Blog Kiosk: 2/5/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Here's a fantastic view of Dodger Stadium in the mist of being built, via RMY Auction (link here).

It is dated to 1958 and was taken by Delmar Watson -- a onetime child actor and news photographer.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 2009 the Dodgers announced that on May 16th Dodger Stadium will host a regular season game between Mexico City Diablos Rojos and the Monterrey Sultanes of Liga Mexicana de Beisbol (LMB) summer league. Unfortunately, the game was postponed due to a week-long closure of the Mexican League in April due to a swine flu outbreak. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't believe they ever rescheduled the game.
• Happy Birthday, Joe Hutcheson, John Gaddy, Cy Buker & Don Hoak!

Blog Kiosk: 3/21/2016 - Dodgers Links - Alvarez, Ryu and our 5th Starter

This past Saturday was the Dodgers family day picnic, and Jon SooHoo of the Dodgers was kind enough to share some pics.  Check out Magic Johnson entertaining Clayton Kershaw and his young daughter in the photo above.  Go here to see a few more photos.

Below are more links to check out:

• Another prospect top get excited about.  Via Josh Norris at Baseball America, "Dodgers’ Alvarez Dazzles On Back Fields."

Alvarez used a loose, whippy arm to generate lively fastballs that started out in the low-90s and eventually built to the mid-90s before touching 99 mph near his outing’s end. He coupled the pitch with a low-80s slider that garnered swings and misses as well.

“I think his stuff is pretty good,” said Dodgers catcher Garrett Hope, who was surprised to find out Alvarez was throwing in the upper-90s. “Ninety-nine coming out of your mouth, that kind of blows my mind. I had no idea.”

• Chan Ho Park recently visited with Hyun-Jin Ryu at Camleback Ranch.  Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Park: Ryu can inspire with successful return."

"Young players watched him and saw you can make the Major Leagues, but it's even more important now for young pitchers to see his recovery and see him come back and pitch well," said Park. "Many young pitchers in Korea are injured and stop playing and we never see how good they can be. And we don't have that many like Ryu.

"So we need to learn from Ryu and from the Dodgers and their system to save our young pitchers. That's my hope and dream. If I opened the door for pitchers to come over here and play, he can open the door for pitchers to recover from injury and return."

• Andre should be OK.  Via Doug Padilla at ESPN, "Hobbled Andre Ethier says foul ball gave him a 'dead leg'"

"I squared myself up pretty good right there," Ethier said. "I wasn't sure if it hit off the ground before it hit my leg or not, and then someone watching the replay said I direct-lined it. It's just one of those plays that happen. My leg is littered with scars and marks from doing that over the years."

• ICYMI: one-time Dodger Chone Figgins to officially retire, via Mark Polishuk at MLB Trade Rumors.  
• Panini America shares a bunch of great pics and video of the San Diego Chicken's recent autograph signing in Santee (Link Here).
• Oy Vey!  Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Dodgers 5th starter competition officially a mess: Bolsinger scratched, Beachy hurt, Lee optioned."  Certainly not a great situation, but we fortunately have enough time to sort things out.  Ken Gurnick at MLB.com shares a Dave Roberts quote:

"At this point, we'll see," Roberts said when asked who his fifth starter is. "I don't know how long [Bolsinger's] oblique is going to last and how serious it is. Obviously, there's Zach Lee, and I don't know where Beachy is right now.

"It just keeps happening, I guess. Bolsinger has a mild oblique strain, whatever that means, and whatever it takes we'll know as days go on. He'll get treatment and see where it goes from there. You win with pitching and defense. Look where we were at the start of camp and where we are now, it's a little frustrating. Every team goes through it in some capacity. It's another obstacle for us to deal with."

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Dodgers Notes from Spring Training: Spring Game 17/Road Game 9

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 (10-4-2) at Arizona Diamondbacks (12-4-1)
Friday, March 18, 2016 – 1:10 p.m. MT | Salt River Fields at Talking Stick
RHP Brandon Beachy (0-0, 0.00) vs. RHP Zack Godley (0-0, 7.20)
TV: None Radio: AM 570 (English)

Today's Dodger lineup:
Ethier LF
Kendrick 2B
Turner 3B
Utley 1B
Puig RF
Grandal C
Hernandez SS
Thompson CF
Beachy P

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) March 18, 2016

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(Alex Wood, pic via @Dodgers on twitter)

MOVING FORWARD: The Dodgers, who are back on the road today, will take on the Diamondbacks in their last match-up of the spring at Salt River Fields. Los Angeles fell to the World Champion Kansas City Royals in yesterday’s contest, a 5-1 defeat at Camelback Ranch. At the plate, Joc Pederson doubled in the first inning and then was driven in by a Scott Van Slyke double to record the lone run for the Dodgers. On the mound, Alex Wood allowed just one run on four hits in 3.0 innings in his second start of the spring and Kenley Jansen, Louis Coleman and Pedro Baez each tossed a scoreless inning of relief, while Ross Stripling recorded four strikeouts in two scoreless frames.

(Van Slyke, pic via @Dodgers on twitter)

• The Dodgers beat the Diamondbacks, 7-2, in their last meeting on March 5 at Camelback Ranch.
• Los Angeles, who will host Arizona in its home regular-season opener on April 12, took the 2015 season series from the Diamondbacks, 13-6.

LIGHTING’EM UP: The Dodger offense has been clicking on all cylinders this spring, ranking among the National League clubs in slugging percentage .482 (2nd), batting average .283 (3rd) and on-base percentage (T-3rd). Individually, Scott Van Slyke ranks among the NL’s best in average (.414, 2nd), home runs (3, T-8th), on-base percentage (.500, T-3rd) and slugging percentage (.828, 3rd), while Austin Barnes and Rob Segedin are tied for second with four Spring Training homers.

