Current and Former Dodgers' are Starting to Speak -- On Twitter

On Monday the Dodgers released what is likely to be their only statement related to the current scandal rocking the game. They said:

“All clubs have been asked by Major League Baseball not to comment on today’s punishment of the Houston Astros as it’s inappropriate to comment on discipline imposed on another club. The Dodgers have also been asked not to comment on any wrongdoing during the 2017 World Series and will have no further comment at this time.”

Clearly, we shouldn't expect to hear anything more from the ownership (and I assume the coaching staff) about the sign-stealing mess. That said, this edict does not extend to the players. Several current and former Dodgers' are raising their voice on twitter and it's worth making note of it.

Blog Kiosk: 1/24/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

The first day of the Dodgers Love L.A. Community Tour was on Monday, and to start things off was a brief visit by Justin Turner and Yasiel Puig to local area Coffee Bean's.  They greeted fans, served coffee and even posed for pictures.  Watch a couple videos featuring their visits via Dodger Blue (link here).

Today, Dodger Strength and Conditioning Coaches Brandon McDaniel, Travis Smith and Shaun Alexander will hold a fitness and health clinic 100 underserved young women from the New Village Girls Academy at Dodger Stadium.  Also, Trayce Thompson will host a movie night at the Dodger Lexus Dugout Club for Cedars-Sinai’s pediatric patients and their families.

Photo above of Justin Turner and the crew from Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf in West Hollywood via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2017.  Go here to check out more pics by Jon and Jill Weisleder taken from Day 1 of the Dodgers community tour.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History:  In 1963 the Dodgers acquired Don Zimmer in a trade with the Reds for a minor leaguer.  This is Don's second stint with the team; having originally been signed by them as an amateur in 1949 and rising up their ranks.  In 2006 the Dodgers signed free agent reliever and soon-to-be legend Joe Beimel.  In 2014 the Dodgers signed free agent utilityman Chone Figgins. 
• Happy Birthday, Neal Finn & Scott Kazmir!
  

Blog Kiosk: 12/14/2016 - Dodgers Links - Holt, Anderson and Jansen's Wedding

I am not sure if I've ever seen what the scoreboard looked like during Dodger games at the LA Coliseum.  So, when I came across the above pic I knew I had to make note of it.  Featured above is the Dodgers scoreboard from Game 5 of the 1959 World Series.  (eBay Auction Link)

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1954 the Dodgers signed amateur free agent Sandy Koufax to a contract - a $6,000 salary and $14,000 bonus.  This made Sandy a "bonus baby" (having a bonus over $4,000) and required the Dodgers to keep him on the Major League roster for two years.  As a result, the Dodgers would option Tommy Lasorda to the Montreal Royals.  In 1990 the Dodgers signed free agent outfielder Brett Butler to a four-year $13 million contract.
• Happy Birthday, John Anderson, Charlie Hargreaves, Chris Heisey & Bill Buckner!

Blog Kiosk: 9/21/2016 - Dodgers Links - Puig, Newcombe and Vin Scully

I was planning on saying a few words about last nights game but got distracted when I came across a a particular news article came out featuring the words and comments from the friends and colleagues of Vin Scully.  Per Jayson Starks article at ESPN:  From AJ Ellis:

"You can catch him (in the clubhouse) on Sunday mornings on the way to Mass. He comes in and gets coffee. (One Sunday,) Brandon (McCarthy) and I are the only two guys in the clubhouse. And Vin comes in and starts chatting. ... And all of a sudden his phone rings, and he says, 'Sorry, boys, excuse me.' He's always so polite. So he says, 'Yes, dear. Oh thank you for reminding me. Yes, dear.' (Then he says,) 'Gentlemen, if you would excuse me, today is one of my grandchildren's birthdays. We have a tradition in our family that I have to sing to her.' And he steps into the players' bathroom and you can hear him singing 'Happy Birthday' over the phone to his grandchild. Me and Brandon are looking at each other like, OK, this is unbelievable. Here's Vin Scully in his great baritone voice, singing 'Happy Birthday' as it echoes through the bathroom of the clubhouse."

