcasing this set; including complete scans of both the Vin Scully/Jerry Doggett and Walter Alston booklets.

Roger Craig is a name that both young and old Dodger fans know well.  He managed the San Francisco Giants from 1985 to 1992; having coined the motto 'Humm Baby' as they won the NL West Division title in 1987 (Boo!).  Craig was also a born and bred Dodger (Yeah!).  He was signed as an amateur by the team in 1950, made his debut with Brooklyn in 1955 and would pitch 7 seasons in Blue.

In 1955, he started Game 5 of the World Series against the Yankees, and won.  He went 6 innings and gave up just 2 runs.  This victory allowed the Dodgers to take a 3 to 2 Series lead.

His forte on the mound was the split-fingered fastball; which he taught to ballplayers after his playing career was over.  He would go on to be a pitching coach for the Detroit Tigers, Houston Astros and San Diego Padres, before being the Giants skipper. 

1961 was his last season as a Dodger.  He would be taken in the MLB Expansion Draft by the New York Mets at the end of the season.  So, he was a part of the very first Mets team, and lost the first game in team history (11-4 against St. Louis).  Steve Treder at Baseball Analyst wrote a great biography about him that you can check out here.

Below are complete scans of every page from Roger Craig's 1961 Union Oil Dodger Family Booklet.  Click any pic to embiggen.

UPDATE:  I didn't even realize this until I saw a tweet from Night Owl Cards.  Today is Roger Craig's 84th birthday.  Happy Birthday, Roger!

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Happy Birthday, Sandy Koufax!

On this day in 1935 a Jewish child of imminent importance to Dodger history was born.  He was raised in Brooklyn's Borough Park, and would go on to be a part of 4 Dodgers World Championship teams.  As a reminder of his greatness, he gained entry into the Hall of Fame as its youngest ever member.

Sandy Koufax turns 78 today.  Happy Birthday, Sandy!

Beyond all of the accolades that he deserves, I thought this birthday message from Dodger outfielder Scott Van Slyke was the best... if not most hilarious.

Happy birthday to Sand the man, even though you repeatedly tried to talk to me about pitching#imnotwithrow
— ScottVanSlyke (@ScottVanSlick) December 30, 2013

Pic above via @Dodgers on twitter

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Blog Kiosk: 12/23/2013 - Dodgers Links - Chris Perez, Beckett and the Dodgers New Minor League Coaching Staffs

Happy Birthday, Hanley Ramirez!  In the above pic Hanley this caught by a surprise Birthday party thrown by his family.  Pic via Hanley's twitter.

• Apparently, we are about to sign another reliever- Chris Perez.  Via MLB Trade Rumors.
• Dustin Nosler at Feelin' Kinda Blue writes, "Zach Lee should be the Dodgers' No. 5 starter in 2014 if no Tanaka, Price".
• Mark Saxon at ESPN writes, "Checking in on the Dodgers' check list".
• Daniel Brim at Blog to the Score writes, "Josh Beckett and 2014 Expectations".  Daniel takes a look at Thoracic Outlet Syndrome and how it has affected other pitchers, post surgery.
• Via Evan Bladh at Think Blue LA, "Saying “Goodbye” To That Dump on the Bay".

Candlestick Park will receive a pounding from the wrecking ball after the 49ers play a final game there on Monday night, December 23rd. It marks the end of an era. And though baseball hasn’t been played in the place since 1999, I can’t help but remember that big old garbage dump of a ballpark that left such an indelible mark on us Dodger fans. 

• Sports Illustrated shares their list of the top 113 moments of 2013, and the Dodgers fill two of the spots.  They feature the Dodgers pool party as #44, and Puigmania as #26.
• Harold Uhlman at Think Blue LA writes about George “Shotgun” Shuba.
• Dodger Penguin shares his recent experience from the Dodgers Mall Tour with a Sweet Lou Johnson autographed baseball.
• Yeah... You should go here and watch the video.  Via Mike Oz at Big League Stew, "Phillie Phanatic stars in MLB spoof of viral video ‘What Does the Fox Say?’"
• The Dodgers recently announced the coaching staff for their minor league system, and it includes brand new managers throughout.  Here is the Dodgers press release, and below a listing of the complete staffs.

Triple-A Albuquerque:
Manager: Damon Berryhill
Pitching Coach: Glenn Dishman
Hitting Coach: Franklin Stubbs

Double-A Chattanooga:
Manager: Razor Shines
Pitching Coach: Scott Radinsky
Hitting Coach: Shawn Wooten

Single-A Rancho Cucamonga:
Manager: P.J. Forbes
Pitching Coach: Matt Herges
Hitting Coach: Mike Eylward

Single-A Great Lakes:
Manager: Bill Haselman
Pitching Coach: Bill Simas
Hitting Coach: Johnny Washington

Rookie-advanced Ogden:
Manager: Lee Tinsley
Pitching Coach: Greg Sabat
Hitting Coach: Leo Garcia

Rookie-level AZL Dodgers:
Manager: John Shoemaker
Pitching Coach: Hector Berrios
Hitting Coach: Henry Cruz

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Blog Kiosk: 12/7/2013 - Dodgers Links - Happy Birthday Yasiel! - Kemp to be Traded?