(Agon at WBC, pic via WBC on twitter)

VIVA MEXICO!: The Dodgers would like to congratulate Adrian Gonzalez and Team Mexico on its 2-1 win in last night’s WBC qualifier against the Czech Republic! Gonzalez finished the night going 0-for-1 with three walks and a run scored. Dodger great Fernando Valenzuela, who served as a pitching coach for Team Mexico in the 2006, 2009 and 2013 World Baseball Classics, tournaments, threw the ceremonial first pitch prior to the game in Mexicali. Team Mexico will face Nicaragua on Friday at Mexicali.

TRIMMING THE ROOM: The Dodgers made their second cuts of the spring after yesterday’s game, optioning INF Micah Johnson, RHP Yaisel Sierra, RHP Ross Stripling and LHP Ian Thomas, while reassigning RHP Jose De Leon, LHP Julio Urias and C Jack Murphy to minor-league camp. The Dodgers have 47 players in big-league camp, excluding Brandon McCarthy and Frankie Montas, who are on the 60-day DL.

TODAY’S PROBABLE PITCHERS:

• RHP Brandon Beachy will make his second start of the spring, throwing 3.0 scoreless frames against the Cubs March 12. Beachy, who has appeared in two games thus far during Spring Training, has yet to give up a run in 5.0 innings of work. He made two starts with the Dodgers in 2015 after being reinstated from the 60-day disabled list, before being optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City where he went 1-1 with a 3.64 ERA in 10 games (nine starts).
• RHP Yimi Garcia will make his sixth appearance, last pitching Wednesday against the Rockies, allowing one run in an inning of relief. He ranked among the NL’s best relievers in WHIP (0.95, 5th), opponents’ batting average (.199, 16th), opponents’ on-base percentage (.242, 4th) and strikeout-to-walk ratio (6.60, 3rd).
• LHP Adam Liberatore will appear in his sixth Cactus League game, after tossing a perfect inning Wednesday against Colorado. Liberatore saw his first big league action last season with the Dodgers, going 2-2 with a 4.25 ERA in 39 games.
• LHP Luis Avilan will appear in his fifth game of the spring, after striking out the only batter he faced against the White Sox Tuesday. He combined to go 2-5 with a 4.05 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP in 73 relief appearances for the Braves and the Dodgers last season.
• RHP Jamey Wright has thrown 3.1 innings of work in four outings this spring (6 ER), last pitching Tuesday against the White Sox. Wright, a 19-year MLB veteran, last pitched in the Majors in 2014, going 5-4 with a 4.35 ERA in 61 appearances with the Dodgers.

(Kiké Hernandez, pic via Dodgers tumblr)

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And Your 2016 Dodgers Spring Training Ping Pong Champions Are...

Back in late February, as players were settling in for the start of spring training, the Dodgers began their annual ping pong tournament.  With the help of Clayton Kershaw and Adrian Gonzalez they randomly picked out playing-pairs and quickly established an championship bracket.

(Photo of tournament bracket via Eric Stephen on twitter)

As you know, Clayton has ruled the roost the past several years, but as you can see in the bracket above, he was matched up with a less than able player -- Adrian Gonzalez.  So, his return to the top of the hill was unlikely, and someone new would be basking in the sun.  Those other potential championship pairs include Kenta Maeda with Yasiel Puig, Alex Wood and AJ Ellis, and Julio Urias and Howie Kendrick.  None of these pairs, though, made it to the final round.

Instead of just plainly announcing the finalist for this years tournament I thought I'd let Kiké Hernandez do it, via a series of tweets by Adrian Gonzalez.

First up, from the right bracket, is Brandon Beachy and Scott Van Slyke (tweet link here):

Ping pong Championship! @Brandon_Beachy & @ScottVanSlick #DodgersSt #PingPong pic.twitter.com/4i42njTXQs

— Adrian Gonzalez (@Adrian_ElTitan) March 10, 2016

And from the left bracket is Chris Anderson and Justin Turner (tweet link here):

Vs @SeeAyy & @redturn2 #DodgersST #PingPong pic.twitter.com/0fvMBikV7R

— Adrian Gonzalez (@Adrian_ElTitan) March 10, 2016

Unfortunately, gameplay of the entire match isn't available, but we do have a video of the winning point.  Check it out below, via another AGon tweet:

Your 2016 Ping Pong Champions!! @Brandon_Beachy & @ScottVanSlick #DodgersST pic.twitter.com/r0ejF1LsMh

— Adrian Gonzalez (@Adrian_ElTitan) March 10, 2016

Congrats! 

I wonder if they'll get a little trophy to commemorate the occasion.

Photo at the very top via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2016.  Photo of tournament bracket via Eric Stephen on twitter.

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Dodgers Notes from Spring Training: Spring Game 5/Home Game 3

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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Monday, March 7, 2016 – 1:05 p.m. MT | Camelback Ranch - Glendale

Cleveland Indians vs. LA Dodgers
RHP Danny Salazar (0-1, 13.50) vs. LHP Alex Wood (NR)
TV: None Radio: None

------------------

(Lining up for the anthem, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2016)

ON A ROLL: The undefeated Dodgers (3-0-1) return home to Camelback Ranch today to take on the Indians (0-4-2) in the first matchup of the spring between the two clubs. Yesterday, the Dodgers downed the Giants 5-2 in Scottsdale after taking the lead in the top of the fifth inning when outfielder Carl Crawford drove in a run with a triple and scored on a sacrifice fly by Yasiel Puig. Crawford finished the day going 2-for-3 with two RBI and shortstop Charlie Culberson continued to swing a hot bat, plating two more runs on a single in the top of the eighth in his only at-bat. Zach Lee pitched 2.0 scoreless innings in his first Spring Training start and Ross Stripling recorded the win, tossing 2.0 scoreless frames.