It's hard to remember, since I've heard countless Scully stories over the years, but the one above might be my favorite of all time.  Thanks for sharing that AJ.  BTW, you should definitely check out the rest of Stark's article.  There are several more great comments.  Oh... And the Dodgers lost a close on to the Giants last night, 2-0.  Photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2016.  Go here to check out more great pics by Jon and Jill Weisleder from yesterdays game.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1934 the Dodgers were no-hit by Paul "Daffy" Dean of the Cardinals, 3-0.  His brother, Hall of Famer Dizzy Dean, pitched the first game of that days doubleheader, and kept the Dodgers hitless for eight innings.  Overall, the two brothers threw an 18-inning two-hit shutout against Brooklyn that day.

Blog Kiosk: 9/17/2016 - Dodgers Links - Anderson, Scully and Kenta Maeda

Kenta Maeda was brilliant enough to help the Dodgers defeat the Diamondbacks, 3-2.  Uncharacteristically wild, he went five arduous innings, recording six strike outs, three walks and one earned run with 94 pitches. It was enough, though, to help him earn his fifteenth victory of the season.  It also dropped the clubs "Magic Number" to just twelve games.  Via Doug Padilla at ESPN:

"He started to get a little better with his command, but he was just on the edges too much and missing with his fastball," manager Dave Roberts said. "With Kenta, you can tell. When he is getting ahead of guys with the fastball and then throwing the slider and is around the zone you know he has good rhythm. And he didn't have it [Friday] until the fourth inning. It was a grind for him."
...
"He still found a way, like he seemingly always does, to give us a chance to win a baseball game," Roberts said. "That's a sign of a great competitor, which Kenta is, and a winning pitcher. I don't know the win-loss, but Kenta, every single time he takes the mound he gives us a chance to win."

Maeda added more, via Ken Gurnick and Jake Rill at MLB.com:

"My command was off in general today and I wasn't able to get into a groove and put a lot of pressure on the other players to pick up the slack," said Maeda. "I felt okay overall, just didn't have my fastball command. Our team scored early in the game and that helped me."

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

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1912 Brooklyn outfielder and future Hall of Famer Casey Stengel made his Major League debut.  He collects four hits, drives in two runs and swipes a pair of stolen bases.  In 1979 Dodger catcher Joe Ferguson hit his 20th homer of the season against the Atlanta Braves, which gave the team their fifth player with at least 20 homers on the year for the first time in franchise history.  In 1981 Fernando Valenzuela ties a Major League record for shutouts at eight when he defeated the Atlanta Braves, 2-0.  In 1996 Hideo Nomo threw the Dodgers 20th no-hitter in franchise history.  He defeated the Colorado Rockies, 9-0.  Watch the last out of this game here.

Blog Kiosk: 9/15/2016 - Dodgers Links - #PuigMyTooth, Utley, Urias and Clayton Kershaw

That's the ace we know.

Clayton Kershaw came out to pitch his second game since landing on the DL, and showed us all that he's still the guy.  Per Doug Padilla at ESPN:

"It was more about getting back into that playing mode, that competition, and what we need to do to win," catcher Yasmani Grandal said. "So the first game was more of a kick-start, and this game was, 'All right, we're here, let's get it done.'"

Did he ever get it done. Yankees manager Joe Girardi wrapped it up succinctly: "Kershaw was Kershaw."

After the game he added more:

"I gave up a hit so there's a bad pitch there," he said. "But for the most part ... it's tough to be satisfied when you only pitch five innings. I guess really six. But with the rain delay and everything considered, it was OK. It was good."

Clayton was nearly perfect in his five innings pitched.  He gave up just one hit, walked none and struck out five Yankee batters with just 64 pitches.  Unfortunately, he didn't take home a win, but he did keep the Dodgers in contention long enough for them to pull out a 2-0 victory in the ninth inning.  A series of Yankee errors contributed to the only runs of the game.  You can listen to Kershaw speak about his evening with Alanna Rizzo here.

