Blog Kiosk: 1/17/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

Welcome the newest Dodger -- Cooper Ellis Kershaw.

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

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1953 the Brooklyn Dodgers traded Andy Pafko to the Milwaukee Braves for Roy Hartsfield. In 1976 Dodger great Tommy Davis is released by the KC Royals, ending an 18-year MLB career. He played eight seasons as a Dodger; slashing .304/.338/.441/.779 with an 117 OPS+, 16.2 WAR, two batting crowns and two All-Star appearances.
• Happy Birthday, Tyler Houston, Scott Mullen, Harry Pattee & Don Zimmer!

Blog Kiosk: 9/13/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

We Won! I can't believe we beat the Reds. Per Rowan Kavner at Dodger Insider:

“These guys had our number all year,” said manager Dave Roberts. “Credit to those guys. … Just to get out of here with a win, with where we were at, is a good thing.”

The offense finally woke up against the red menace when they hammered out eight runs against Cincinnati yesterday afternoon -- including a three-RBI night for both Justin Turner and Yasmani Grandal (boxscore). The Dodgers now sit at 1.5 games back of the Rockies with 16 games to go.

This thing is going down to the wire, and a part of me is loving it. Sure, it would've been great to have clinched already. Nevertheless, I find this race to the finish enthralling. It's like I'm on the edge of my seat watching an exciting movie. Everyday this month I've found myself screaming at the television while my heart races with the beat of the season. This is why Baseball is the greatest game in the world.

Photo above of Justin Turner via John Minchillo/AP Photo at Dodger Insider. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1925 future Brooklyn Hall of Famer Dazzy Vance no-hit the Phillies at Ebbets Field, 10-1. In 1977 outfielder Dusty Baker set a franchise record by recording five RBI's in a single inning -- during the second inning against the Padres. His hits include a two-run double and a three-run homer. In 2005 Dodgers futility was at it's best. During the second inning against the Padres all three Dodger outfielders (Ricky Ledee, Jose Cruz Jr. and Jason Werth) committed errors that contributed to the scoring of six runs and a loss, 6-4.
• Happy Birthday, Harry Redmond, Dutch Ruether, John Kelleher, Sam Crane, Otho Nitcholas, Morrie Aderholt, Rick Dempsey, Andy LaRoche & Zach Lee!

Blog Kiosk: 8/15/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

I prefer goofy pics of Kershaw over photos of last nights little brawl. I will add this, why is it the Giants that always starts this crap? Why couldn't that catcher just mind his own business? It should come as no surprise that Mr. "Don't Look at Me" started that game.

"When I missed the pitch, I knew that was the best pitch Watson was going to throw me, so I was a little upset," Puig said. "[Hundley] told me to stop complaining and get back into the box, and when I got into his face he told me to also get out of his face, so that's when I got upset."
...
"It doesn't happen with other teams, and it doesn't seem to happen when we're in San Francisco," Puig said. "It usually seems to happen when we're here, and I'm not going to let them act like that in our house."

I might suggest that the Giants strategy to get under Puig's skin is deliberate. Bochy is a crafty SOB.

Photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2018 at Dodger Insider. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1926 a daffy play happened to the daffiest of Brooklyn ballplayers. Outfielder Babe Herman, in the seventh inning and the bases loaded, hit a double off the right field wall and attempted to stretch it to a triple. Unbeknownst to him, two runners ahead of him failed to advance beyond third base. So, he cruised into third while two other Dodgers were standing there. Per the rules, the lead runner is entitled to the base, so Herman and the man who was on first (Chick Fewster) were called out. So, Herman doubled into a double play.

Blog Kiosk: 8/13/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

You never want to lose a game on a walk-off walk. Never! Per Anne Rogers at MLB.com:

"You're not going to lie about it, it is a blow," starting pitcher Rich Hill said. "You have to regroup. We're going back home to play the Giants, who is another team that's right there. The thing is, you just learn from the mistakes we made here. I know things I have to tighten up. Obviously, this is going to be a tough race all the way down to the finish."