• The Dodgers last faced the Indians during the regular season in 2014, when the Tribe took two of three at Dodger Stadium.
• Charlie Culberson has gone 5-for-6 (.833) with a double, a triple and three RBI in four Spring Training games for Los Angeles.

YOUNG GUNS: The Dodgers enter the 2016 season with Baseball America’s top-ranked farm system and seven players ranked among the publication’s top 100 prospects: IF Corey Seager (#1), LHP Julio Urias (#4), RHP Jose De Leon (#23), RHP Kenta Maeda (#50), IF/OF Cody Bellinger (#54), RHP Grant Holmes (#72) and OF Alex Verdugo (#100).

(Dave Roberts, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2016)

NEW FRONT MAN: Dave Roberts is in his first season at the helm of the Dodgers after being named the 10th manager in Los Angeles history (28th in franchise history) on Nov. 23, 2015. Roberts, 43, served as the Padres’ bench coach from 2014-15 and was San Diego’s first base coach from 2011-13, after originally joining the organization as a special assistant in 2010. A veteran of 10 MLB seasons, Roberts was the starting center fielder for the Dodgers from 2002-04 and will become the fourth manager in Los Angeles history (15th overall in franchise history) to both play and manage the club.

• Rick Honeycutt returns for an 11th season as Dodger pitching coach and is the lone returning member of the Los Angeles coaching staff beyond catching instructor Steve Yeager. The new-look staff is comprised of bench coach Bob Geren (2015: Mets’ bench coach), hitting coach Turner Ward (2015: D-backs’ hitting coach), first base coach George Lombard (2015: Red Sox’ minor league outfield/baserunning coordinator), third base coach Chris Woodward (2015: Mariners’ first base coach), bullpen coach Josh Bard (2015: Dodgers’ pro scout), assistant hitting coach Tim Hyers (2015: Red Sox’ minor league hitting coordinator) and quality assurance coach Juan Castro (2015: Dodgers’ minor league infield coordinator).

HOT TICKETS!: The Dodgers notched their first sellout of the spring, with 13,122 fans taking in their victory over Arizona on Saturday. Last year, the Dodgers established team records in total (147,066) and average (9,804) Spring Training attendance, while Camelback Ranch saw a record number of fans with a combined attendance of 232,305 between the Dodgers and the White Sox. So far this season, advance ticket sales have been brisk with Camelback Ranch enjoying its best advance ticket sale in its eight-year history. Three additional Dodger games already have sold out - Friday, March 11 (Los Angeles Angels-Dodgers), Saturday night, March 12 (Chicago Cubs-Dodgers) and Friday night, March 25 (San Francisco Giants-Dodgers).

(Alex Wood, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2016)

ON THE MOUND: LHP Alex Wood will make his first start of the spring today. He enters his fourth Major League season and his second with the Dodgers after being acquired by the club in an eight-player deal with the Braves on July 30, 2015. Wood, 25, posted career numbers last season, winning a career-high 12 games (12-12) in 32 combined starts, while posting a 3.84 ERA.

• LHP Ian Thomas will make his first appearance of the spring this afternoon. A 2015 mid-season acquisition from the Atlanta Braves,  he made nine relief appearances (one start) for the Dodgers going 1-1 with a 4.00 ERA.
• LHP J.P. Howell, enters his 11th MLB campaign and his fourth season with the Dodgers after leading MLB relievers (min. 40.0 IP) with a 1.43 ERA in a team-high 65 appearances in 2015. He finished the season posting a 6-1 record with one save and tossed scoreless relief in 59 of 65 appearances.
• RHP Kenley Jansen will make his first appearance of the spring. He enters his seventh big league season after successfully converting 36 of 38 save opportunities last year, the third-highest single-season save percentage in team history (Gagne: 2003-100.0%, 2004-95.7%).
• RHP Louis Coleman will be making his second appearance of the spring after tossing a scoreless inning of relief on Friday against the Rangers. Coleman enters his first season with the Dodgers after signing with the club on Feb. 19, 2016.
• RHP Brandon Beachy will make his first appearance of the spring, after making his Dodger debut last season on July 11, 2015 with a start against the Brewers, his first since Aug. 20, 2013. He made two starts with the club after being reinstated from the 60-day disabled list, before being optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City where he went 1-1 with a 3.64 ERA in 10 games (nine starts).
• RHP Yimi Garcia will be making his second appearance of the spring after striking out one batter in a scoreless inning of relief on Thursday against the White Sox.  He ranked among the NL’s best relievers in WHIP (0.95, 5th), opponents’ batting average (.199, 16th), opponents’ on-base percentage (.242, 4th) and strikeout-to-walk ratio (6.60, 3rd) last season.

A LOOK BACK: The Dodgers went 92-70 in 2015, with the club claiming its third consecutive and 14th overall National League West title. It marked the first time in franchise history that the team reached the postseason in three consecutive seasons.

• The Dodgers topped the National League in homers for the first time since 1983, blasting 187, their most since 2004 (203 HR).
• Los Angeles led the Majors with a .988 fielding percentage, while committing the fewest errors (75) of any big league team.
• Los Angeles pitchers combined to post a 3.44 ERA, the fifth-best mark in the Majors, and tied for the big league lead with the Cubs with 21 shutouts.