Photo above via SportsNet LA on twitter.  The Dodgers now sit five games above the Giants in the NL West.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1978 the Dodgers became the first club in Major League history to draw three million fans at home. The Dodgers entertained 47,188 fans with their 5-0 victory over the Atlanta Braves.

Blog Kiosk: 9/5/2016 - Dodgers Links - Puig, Kershaw, Bellinger and De Leon

That wasn't a bad debut for Jose De Leon yesterday.  He went a strong six innings, allowing four earned runs on six hits and no walks.  De Leon also struck out nine Padres batters.  Per Ron Cervenka at Think Blue LA:

“The line score doesn’t speak to how Jose pitched today,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters after the game. “Obviously the punch outs were great, but throwing strikes and holding base runners – picked a guy off – and even when there was the soft liner, the bunt base hit and the close play by [Travis] Jankowski that got away from him and scored a run, he kept his composure.”
...
“Remember, Jose has been a strikeout pitcher all his life,” said Jose M. De Leon, the young right-hander’s father who flew his family in from Puerto Rico for his son’s MLB debut. “But I didn’t expect that; to project that strikeout success that he had before to the big leagues. But nine strikeouts in six innings, I guess he’s going to keep doing what he has been doing all his life. He’s a strikeout pitcher.”

The rookie earned his first victory of his career and helped propel the Dodgers to a three game lead over the slumping Giants.  BTW, only two other Dodger pitchers have recorded more strike outs in their professional debut - Pedro Astacio and Kaz Ishii with ten each.  Furthermore, since 1913 only four other hurlers in the Major Leagues have recorded at least nine strike outs and zero walks in their debut.

On a side note, we also found out (via Ron Cervenka at Think Blue LA) that Yasiel Puig called his three0run home run in the third inning of yesterdays game:

“He called it, he actually called it,” De Leon said of Puig’s home run. “It’s actually like the third time this year that he’s called some shots. It’s amazing.”

As a result, De Leon shared a huge hug with Puig in the Dodgers dugout after his three-run blast.

“That guy has done it so many times that it just cracks me up,” he added.

Photos above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2016.  Go here to check out more pics by Jon and Juan Ocampo from yesterdays game.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History:  In 1908 Brooklyn Superbas (Dodgers) pitcher Nap Rucker throws a no-hitter against the Boston Braves at Washington Park.  In 1955 Don Newcombe beat the Phillies for his 20th win of the season and hit his seventh home run of the year - breaking a National League record for homers by a pitcher. 

Blog Kiosk: 8/31/2016 - Dodgers Links - Puig, Newcombe, Kershaw and Last Nights Rain Delay

After waiting over 2.5 hours they finally postponed last night game due to rain, so both teams will face off against each other in a doubleheader today.  The first game will be at 12:10 PT with Ross Stripling pitching for the Dodgers and Tyler Anderson pitching for the Rockies.  The second game is slated to begin at 5:10 PT with Rich Hill pitching for the Dodgers and Jeff Hoffman pitching for the Rockies.  This is the Dodgers first twin-bill of the season.

In commemoration of last nights rain out I made the above two fantasy Baseball cards using the 2007 Topps Baseball card design and photos shared by the @Dodgers on twitter.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History:  In 1950 Gil Hodges became the fourth Major Leaguer to hit four home runs in a single game.  He also tied a Major League record for total bases in a game with 17.  In 1959 Sandy Koufax struck out 18 Giants batters to establish a new MLB record for strike outs in a nine-inning game.  In 2010 the Dodgers traded for pitcher Jon Garland.
• Happy Birthday, Hideo Nomo and Tom Candiotti!

Blog Kiosk: 8/24/2016 - Dodgers Links - Buehler, Jackie Robinson Highway and Another Dodgers Victory

So much awesome last night.

The Dodgers extended their lead in the NL West to two games last night by defeating the Giants, 9-5.  Per Ken Gurnick and Chris Haft at MLB.com:

"It was a big team offensive effort," said (Adrian) Gonzalez. "We just had good at-bats throughout the middle of the lineup tonight. We struggled early in the year, but now we're doing our part."