Photo above of Rich Hill via Matt Kelley/MLB.com at Dodger Insider. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1910 the Dodgers and Pirates play the second game of a double-header to an 8-8 tie. Even more remarkable is that it includes a boxscore where each team had 38 at-bats, 13 hits, 12 assists, 2 errors, 5 strike outs, 3 walks, 1 hit batsman and 1 passed ball. This game was a tie in nearly every respect. In 1951 the Brooklyn Dodgers held Musical Depreciation Night; where any fan who shows up with an instrument is given free admittance. Approximately 10% of the crowd, 2,423 fans, participate. In 1982 Steve Sax set a team franchise record for stolen bases by a rookie at 41. In 2007 Nomar Garciaparra, for the first time in his career, is thrown out of a game, and had to be restrained by coach Mariano Duncan. Umpire Tom Hallion tossed him for arguing a called third strike.
• Happy Birthday, Fielder Jones, Kemp Wicker, Wes Flowers, Mudcat Grant, Tom Niedenfuer, Dennis Powell, Tom Prince, Will Ohman & Scott Elbert!

2018 Topps Heritage Baseball - All the Dodgers Base Cards

The ever-popular Heritage brand Baseball card set from Topps is now officially available in stores. This years set borrows its design from the 1969 Topps flagship set. Below is a look at all of the Dodgers' base and variation cards that are available. (UPDATE: Only 3 variations indicated below. There are actually 9 of them. Go here to see them all.) I've also included a checklist for the Base Chrome & Mini Parallel insert cards. Go here for a complete checklist.

There are several notable subsets available here. First, there are World Series Highlights cards that feature the three Dodger wins in the recent Fall Classic. Overall, there are eight cards in this set; including one for each game played and one celebration card for the Astros.

Another notable subset is the puzzle back set featuring Cody Bellinger. What you do is take the ten National League Topps News All-Star cards to form one large Bellinger portrait. I'll share this checklist and a look at the entire puzzle in a post tomorrow. In the meantime, check out all the Dodger base cards below.

Base Cards

#2 Blackmon, Justin Turner & Murphy -- LL

2018 Topps Series 1 Baseball - Check Out All the Dodgers Base Cards

First, we had the FanFest. Now, we collectors can rejoice at the release of Topps' 2018 flagship Baseball card set.

As you certainly know, today marks the official release of Topps Series 1 Baseball, and I've got pics of all the Dodger base cards to share. I also have pics of the known short prints/variations. Check them out below. Go here for a complete checklist.

Of note, there are an extraordinary number of horizontal Dodger cards (9 of 17 cards). Also, both Walker Buehler and Alex Verdugo are included in this base set.

Base

#2 Clayton Kershaw LL

#35 Logan Forsythe           #42 Cody Bellinger

Thank You, Brandon McCarthy & Scott Kazmir!

I made a few more fantasy Baseball cards of two recently traded Dodgers -- Brandon McCarthy and Scott Kazmir. Check them out above and below.

As you know, both starting pitchers signed significant contracts with the team, but they also both battled injuries while here. McCarthy was unable to stay healthy for a full season after signing his four year contract -- having thrown just 29 starts over three seasons in Los Angeles. Kazmir, on the other hand, signed a three year deal that saw him stay in the starting rotation during his first season in Blue -- recording 26 starts. Unfortunately, he would not pitch again for the team. The following season he suffered a hip injury that lead to a loss of velocity, and that lead to him not only losing a rotation spot but also forced him onto the disabled list. Kazmir would not pitch in 2017.

Regardless, once a Dodgers, always a Dodger.

Blog Kiosk: 12/20/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

The Yasiel Puig #SantaPuig truck made a surprise visit to the Evergreen Recreation Center in East LA yesterday afternoon to hand out toys and gifts to local families. As yo can see, smiles were seen all-around.

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

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1976 the Dodgers traded Ted Sizemore to the Phillies for catcher Johnny Oats and a minor leaguer. In 1989 the Dodgers traded Mike Marshall and Alejandro Peña to the Mets for infielder Juan Samuel.  In 2005 the Dodgers signed free agent outfielder Kenny Lofton.
• Happy Birthday, Branch Rickey, Harry Stovey, Bob Hall, Butch Henline, Fred Merkle & Snooks Dowd!