(Banana mania continues unabated, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2016)

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Dodgers Notes from Spring Training: Full-Squad Workout #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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(Dave Roberts, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2016)

ROLL IT BACK: The Dodgers held their second full-squad workout of Spring Training today, with PFPs, bullpen sessions and batting practice in preparation for Opening Day, April 4 at San Diego. Los Angeles, in its eighth season training in Arizona, kicks off Cactus League play on Thursday, March 3 against the White Sox.

• Brandon Beachy and Alex Wood threw their first live bullpen sessions of the spring today on the minor league side. Tomorrow, live BP will be fully incorporated into the workout with a plethora of Dodger pitchers throwing to big league hitters on Fields 1, 2 and 3.
• Kenta Maeda, Julio Urias, Ian Thomas, Chris Anderson, Hyun-Jin Ryu, Jamey Wright, Lisalverto Bonilla and Jose De Leon all threw regular bullpens.

  

  (Koufax and Kenta, pic via Jon SooHoo on Dodgers twitter)

ROSTER UPDATE: Today, the Dodgers released non-roster right-handed pitcher Brooks Brown.

DODGER ROYALTY: Hall of Famer Sandy Koufax stopped by Camelback Ranch today, greeting Dodger players and staff during a brief visit to camp. Koufax wasn’t the only Cy Young Award winner in camp today, joining Special Advisor Greg Maddux (four-time winner, 1992-95) and guest coach Eric Gagné (2003), who are both expected to be regulars in Glendale throughout the spring.

• 1956 Cy Young Award winner and Special Advisor to the Chairman Don Newcombe is expected in camp towards the end of March.
• In addition to Gagné, Shawn Green, Ron Cey and Eric Karros will spend time at Camelback Ranch as guest coaches this spring.

THE WORLDWIDE LEADERS: The Dodgers were featured throughout the day today on ESPN’s SportsCenter with Tim Kurkjian, Jessica Mendoza and Aaron Boone anchoring coverage from Camelback Ranch. First baseman Adrian Gonzalez kicked off the coverage with a live hit on SportsCenter this morning, while Dave Roberts invited Kurkjian inside his office for a chat and Joc Pederson, Corey Seager and Justin Turner taped features for the network. Clayton Kershaw was featured on SportsCenter last night.

(Agon doing SportsCenter, pic via @Dodgers on twitter)

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Blog Kiosk 2/25/2016 - Dodgers Links - Turner, Maddux and Vin Scully to Call Opening Day

The legacy of great Dodgers catchers continues unabated.  Featured above is the fearless crew of Dodger backstop currently manning the plate at Camelback Ranch.  Photo via AJ Ellis on twitter and originally taken by Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2016.  Top Row: L to R - Steve Yeager, Kyle Farmer, Jack Murphy, AJ Ellis and Bob Geren.  Bottom Row: L to R - Austin Barnes, Shawn Zarraga and Yasmani Grandal.

Below are more links to check out:

• This is great news.  Via Bill Shaikin of the LA Times on twitter:

He won't travel much this year, but Vin Scully says he'll call #Dodgers' opener in San Diego: https://t.co/b9AG26qtuQ

— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) February 24, 2016

• Via Doug Padilla at ESPN, "Dodgers set to lock in Justin Turner at third base."

“We're going to keep [Turner] over at third base,” (Dave) Roberts said. “Things can change, but I don't see us deviating from that.”

• Padilla also wrote a great piece about Greg Maddux; "Greg Maddux eager to share knowledge with Dodgers pitchers."  Link Here.

"I think the main thing is to try to help the players," Maddux said. "Obviously, I have to get to know them first, and they have to get to know you. I’ll just watch the players and get to know them. If there’s something I can say or do that might make them better, that’s the goal -- to try to make the players better."

• Via Shawn Anderson at the Hall of Very Good, "Hyun-Jin Ryu Throws Party for Fellow Korean Players."
• Nick Cafardo at the Boston Globe suggest that the Dodgers might consider parting ways with Carl Crawford (link here).

Don’t be shocked if the Dodgers part ways with Carl Crawford and eat the remaining $42 million on his contract. There comes a point of diminishing returns — and a time to fill his roster spot with a younger, more productive player — and it seems the Dodgers are getting closer to that point.

• Dustin Nosler at Dodgers Digest shares his list of "2016 Dodgers Top 100 Prospects: No. 20-11."
• Via Ron Cervenka at Think Blue LA, "Brandon Beachy’s time has come … finally."

“We’re excited to have him back, second year removed from Tommy John he said that he feels great, the ball’s coming out,” said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. “He’s got a great look in his eye, he really does, and I don’t think he’s too concerned about the mechanics of the 40 or not, he just wants to stay healthy and compete and pitch well. And so I think that things always have a way of working themselves out so that’s our number one concern.”

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This is Some BS - AGon FanFest Autograph Time Change

I was so excited.

During this past Friday's Dodgers FanFest autograph voucher sale I was able to nail down the one autograph that had eluded me for so long.  I was able to get a voucher for Adrian Gonzalez!

WooHoo!

He was scheduled to sign during session #5 starting in the early afternoon - at 2:10 PM. (You can see the original schedule here)

Now, after receiving an email from the Dodgers that initial excitement has been totally deflated - like pummeled with a brush filled with sharp pointy needles.

Apparently, AGon will not be signing autographs at the previously allotted at time.  It has been changed!

Adrian Gonzalez has been moved to Session #1.  Per an email I received:

Adrian Gonzalez will now be signing autographs with Jerry Hairston Jr. from 10:10-11:00am (instead of 2:10-3:00pm). There are a limited amount of vouchers still available for this session. If you would like to exchange your 2:10-3:00pm voucher for Adrian's new 10:10-11:00am session, you may do so on a first come, first serve basis.