And even though Kenta Maeda was far from his best, having uncharacteristically thrown two wild pitches and walking four in five innings, he did out duel an obviously flustered Madison Bumgarner.  The Dodgers knocked out nine hits against MadBum to score five during his five innings pitched.  Kenta's outing was highlighted by a key strike out that ended his evening in the fifth inning.

"For him to punch out Pence in the fifth, that was a fun sequence," said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. "That was a spot right there, I wanted him to get Pence. I felt that was his hitter."

Photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2016.  Go here to check out more pics taken by Jon and Jill Weisleder from yesterdays game.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers Baseball:  In 1941 the Dodger "SymPhony" band makes it debut at Ebbets Field.  In 1957 the Dodgers tied a Major League record by using eight pitchers in one game during an 13-3 loss against the Milwaukee Braves.  In 1960 Vin Scully famously had fans at Dodger Stadium wish third base umpire Frank Secory a happy birthday during the game.  In 1975 Davey Lopes stole a Major League record 38th consecutive base.  The streak also ended when he was caught stealing later on in the same game.
• Happy Birthday, Enrique "Kiké" Hernandez!

Blog Kiosk: 8/17/2016 - Dodgers Links - Utley's Unforgettable Evening in Philly

Last nights game was unreal.

Not only did it begin with an over minute long standing ovation for leadoff hitter Chase Utley, but it would later be eclipsed by an curtain call after a grand slam by the former Phillies hero in the seventh inning.  Via Doug Padilla at ESPN:

"It's completely overwhelming," Utley said in a postgame news conference. "The standing ovation my first at-bat is something I'll never forget. It was truly special. It really shows how passionate and how great the Philadelphia fan base is. It was probably one of the most nervous at-bats I'll ever have at any level. I was glad to get it over with, to be honest with you."

Per Evan Webeck and Todd Zolecki at MLB.com:

"I think it just goes to show you can change the uniform, but he's always going to be a Phillie at heart," (Ryan) Howard said. "He's always going to be a Phillie to everybody here. I thought it was great. I thought it was awesome. For the fans to give him a curtain call again, it shows what he was able to do here and the impact that he had here on the fans."

BTW, to go along with the shellacking of the Phillies, 15-5, the Dodgers leapfrogged over the Giants to take an half game lead. 

(graphic via @Dodgers on twitter)

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

• This Day in Dodger History:  In 1992 Dodger hurler Kevin Gross no-hits the Giants at Dodger Stadium, 2-0.  You can watch the last out of his no-hitter here.

Blog Kiosk: 7/29/2016 - Dodgers Links - Peters, Anderson and the Blue Gala

Above is a photograph of the Chavez Ravine, facing towards downtown, in the midst of being carved and shaved into Dodger Stadium, circa 1960.  The photo above via MLB Cathedrals on twitter.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History:  In 1983 Steve Garvey's consecutive-game streak ends at 1,207 when he is unable to play the second game of a doubleheader due to a dislocated thumb.  In 1996 Tommy Lasorda announced his retirement as manager of the Dodgers due to issues with his health. 
• Happy Birthday, Chad Billingsley and Chief Meyers!

Blog Kiosk: 7/15/2016 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

As a final goodbye to All-Star weekend I thought I'd put up this fantastic vintage photograph of Jackie Robinson congratulating Stan "the Man" Musial on the plate after hitting an homer in the first inning of the 1949 All-Star Game in Brooklyn.  The photo was originally tweeted by @OTBaseballPhotos.

The American League eventually bested the National League, 11-7.  Jackie was 1-4 with a walk, a double and three runs scored.  Pee Wee Reese went an unheralded 0-5 with a walk.  Gil Hodges batted 1-3 with a run scored.  Roy Campanella would go 0-2 with a walk.  Preacher Roe pitched a scoreless inning in relief.  Lastly, Don Newcombe took the loss, as he threw 2.2 innings, gave up two runs on three hits and recorded one walk.  He did not strike out a batter, though, Don did get an RBI on a sacrifice fly in the second inning.  Check out the boxscore here.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History:  In 1955 Dodgers hurler Don Newcombe hit his sixth home run of the season as a pitcher, tying a National League record.  He would eventually finish the year with seven home runs.  In 1995 rookie pitcher Hideo Nomo won his seventh straight decision in a game against the Florida Marlins.  In 2004 Eric Gagne set the Dodgers career mark for saves with 130 against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

2016 Topps Stadium Club - All the Dodgers Base Cards

Wow!