Blog Kiosk: 12/18/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Weekend Odds and Ends

(Via tweet from AGon)

Do you know what happens when you spend all weekend shopping and don't bother lifting a finger to check out any news?

Something big happens, like a blockbuster trade, that you don't discover until a couple days later.

That's what I experienced this morning. I dutifully got up and prepared for work, headed to the office and finally decided to check out my news feed -- something I chosen to ignore all weekend long. To my utter surprise, I discovered that old-friend Matt Kemp is back in LA. (For how long? I dunno.) And just as shockingly, the Dodgers shipped high-priced talent Adrian Gonzalez, Brandon McCarthy, Scott Kazmir, along with utilityman Charlie Culberson and some cash to the Braves in return.

Wow! Stay tuned as I think about some "thank you" and "welcome" post with fantasy Baseball cards.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 2009 the Dodgers traded outfielder Juan Pierre to the White Sox for pitchers John Ely and Jon Link. In 2014 the Dodgers traded Tim Federowicz and Matt Kemp to San Diego for Zach Eflin, Yasmani Grandal and Joe Wieland. 
• Happy Birthday, Dave Oldfield, Hub Knolls, Jimmy Pattison, Bill Skowron, Gino Cimoli, Zoilo Versalles, Lance Carter & Micah Johnson!

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: 11/10/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Although this is far from the most artistic photograph you'll ever see, it is interesting. Featured here is a March 1943 ACME press photo (eBay auction link) of America's finest at West Point watching the Brooklyn Dodgers train. Per the descriptor on the reverse:

Dodgers Try Indoor Training Ground -- General Mud was a wartime stymie in the field of sport, today, He ousted the Dodgers from their Bear Mountain training camp and sent them scurrying to the safety of the West Point Academy Field House. Here, soldiers sneak a look through the net as the famous Bums get the kinks out of their batting arms.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1988 Orel Hershiser was named the winner of the NL Cy Young Award.  He became the ninth pitcher in MLB history to be an unanimous choice.
• Happy Birthday, Billy Earle, Whitey Alpermann, Eddie Eayrs, Chick Fewster, Carmen Mauro, Mike Vail, Matt Magill, Rob Segedin & Shawn Green!

Dodger Roster for the 2017 World Series

(graphic via SportsNet LA on twitter)

At long last we have the Dodgers roster for the World Series, and it includes a small surprise. Both Kyle Farmer and Curtis Granderson are off the 2017 World Series roster. So, who will replace them?

As you know, Corey Seager is expected to be back on the field, so he will be one of the new faces in the Dodger dugout. The other player will likely come as a surprise. Dodgers pitcher Brandon McCarthy, who has pitched only six inning since late-July, will join the Dodgers as a reliever. Per JP Hoornstra at the OC Register:

The 6-foot-7 right-hander has been restricted to simulated games and bullpen sessions since the regular season ended, but could become a useful multi-inning option in a best-of-seven series. 

McCarthy, 34, went 6-4 with a 3.98 earned-run average during the regular season. He began the year in the Dodgers’ rotation and posted a 3.84 ERA in 16 starts. But the veteran was never fully healthy, whether it was a right knee injury that caused him to miss a start in July, or a recurring finger blister that caused him to miss all of August and most of September.

Blog Kiosk: 9/18/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

I want to send out a hearty congratulations to the Dodgers Rookie-Level minor club, the Odgen Raptors, for their first ever Pioneer League Championship victory yesterday. Per William Boor at MLB.com; "Uceta helps lift Ogden to first Pioneer League title."

Mitchell Hanson, who had been just 2-for-10 in the postseason, put the Raptors on the board early with a two-run double in the top of the first. Hanson's hit got the offense rolling and the Raptors broke the game open with runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings via RBI hits from Brayan Morales, Connor Heady, Luis Paz and Romer Cuadrado. With the offense rolling, it was up to Edwin Uceta and the rest of the Raptors' pitchers to keep the Voyagers' offense in check and that's exactly what happened.

Per Michael Leboff & Andrew Battifarano at MiLB.com:

"We said very little in between games, the players dominated the dialogue," Raptors manager Mark Kertenian said. "They just got ready to get back to work and that's very characteristic of this group."