There are instructions to exchange my ticket for the early morning session, but as I write this little post I still remain on-hold waiting to talk to a representative.  Ugh!

Will I be able to make the exchange, or will I be facing another year of autograph hunting futility.  I guess only time will tell.

BTW, the Dodgers sneakily changed the entire autograph schedule on their website.  See it below.  Click on the pic to embiggen.

Below is the original schedule.

Obviously, with Brandon Beachy being outrighted to the minors yesterday having him scheduled to sign in the morning wasn't optimal.  Naturally, they wanted to replace him with somebody... But did they have to move Adrian?

And I know some of you are thinking, "well, Yasmani Grandal ain't bad."  And, yeah, he's fine, but he's no Adrian Gonzalez. 

I'm so irked right now.

UPDATE:  WooHoo!  I'm happy again. I just got off the line with a rep and I was able to exchange my old ticket for a new one.  As of this update (4:58 Pm), as passed along by the rep, there are about 14 tickets left for exchanges. 

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Blog Kiosk: 1/28/2016 - Dodgers Links - Garko, Puig and Corey Seager

Several Dodgers' spent yesterday afternoon with survivors and first responders involved with the recent San Bernardino terrorist attack.  Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"It's amazing to see," Ethier said. "Being in Arizona, you know what happened, but you can't realize the impact and the magnitude like when you come here and see it first hand, even two months after. You ask them how they're doing and everyone says, 'One day at a time.' You hope you can brighten their day, even though you know they have a long, tough road to recovery."

This was a part of the clubs continuing "Love L.A." Community Tour throughout the Southland. BTW, Andre also commented about losing Zack Greinke in the same article above:

"It hurts big losing Zack," Ethier said. "Personally, he is one of the better friends I had on the team. It hurts a lot to lose a guy like him, but that happens in any sport and especially baseball. But it happens and we've got to move on and figure a way to get better, and we'll see in a couple weeks. 

Photo above via @Dodgers on twitter/Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2016.  Check out more photos from yesterdays event from Jon SooHoo here.  Below are more links to check out:

• Could something be brewing?  The Dodgers announced yesterday that they have outrighted pitcher Brandon Beachy to their Triple-A roster, with the right-hander still set to appear at big league camp during Spring Training as a non-roster invitee.  This move means they now have 39 players on the 40 man roster.  So, why do they need the extra room on the roster?
• Listen to Dave Roberts on Inside the Locker Room with Petros and Money, here.
• Via Cary Osborne at Dodger Insider, "Dodger third-base coach Chris Woodward will make you believe."

“The biggest thing for me is the fight the ballplayer has,” Woodward said. “They look at it from a softball standpoint, where it’s more like a recreational kind of, ‘Let’s go have a few beers after the game.’ The competition part was kind of lacking. That’s one thing I want to create in the ballplayers. It’s an uphill fight, but if you do it right you can establish baseball the right way.”

• Panini America released a whole bunch of preview pics from their upcoming 2015 National Treasures College set; including a pic of Jackie Robinson in an UCLA uniform (a track uni?).  See that on the right.  Go here to check out more photos.  This set officially hits stores on Friday.
• Via JP Hoornstra at the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, "Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig is slimming down at the team’s request."

“This year, 280,” he said in English, breaking into a grin. “I’m so fat.”

After a pause, Puig said he now weighs 240 pounds. That’s 15 pounds lower than his listed weight in last year’s media guide.

“I’m working to slim down,” he said. “Maybe when we go into spring training, 236 or 237.”

• Guess who's #1 in MLB Pipeline's list of top shorstop prospects?  Corey Seager, of course!  Via Jim Callis at MLB.com, "Top 10 shortstops."

His brother Kyle is an All-Star, and Corey should be even better. He led the Minors in hitting (.349) and doubles (50) in 2014, then batted .337/.425/.561 during a September callup last year -- at age 21. Seager may eventually move to third base, but his combination of a sweet left-handed stroke, bat speed, strength, uncanny feel for hitting and mature approach give him a higher offensive ceiling than any Major League shortstop except for Carlos Correa.

• Via Barry Lewis at Tulsa World, "New manager Ryan Garko learned from Drillers legend Bobby Jones."

“One of the best parts was I got to play for Bobby Jones. He was a treat to play for. He was in a tough spot because that was a veteran club, a lot of guys going back and forth and didn’t want to be there. But Bobby handled it great. Everybody who has been around Bobby knows what a great baseball guy he is.”

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Blog Kiosk: 1/7/2016 - Dodgers Links - Montas, Beachy and Piazza

Here's a great photo of freshman Hall of Famer Mike Piazza with grizzled old-pro Tommy Lasorda, via Tommy's twitter.  Those were the day's, eh? 

This burgeoning young star was on the cusp of what would be an incredible career.  He would wow crowds with breathtaking home runs while becoming the most prolific hitting catcher of all time.  Unfortunately, his time in LA isn't one of fondness for him.  Instead, there's been plenty of controversy; much of which was written about yesterday by Steve Dilbeck at the LA Times: "Mike Piazza has made it hard for Dodgers fans to share his happiness."

Piazza comes off a bitter man. It’s distasteful and sad, and sours the six years he spent here establishing himself as one of baseball’s premier hitters. He is the godson of Tommy Lasorda. The Dodgers took him in the 62nd round of the draft and brought him up through their system. He was the National League Rookie of the Year here. Fans adored him.

Yet he acts like his time with the Dodgers was pure hell. That the organization and fans, even Vin Scully, all turned on him.