Topps officially released their 2016 Stadium Club Baseball card set today, and it's as magnificent as ever.  It's filled with fantastic photography that will make you smile and gaze in amazement.  This set is just beautiful.

Featured below are all of the Dodgers base cards.  Go here for a complete checklist.  Next week I should have photos of the inserts and variations that are available.

If I had to chose a favorite Dodger card from this set I would have to pick Joc Pederson.  He is posed in a very typical Baseball manner, but sports a mean scowl.  It makes me laugh in fear.

#13 Sandy Koufax                                   #43 Joc Pederson

#49 Brett Anderson                                 #69 Clayton Kershaw

2016 Topps Series 2 - The Dodgers Base and Variation Cards

Take a look at all the Dodgers base cards found in packs of 2016 Topps Series 2 below.  A complete checklist of the set can be found here.

Of special note are the three variation cards that exist.  Carl Crawford, Brett Anderson and Scott Van Slyke have cards showing them wearing Jackie Robinson Day (#42) jersey's. The photos for all three of them are from the 2015 season.

#377 Scott Kazmir

#423 Carl Crawford                                 #429 Kenta Maeda

Blog Kiosk: 6/3/2016 - Dodgers Links - Clayton Kershaw and Julio Urias

Julio Urias was better.  Unfortunately, better was not good enough.

Yesterday afternoon the Dodgers sent the 19-year old phenom out against the Cubs, and lost again.  This time, however, Urias lasted a full five innings.  Via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider:

“I felt good,” Urias told reporters after the game (via SportsNet LA). “My pitches were there. Overall I felt good, but those pitches I missed, those were the ones they were able to capitalize on. … Those pitches lacked control, and they connected on them.”

Overall, he threw 79 pitches, recorded four strike outs, walked one and coughed up five earned runs.  Glaringly, Urias also gave up three homers; including a towering drive by Kris Bryant that hit the left field video board.

“He left a few balls up, and they made him pay,” Dave Roberts said. “Julio is continuing to learn. I thought he threw the ball well early on.

“I thought the game was a lot slower for him. I think he might have been a bit frustrated by some of those flares, but I really believe that he handled himself well, with great composure and great mound presence.”

Listen to Julio speak about his second start here.  Photo at the top via @Dodgers on twitter.  Below are more links to check:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1989 the Dodgers played an 22 inning game at the Astrodome that lasted seven hours and fourteen minutes.  BTW, the Dodgers lost the game 5-4, John Shelby went a remarkable 0 for 10 at the plate, Fernando Valenzuela played first base and infielder Jeff Hamilton was the losing pitcher. 

Blog Kiosk: 3/10/2016 - Dodgers Links - Anderson, Hernandez and Tommy Lasorda

The Dodgers just unveiled the Don Newcombe bobblehead they'll be giving out to fans on Wednesday, June 8th against the Rockies.  This is the third of ten bobbles they've shared so far.  Go here to check out the other two: Clayton Kershaw and Dave Roberts.  The photos above via @Dodgers on twitter and the Dodgers Promotional schedule.

Below are more links to check out:

• When Tommy talks food you better listen.  Via Jeff Weiss at First We Feast, "How to Lunch Like Dodgers Savior Tommy Lasorda."

Q: How long have you been coming to Paul’s for?
A: About 50-something years. A friend of mine worked [in] produce around here, so he took me to Paul’s one day and I’ve been coming here since.

Q: I read somewhere that you brought Kirk Douglas here once.
A: I took Kirk Douglas and Jack Valenti, the head of the movie industry. Kirk Douglas looked at it and said, “Where are we gonna eat? This place?” I said, “No, we’re going to eat inside.” It’s not too nice a location.