...
"They were fired up," Kertenian said. "They're happy for each other and they're enjoying each other. These guys understand that they are part of a good baseball team. They cared for each other and challenged each other, everybody feels very involved right now and they're expressing that."

Photo above of the team travelling home after winning via the Raptors on twitter. Below are more links to check out:

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

2017 Topps Heritage High Number - Dodgers Base, Variation and Parallel Cards

Topps 2017 Heritage High Numbers Baseball was released earlier this week, and below is a look at all the Dodger cards in the base set. Go here for a complete checklist. This set includes Cody Bellinger's first Heritage card.

Base Set

#507 Brandon McCarthy

#528 Logan Forsythe

Blog Kiosk: 7/21/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

I guess you can't win them all.

Last night the Dodgers eleven game winning streak was snapped by the Braves and it just doesn't feel right. Heck, the Dodgers haven't lost at home in almost a month, and they haven't lost to a National League team since the early part of June. Per Austin Laymance and Joshua Thornton at MLB.com:

"It's a weird feeling," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. "It's different. Even to that last out, I thought we were going to find a way to win the game. But I guess we have got to start another one tomorrow."

Photo above of Kenley Jansen, Don Newcombe and Matt Kemp via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2017. Go here to check out more pics by Jon and Jill Weisleder from yesterdays game. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1956 Dodgers shortstop Pee Wee Reese recorded his 2,000th career hit. Also, fellow teammate Junior Gilliam set a Major League record by handling twelve assist at second base. 
• Happy Birthday, Wally Clement, Claude Corbitt & Earl Mossor!

Blog Kiosk: 6/7/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

It's a little frustrating when your team pitches well, but loses the game nevertheless.

Last night the Dodgers lost a tough one as Brandon McCarthy and Max Scherzer dueled it out. Unfortunately, the Nationals pitcher was a bit better as the Dodgers offense continued their slump at the plate for the third straight game. I suppose the saving grace, though is that our pitchers appear to be locked in; especially McCarthy. Per Cary Osborne at Dodger Insider:

“It seems like every single time he gets out there he has control of the game,” Roberts said. “Like Scherzer, he had his mix working today — the breaking ball, the cutter, the two-seamer down below the zone, the four-seamer up. He left the change to Harper up that he hit the double on. But you take those (two) starts out and he’s as good as anyone in the league.”

The Dodgers fall to two games behind the Rockies in the NL West. The Photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2017. Go here to check out more pics by Jon from yesterdays game. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1898 Brooklyn owner Charles Ebbets stepped in to be the teams manager for the remainder of the season. They would not fare very well. The Dodgers would finish in 10th place with a 54-91 record. In 1982 Steve Garvey played in his 1,000th consecutive game. He would receive a standing ovation from fans at Dodger Stadium. In 1995 Tommy Lasorda won his 1,500th game as a major league manager when his Dodgers defeated the Expos, 7-1.
• Happy Birthday, Ike Benners, Bones Ely, Lafayette Henion & Roy Jarvis!

Blog Kiosk: 5/16/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

(pic above via Dodger Insider on twitter)

That was a tough hard-luck loss last night, but at least a mighty contingent of rabid Dodger fans, known as Pantone 294, once again took over an opposing stadium. They marched, they cheered and they even unfurled a giant Dodgers flag during the game.

Photo at the very top via Amanda McCarthy on twitter. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1970 a fourteen year old fan named Alan Fish was struck by a batted baseball at Dodger Stadium and would 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 stick 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, sitting in the Wrigley exposed bullpen, was hit in the back of the head and had his hat stolen by a unruly fan.  Several players and coaches jumped into the stands during the ensuing melee.
• Happy Birthday, Watty Clark, Rube Walker, Rick Rhoden, Mitch Webster & Eugenio Vélez!