I too don't understand why he has consistently turned his back on Dodger fans.  It's strange... And disheartening.  I wish it weren't this way, but it is.  For whatever reason, he has decided that he wants nothing to do with us.  I guess with more time that could change, but for now I feel like that old friend you never bother to call back.  Below are more links to check out:

• There is a 1:00 PM press conference at Dodger Stadium today.  The announcement didn't state what it would be about, but I think it's fair to say that they'll be officially announcing the Kenta Maeda signing.  The last portion of the press release was in Japanese.
• As I'm sure you know by now, the Dodgers re-signed Brandon Beachy yesterday.  Per a Dodger press release:

Beachy, 29, has gone 14-12 with a 3.36 ERA in 48 Major League starts in five seasons with Atlanta (2010-13) and Los Angeles (2015), missing significant action due to Tommy John surgeries on June 21, 2012 and March 21, 2014. In 275.2 innings in the big leagues, Beachy has limited opposing hitters to a .223 batting average with a 1.16 WHIP and posted a 3.04 strikeout-to-walk ratio, striking out 280 and walking only 92.

 

Beachy spent the 2015 season in the Los Angeles organization and made two starts with the Dodgers (0-1, 7.88 ERA) after being reinstated from the 60-day disabled list on July 11 (recovery from Tommy John surgery). He finished the season in the minors, where, including his rehab assignment, he compiled a 1-1 record with a 3.51 ERA and limited opponents to a .229 batting average in 11 games (10 starts) with Single-A Rancho Cucamonga and Triple-A Oklahoma City,

• Eric Stephen at True Blue LA shares details of Beachy's contract here.  It is heavily incentive laden.
• Listen to Scott Kazmir speak with David Vassegh on Dodger Talk from the other day, here.  (Audio Link)
• Via Bill Plunkett at Baseball America, "Montas Waiting In The Wings For Dodgers."

The 6-foot-2 Montas is one of the hardest-throwing pitching prospects in baseball with a fastball that reaches 100 mph and a power slider. He made his major league debut with two starts for the White Sox in September and is considered major league-ready if the Dodgers want to move him to the bullpen.

• David Hood at True Blue LA shares his prospect report on recently acquired outfielder Trayce Thompson, here.

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Blog KIosk: 10/14/2015 - Dodger Links - Puig, Turner and the Awesome Clayton Kershaw

Ha!  Check that out.  Banana's in the stands for Kiké Hernandez and the Dodgers in New York.  Photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2015.

What a fantastic game last night.  Everything I dreamed of and hoped for came true, and I'm crossing my fingers that it'll continue tomorrow.  As you know, Game 5 will begin at 5:00 PM on Thursday, and I think it's fair to say that all of the Baseball watching world will be tuning in. 

As for last night's game, what is there to say?  Clayton Kershaw was great.  Via Pedro Moura at the OC Register:

After he won the game for the Dodgers, he would not discuss his previous seventh-inning struggles, but he was happy to answer a question about his perceived reliance on fastballs.

“Yeah, it really wasn’t by design,” Kershaw said, “but I think I probably did end up throwing more fastballs tonight – less sliders. Probably give (catcher A.J. Ellis) credit on that. He felt confident throwing the heater tonight with a lot of guys and we were able to get some outs behind in the count on it, which was great, some jam shots and some pop-ups, which was big.

“But throwing fastballs will either get you in trouble or keep your pitch count down. So fortunately for me tonight it kind of kept it down a little bit.”

And "Red Beard" has been fantastic.  Via Christ Haft at MLB.com on Justin Turner.  He is batting .467 (7 for 15) to lead the series:

"It seems like everything they throw at him, he hits it hard," Los Angeles utility man Kiké Hernandez said. "I'm glad he's locked in. He's carrying us right now."

Below are more links to check out:

• Unfortunately, some injuries are popping up for the Dodgers.  Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Grandal's shoulder pain surfaces in Game 3."  Worse yet, Justin Turner isn't exactly 100% right now.  Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Justin Turner dealing with left knee soreness, delivers key hit in Dodgers' Game 4 win."

"JT was a little sore yesterday during the game. He had some swelling but was able to play," manager Don Mattingly said. "But as the game went on he was going to have trouble moving."

• Check out transcripts for several postgame interviews in the links below:

• Don Mattingly

• Clayton Kershaw

• Justin Turner and AJ Ellis

• Via Bill Plunkett at the OC Register, "Injuries wreak havoc with Yasiel Puig's season."

“It’s just been up and down,” Mattingly said of Puig’s season. “He’s never really got any kind of true rhythm, I don’t think, through the course of the year. He got started, actually swung the bat good early, got hurt, came back, took him awhile. He kind of reinjured that leg before he even got back (in May). Played awhile, had another one (hamstring injury).

“It’s just been a bumpy kind of stop-and-start type of year.”

• I suppose the league, the union and everyone else isn't prepared for an appeal process since suspensions are very infrequent.  Via ESPN, "Chase Utley's appeal hearing scheduled for Monday."
• Regarding any rule changes, Commissioner Manfred spoke a bit about it with Jayson Stark at ESPN; "Commissioner Rob Manfred talks about difficulty of improving slide rule." 

"I hate to admit this," the commissioner said before Tuesday's St. Louis Cardinals-Chicago Cubs game, "but I think the way we had to work through the home-plate situation gives you a feel for how difficult it is to write that kind of rule that involves in-game action and an important part of the game."

• Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Brandon Beachy now a free agent."
• Via Arash Markazi at ESPN, "Why so much of Dodgers' Brooklyn history resides in Los Angeles."  This is about super collector Gary Cypres and his massive Dodger collection in his LA museum.  