• Video: Clayton Kershaw discusses the competitiveness inside the team and the way he’s approaching preseason play. (Link Here)
• Video:  Listen to Ron Cey on Clubhouse Chatter.  He talks about his career and playing at Washington State for legendary coach Bobo Brayton. (Link Here)
• Podcast:  Listen to Justin Turner on Love of Baseball.  He talks about his family's love of the Dodgers, his transition from utility to starter, his favorite baseball memory, and about Tommy.  (Link Here)
• Audio: Listen to Andre Ethier with David Vassegh on last nights Dodger Talk.  (Link Here)
• Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Dodgers' Anderson confident about rehab."

"He said Randy Johnson had two surgeries in the same place and he came back and he turned out all right," (Brett) Anderson said on Wednesday. "It makes it a little easier knowing a Hall of Famer had the same surgery twice and came back and pitched successfully. We have a lot of similarities -- left-handed, disk surgeries and an affinity for loud, heavy metal."

• Kiké Hernandez got a puppy, and it's as cute as can be.  One Nacion at ESPN has the story here.  BTW, the dogs name is Arizona.
• Adrian Gonzalez will play for Team Mexico during the upcoming WBC games, via David Vassegh on twitter:

Adrian Gonzalez officially on Team Mexico roster for Qualifier Round in Mexicali.  March 17-20 #WBC

— David Vassegh (@THEREAL_DV) March 9, 2016

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Blog Kiosk: 3/5/2016 - Dodgers Links - Lee, Howell and Adrian's Bet

Photo above of Manny Mota and his little balloon via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2016.  Go here to check out more pics by Jon from yesterday.

Below are more links to check out:

• Awesome!  I want to see this so bad.  Via One Nación on ESPN, "A-Gon proposes friendly bet the Dodgers will make playoffs."  

@Buster_ESPN so no @Dodgers? How about a friendly bet? We make playoffs you do a @BBTN segment in full @Dodgers uniform.

— Adrian Gonzalez (@Adrian_ElTitan) March 4, 2016

• Topps has signed up Kenta Maeda, so his autograph will be appearing in their Baseball cards very soon.  In fact, Blowout Buzz shares a pic of a Topps Tribute autograph card on their blog (link here).  See it on the right.
• Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Dodgers tab Lee to start in Anderson's spot."

The Dodgers still consider Brandon Beachy and Mike Bolsinger the early front-runners to replace Anderson in the rotation, but with an entire spring slate remaining, there is time for a full competition that includes Lee, Ross Stripling (who also pitches Sunday), Jose De Leon and Carlos Frias, among others.

• Video: Go behind the scenes for an exclusive look into the team’s first full squad practice and first BP session of the season. (Link Here)
• Via Andy McCullough at the LA Times, "J.P. Howell and Turner Ward bury the hatchet over 2013 Dodgers-Diamondbacks brawl."

"I just wanted to clear things up," Ward told Howell when they connected a day after the initial message, "so you don't get me in the clubhouse when we get there."

Howell found himself laughing. Ward sounded so "gentle" over the phone, his soft Alabama drawl offering a contrast to the image cast by his stern eyes and lantern jaw.

"I'm like, 'Hey, I'm hoping you don't want a rematch,'" Howell said. "Because I think if we went 1-on-1, he's a big boy. I liked the atmosphere a lot better during the brawl than I do 1-on-1 with that guy."

• Via Bill Slane at MLB.com, "Spring full of lessons for Dodgers prospect De Jong."

"Not so much what to do on your start day but what to do between them to get ready for your start day," he said. "We all know how to pitch, but to do the preparation and the little things right to get yourself prepared for that start is what I'm trying to learn from these older guys."

• Jim Callis, Jonathan Mayo and Mike Rosenbaum at MLB.com, share their rankings for best minor league systems in Baseball (Link Here).  The Dodgers #1.