Happy Birthday, Yasiel!  He turns 23 today.  Pic via @Dodgers on twitter.

• Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Dodgers eyeing infielder, relievers at Winter Meetings".
• Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Jarret Martin is living the dream".  Eric examines his potential as he enters his first big league spring training.
• Chad Moriyama writes about, "Yimi Garcia, high-spin fastballs, and Trackman".
• Howard Cole at LA Weekly writes, "Why the Dodgers Should Pass on a Hanley Ramirez Contract Extension".
• Gordon Edes at ESPNBoston.com writes, "Matt Kemp's agent thinks trade could come".

"This is the first time we've experienced this," Stewart said. "This is the first time we've heard it this much, and the first time we really believe something could happen." 

• Brian Wilson can do it all.  He's also happy to be back with the Dodgers, via a tweet he posted yesterday.

Looking forward to playing right wing for the Kings. I mean power forward for the Lakers. 00ps I mean be a Dodger again...or do all three
— Brian Wilson (@BrianWilson38) December 6, 2013

• Rob Neyer at Baseball Nation wrties, "10 for the COOP".  He examines 10 folks who should be in the HOF, but don't appear to be receiving the recognition they deserve.  Several former Dodgers are on the list; including Al Campanis.

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In Honor of Mel Blanc!

UPDATE: "What a Moroon!"   I apologize, I'm a big idiot!  July 10th was the anniversary of Mel Blanc's Death.  I'll leave the body of the original post as it was. 

The voice of many Warner Brothers cartoon icons, Mel Blanc, would have been 105 today.  He was a giant hero to me, as well as many kids throughout the world.  After all, who else could convey the wackiness of Daffy Duck, and the grouchy nature of Yosemite Sam?

Do you know which character he is most famous for?

Mel Blanc was the man behind Bugs Bunny, and it is this lovable wild hare that causes me to write this post.  You see, Bugs Bunny was born a Brooklyn Dodger, and the man who made him who he is deserves a huge shout out. 

So, Happy Birthday Mel Blanc!

BTW, I thought I'd add a bit more information about our favorite rabbit.  As the story goes, Bugs Bunny was born underneath Ebbets Field in the middle of summer in 1940, which explains his unmistakable Brooklyn/ Flatbush accent.

Pic at the very top via Wikipedia Commons.

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Blog Kiosk: 6/14/2013 - Dodgers Links - Scully Will Tweet, a Bryan Stow Update and the College World Series

Be sure you don't miss this next week.  Vin Scully will be taking over the Dodgers tweet account this coming Wednesday, June 19th for their game against the Yankees in New York.  Dodgers twitter here.

• Don Newcombe is 87-years old today.  Happy Birthday, big guy!
• Via Lori Preuitt at NBC4, "Bryan Stow Out of Rehab, Home With Parents: Stow family says insurance company stopped paying for Bakersfield rehab, so they brought Bryan home to Santa Cruz County".

"At first look and during conversations, Bryan appears to be doing better, cognitively," the post read. "But to be with him as much as we are, we see what others don’t. The memory problems, the use of words that do not belong, the pain he is in and the stiffness in his body that prevents him from being able to do things on his own. Due to a huge cut in therapy coverage, Bryan has physically experienced a big setback."

• Via Chosun Ilbo : "Park Chan-ho Reflects on Three Decades of Baseball in Book ".  No word yet if there will be an English translation.
• Jason Stark at ESPN writes a bit about the unwritten rules of Baseball, in relation to the most recent brawl.
• Chad Moriyama has the rundown on the potential availability of Andre Ethier in a trade.  He also writes a bit about the Dodgers interest in Cuban Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez.
• The Japanese Baseball league has admitted to juicing their Baseballs this season, via Eleanor Warnock at the Wall Street Journal.
• Hey!  The College World Series begins on Saturday.  Check out Aaron Fitt's preview at Baseball America.  Unfortunately, my alma mater, Cal State Fullerton, barely missed the cut.  BTW, if you happen to be in Omaha an impressive cadre of former players will be signing autographs in the fan zone:

• Friday, June 14, Edgar Martinez, Q&A, 4:30 p.m. – 5 p.m.; autographs,
  5 p.m. – 6-p.m.
• Saturday, June 15, John Smoltz, 1 p.m. – 2 p.m . (At Beverly Plaza, 7820 Dodge, noon to 1 p.m.)
• Sunday, June 16, Ivan Rodriguez, noon – 1 p.m.
• Monday, June 17, Todd Walker, Q&A, 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.; autographs, 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.

 Get more information here.

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