"There are various levels of collectors," Cypres said. "I'm obviously on the far nutty side of it all. I'm completely nuts. People ask me why I do it, and I don't know why. All I know is that I get a great sense of joy in collecting. It's like a holiday all year round for me. I get presents all year round. Every day, Federal Express comes with another goodie I've bought."

...

 "I'm going to put the Dodger collection in a trust," he said. "The Dodger collection cannot be replaced. There are no duplicates of what I have. Gloves, balls and bats can be replaced, but the history of a franchise which took me 25 years to assemble, that's impossible to replace. That's a treasure, and I don't want my kids to blow the treasure. It's my love, and even after death, I'm going to be looking down saying, 'No, no, no,' if they want to get rid of it. You can't do that. It's history, and that means something to me."

 BTW, he will be reopening his museum to the public next year, so stay tuned for those details.

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Blog Kiosk: 7/11/2015 - Dodger Links - Kershaw, Guilmet and Beachy

Check out this fantastic colorized attempt of a legendary photograph taken by George Bain of the Dodger dugout during the 1916 World Series.  It was shared by r/IckyChris on r/colorization Reddit.  From left to right: centerfielder Hi Myers, manager Wilbert Robinson, and an unknown mascot/bat boy.

Below are some links to check out:

• You're welcome, Clayton!  Via his twitter:

Ending Twitter hibernation to thank everyone who voted for me! Very cool to see the turn out regardless of the results!

— Clayton Kershaw (@ClaytonKersh22) July 10, 2015

• Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider thinks he still might make it to the All-Star - as the first alternate should any pitcher be unable to attend.
• The Dodgers make another roster move by picking up Preston Guilmet off waivers, via a tweet from Ken Rosenthal.

#Dodgers claim RHP Preston Guilmet on waivers from #Rays.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 10, 2015

• Via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider, "Dodgers claim Preston Guilmet, designate Chris Reed for assignment."

Guilmet, 27, has 21 innings of Major League experience with a 6.43 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 7.7 K/9. In Triple-A this year, he has a 1.84 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 8.6 K/9. The Dodgers are his third organization this year, after the Rays claimed him from the Blue Jays on May 13.

• Via Eric Stephen at True Blue, "Brandon Beachy will start Saturday for Dodgers."  He last pitched almost two years ago, and this will be his first start as a Dodger.

"Yesterday when we talked I didn't think he would be the starter today. We knew phyiscally he was ready, just through the trainers and how he's been doing and bouncing back," Mattingly said. "He's had some conversations with Farhan [Zaidi, general manager] and some of the guys, and absolutely feels like he's ready to go. That's what we needed to hear. We weren't worried about the physical part, it was more the mental side, and he sounds ready to go."

• Via Bernie Pleskoff at MLB.com, "Scouting profile: Cody Bellinger."

Bellinger can hit. Not at all flashy, he has a very uncomplicated, easy swing. Bellinger makes good contact, using the barrel of the bat to consistently hit line drives to the right-center-field gap or down the right-field line. He gets out in front of the ball with quick wrists and above-average, but not elite, bat speed. A disciplined hitter with very good mechanics, it will be very surprising if Bellinger doesn't hit for a high batting average throughout his career.

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Blog Kiosk: 6/15/2015 - Dodger Links - Pederson, Seager and Draftee Sborz

Was Joc laying down on the job?

Hardly.  Instead, he made a fantastic catch against the centerfield wall off the bat of Justin Upton in the ninth inning of last night's game.  It ultimately preserved a 2-2 tie, and allowed the club an opportunity to eventually win the game in the 12th inning.  Via Mark Saxon at ESPN:

He admitted the situation made it a big catch, and said, "The harder one is the line drive over your head, but it's up there for difficulty." He credited his dad and Dodgers outfield instructor Damon Mashore for refining his route running.

The photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2015.  Go here to check out more pics taken by JOn of yesterday's game.  Below are some links to check out:

• Via Mark Saxon at ESPN, "Dodgers insist Corey Seager promotion not imminent."

Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said the team will promote Seager when he is ready, not because Rollins is batting .200. He said the team has a road map for Seager’s development that includes more seasoning at Triple-A. The Dodgers think he could benefit from continuing to face the veteran pitchers at Triple-A and continuing to adjust to a faster game defensively.

“We feel like he’s in a really good place to be a really good major league player for a long time, but when that is will be determined by when he’s ready to do it, when we feel like it will put him in the best position to be as good as he can be as quickly as he can be,” Friedman said.

• Via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider, "Jackie Robinson explains how the Dodgers missed out on Willie Mays."

Jackie says the Dodgers blew a chance to land Willie Mays when he was a 16-year-old phenom with the Birmingham Black Barons. “The Dodger players were much impressed with Mays when we played an exhibition game with the Barons,” said Jackie. “The front office in Brooklyn was contracted, but Wid Mathews, Mr. Rickey’s assistant, turned down Willie because Wid said he couldn’t hit a curve ball.”

• Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Van Slyke, Peralta begin rehab assignments: Dodgers pitchers Rodriguez, Beachy and League set to join them soon
• Via Cash Kruth at MLB.com, "Dodgers draftee Sborz dominant at CWS."

"He throws strikes. He attacks you. That slider is, what, 84 to sometimes up to 87, 88 mph. It's a pretty darned good pitch," Virginia coach Brian O'Connor said. "So you have a lot of confidence in him that he's going to go at them and give his best. And he's been pretty darned near as good as you can be all year long for us."