Blog Kiosk: 4/28/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Corey Seager knows how to celebrate his birthday with style. Yesterday afternoon against the Giants, on his 23rd birthday, he launched his fifth home run of the young season in the first inning of the game. The knock is the 19th time in Dodger history that a player hit a round-tripper on his birthday, and the first time it's been done since Matt Kemp in 2014. As for the rest of the game, Julio Urias was impressive in his first outing of the year and the Dodgers offense finally rallied to win the game in the 10th inning. Per Chris Haft and Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"The way that we've sort of been inconsistent with the different facets of the game and to be one game under .500, I think we're in a good place," said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. "This was a hard-fought series. They celebrated their wins over us and to be two games down in the loss column and salvage a split, to see the life we had in the last inning, this was a big win for us."

Photo above via Justin Turner on twitter. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1900 Brooklyn Superbas outfielder Fielder Jones becomes the first modern day Dodger player to hit a grand slam. It was accomplished at Brooklyn's Washington Park. In 1982 the Dodgers traded Leo Hernandez to Baltimore for professional pinch-hitter Jose Morales. In 1985 Fernando Valenzuela set a major league record by extending his consecutive scoreless innings streak at the start of the season to 41 frames when he blanks San Diego for eight innings. The Padres would then score off Fernando in the ninth inning when Tony Gwynn hit a game winning homer to defeat the Dodgers, 1-0.
• Happy Birthday, Jim Poole!
  

Blog Kiosk: 4/13/2017 - Dodgers Links - Just Another Dodger Victory

So many good things happened for the Dodgers last night. To start things off, Andrew Toles belted a line-drive home run to right field (with the wind blowing in, mind you) to start the game and to give the Dodgers an immediate 1-0 lead. Per John Jackson at MLB.com:

"He threw it low and I hit it on a line, so the wind was no factor because it was so low," Toles said. "It was a line drive. The wind was definitely a factor [overall], though."

That early head start was buoyed by another fantastic start by oft-injured Brandon McCarthy. He is clearly back. Per Rowan Kavner at Dodger Insider:

“He did a really good job tonight, kept them off-balance, kept attacking them,” Grandal said. “He’s got a great sinker, obviously, it’s known around the league.”

McCarthy threw six scoreless innings, with three walks, four strike outs and just four singles. Lastly, the Dodgers relief staff continued their dominance. Ross Stripling, Luis Avilan and Kenley Jansen shut things down to earn a Dodgers victory, 2-0. BTW, let's not forget about Chase Utley's smarts. He came around to score on an error in the eight inning that was only made possible due to his hustle. The old man continues to show what he brings to the table -- intelligence, leadership and guile.

The above photo via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2017. Go here to check out more pics by Jon from yesterday game in Chicago. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1939 Yankees first baseman Lou Gehrig, during a spring game against the Dodgers, hit two homers. It would prove to be the last home runs he would ever hit. In 1954 Walter Alston makes his major league debut as the Dodgers manager. In 2009 second baseman Orlando Hudson hit for the "Cycle" against the Giants during the Dodgers home opener. He is the first Dodger to ever accomplish the feat at Dodger Stadium, and the first Dodger to do it in a nine-inning game since Gil Hodges in 1949. In 2012 Dodger starter Aaron Harang struck out nine consecutive Padre batters -- breaking the Dodgers franchise record of eight held by Johnny Podres. The Major League mark is at ten, and is held by Mets pitcher Tom Seaver in 1970.
• Happy Birthday, Kid Elberfeld, Ben Cantwell & Ed Amelung!
  

Blog Kiosk: 3/23/2017 - Dodgers Links - USA! USA! USA!

Last nights WBC Final was the first game this year that I've watch from start to finish, and I must say it was fantastic.  What a way to start the Baseball season.

As you know, Team USA defeated Team Puerto Rico to capture its very first WBC Championship.  It was glorious to watch and fun to celebrate an actual championship (albeit not a Dodger one) at our home turf.  Hopefully this is sign of things to come at Dodger Stadium.

Both photos above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2017.  Go here to check out more great pics taken by Jon from the WBC Final game.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1951 the Brooklyn Dodgers sign a 21-year lease with the City of Vero Beach to build their spring training facility at an old abandoned Naval base.  It would be known as Dodgertown.  In 2002 the Dodgers traded Jorge Nunez and Matt Herges to the Expos for Guillermo Mota and Wilkin Ruan.
• Happy Birthday, Barney Koch, Jerry Brooks, Joel Peralta & John Link!