• Via Vincent Bonsignore at Los Angeles Daily News, "NFL in Dodger Stadium? League expected to begin negotiations for temporary L.A. venues."
• Greg picks up a great vintage Baseball magazine.  Via Greg Zakwin at Plashke Thy Sweater is Argyle, "Pickup: Baseball Stars of 1954, w/ Cover Boys Roy Campanella and Al Rosen!"
• I love hearing about this kind of thing.  Via Rich Mueller at Sports Collectors Daily, "1909 Philadelphia Caramel Cards Found in Old Cookie Tin."

A volunteer digging through mounds of material left inside the Parker Homestead in Little Silver recently found them, tucked safely inside an old cookie tin that had been placed in a box with hundreds of postcards and other items. 

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Blog Kiosk: 5/23/2015 - Dodger Links - Puig, Pederson and Brandon Beachy

When I came across this photo on eBay I knew I had to share it - watermark and all.  Featured above is former Dodger skipper Walter Alston playing a game of pool with his father at his Ohio home in 1962.  He had just signed a new contract to coach the club for another season, and was no doubt celebrating with a leisurely game.

On the other hand, knowing Alton's reputation as a pool shark, it may not have been so laid-back.  After all, Alston had said on numerous occasions that he put himself through college playing pool, and it's well known he would happily take your wad should you meet him at the table.

Some say he was the best billiard player in the game, and when he teamed up with Jim Gilliam and Leo Durocher (all fantastic pool players in their own right) they formed a fantastic cabal that stormed through the league.

I often wonder how much money they hustled off of opposing teams.  Did they come into a city with thoughts of victory and wealth?  Would they meet with the opposing players/coach's at a local hall hoping to demoralize them on the green felt after doing so on the green grass?  What kind of shtick would Alston use when facing someone who didn't know him?

I can imagine it now.  He plays some country bumpkin, wheeling in an unsuspecting mark, before setting off a volley of game-winning shots.  

Below are some more links to check out:

• Yasiel Puig looks to be ready to restart his rehab program, via a tweet from Jon Heyman:

Puig said to be feeling much better. May not be that much longer. #dodgers

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) May 22, 2015

• Via Ryan Parker at Baseball Prospectus, "Going Yard: The Near Perfection of Pederson."

Pederson’s swing is just that: A blend of old and new school that is beautiful to watch and has created impressive results. Pederson has the loose, relaxed upper body reminiscent of hitters of yesteryear with the big leg kick, and the aggressive lower body movements favored by the best modern hitters. This movement pattern isn’t just aesthetically pleasing, it’s an efficient way to deliver the bat with force. The coach in me loves his swing because the movements are so big and clear; Pederson provides a great template to show young hitters how to move with intent at the plate. 

• Just another depth move for the Dodgers.  Via Jeff Todd at MLB Trade Rumors, "Dodgers Acquire Eric Surkamp From White Sox."  Apparently, Blake Smith was sent to the White Sox.
• Brandon Beachy, signed over the winter, pitched a three-inning simulated game/live batting practice yesterday in preparation for a possible rehab assignment.  He would certainly be in the starting pitching mix should he prove to be ready in the minors.  Via a tweet from @Think_BlueLA:

Brandon Beachy throwing live BP to Kike Hernandez and Joc Pederson. pic.twitter.com/zjW6SSDOwo

— ThinkBlueLA (@Think_BlueLA) May 22, 2015

• This is really cool.  Via Thomas Duffy at the Bleacher Report, "Father Surprises Daughter at Wedding with a Game of Catch During 1st Dance."
• Here's a video I came across of Clayton Kershaw doing some painting by throwing balls for MTV.  Best yet, he spent some time throwing right-handed.

Video Link:

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Blog Kiosk: 5/18/2015 - Dodger Links - Some Weekend Odds and Ends

Here are some of the players from my youth.  From L-R: Kenny Landreaux, Pedro Guerrero, Steve Sax and Mike Marshall.  The photo was taken by Dodger photographer Jon SooHoo at the Old-Timers Game luncheon on Saturday.  Go here to check out more photos by Jon of the event.

Below are some more links to check out:

• Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider shared a fantastic video featuring Roy Firestone interviewing Vin Scully in 1990.  Check it out here.
• Via Steve Dilbeck at the LA Times, "Sandy Koufax says there's no need to worry about Clayton Kershaw."

"Everybody has their periods when things aren't right," (Koufax) said. "What is the rodeo saying? `There's never been a bull that hasn't been rode, never been a cowboy who hasn't been throwed.' There are some days — you're a human being — when it's just not there. But the good ones have a hell of a lot more good days than bad."

• Via Earl Bloom at MLB.com, "Beachy throws to hitters as recovery continues."

"We're just leaving it in the hands of the medical staff -- it's still their call," manager Don Mattingly said before Sunday's game against the Rockies at Dodger Stadium. "There's no timetable. We're just letting his elbow tell us when he's ready [to pitch in rehab games]."

• Via Ron Cervenka at Think Blue LA, "Bolsinger credits Yasmani Grandal for his success."

“There are times when I’m gripping the ball and I’m already gripping a curveball and he calls it because he knows that’s what I want to throw,” said Bolsinger. “So that tells you a lot about his character and the way he likes to have relationships with all of his pitchers and it shows in the field with all the guys pitching, everyone’s doing really well. I think all of the credit goes to the catchers in that one.” 

• Via Dan Arritt at ESPN, "Los Angeles Dodgers' Kenley Jansen returns to closer role, notches first save."

“One thing I tell myself is that I’m not going to think about it, because if you’re going to think about your foot, now you might do something wrong with your delivery and now you’re going to cause your arm to get hurt,” he said. “If something’s wrong with [the foot], if it breaks or something like that happens, it happens. I just go out there and don’t pay any attention to it and pitch.”

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