Shortstop Corey Seager, baseball's top prospect, and left-hander Julio Urias, the game's second-best pitching prospect, give the Dodgers a fine head start. But they rank No. 1 on this list because their depth of talent runs so much deeper than it did a year ago. Thanks to breakout players (right-hander Jose De Leon, first baseman Cody Bellinger), fast-developing 2014 draftees (righty Grant Holmes, outfielder Alex Verdugo) and products of a nine-figure 2015 international spending spree (righty Yadier Alvarez, outfielders Yusniel Diaz and Starling Heredia), this system is loaded.

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Blog Kiosk: 3/4/2016 - Dodgers Links - Wood, Roberts and Brett Anderson

Yesterday was the start of something new for the Dodgers.  They've got a new skipper at the helm and a renewed optimism that will hopefully push them over the hump that has gotten in the way the past few years.  Whatever issues and problems that ailed them has surely been washed away.

As you know, it was the first official spring game of the new season, and the good guys walked away with win.  Not that it's all that important.  After all, spring is for working out the kinks, not for checking the standings.  Via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider:

“There were a lot of good things (today),” Dave Roberts said. “We talk a lot about winning baseball games, but it’s about winning the right way. Today, we look at the pitching, the defense, the at-bats we put out there, the baserunning, that’s how we (want to) play.”

Featured in the photo above is new Dodger skipper Dave Roberts with former Dodger and current White Sox manager Robin Ventura, via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2016.  Go here to check out more pics from Jon from yesterday.  Below are more links to check out:

Blog Kiosk: 3/3/2016 - Dodgers Links - Puig, Ryu and Brett Anderson

Ahhh!... There's nothing like the look and smell of fresh leather.  Take a look at AJ Ellis' brand new mitt -- a custom model job from Wilson.  Pic via AJ Ellis on twitter.

Below are more links to check out:

• The injury bug just doesn't want to stop.  Brett Anderson is headed for back surgery due to an bulging disk, via a tweet by Ken Gurnick.  His surgery will be today.

Anderson has bulging disk. Out 3-5 months.

— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) March 3, 2016

Via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider:

“I was surprised — I was shocked,” (Dave) Roberts said. “Talking to him two days ago and again yesterday morning, he just thought it’s a couple-day thing that would subside.”

“I haven’t talked to him since yesterday, but I’m certain he’s disappointed. He felt coming into Spring Training he was in fantastic shape and had a great winter, and so for this to happen, I’m sure he’s very disappointed.”

• Eric Stephen at True Blue LA has the Spanish radio broadcast schedule for Spring Training.
• Video:  The Dodgers newest pitcher offers his first reactions after joining the team for training for the first time. (Link Here)
• Video: Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner talks to Alanna Rizzo about his expected absence during the first week of the Cactus League. Turner is recovering from knee surgery.  (Link Here)
• Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Roberts praises Puig for energy, outlook."

"He's been fantastic," Roberts said. "He's been healthy, he feels good, his energy, his outlook on things related to teammates has been great. We are friends, I'm friends with all of my players. You've got to have that trust with a manager, a coach, a player. Absolutely, I consider him a friend."

• This isn't the best of news.  Hopefully it's just a minor setback.  Via Gurnick at MLB.com, "Ryu to rest after feeling shoulder discomfort."

"We're just backing off because he felt something, but this is all part of our cautious plan to bring him back slowly," said Roberts. "It's not a setback."

• I love hearing about vintage Baseball card discoveries.  Via Mark Townsend at Big League Stew, "Family discovers seven rare Ty Cobb cards possibly worth $1M."  I should add that these cards are truly rare, and their actual originals are still a mystery.  They are believed to be a part of the vaunted T206 set (since it's the exact same design and front), but that is far from confirmed.  After all, no other cards from that set feature that unique "ad back."  Nevertheless, even with the immediate increase in supply, I suspect they will still command a huge premium.

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Dodgers Notes from Spring Training: Full-Squad Workout #6

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.

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

(Ellis with the catcher signs, via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2016)

MARCH MADNESS: The Dodgers held their sixth full-squad workout of Spring Training today with some team defense work (pickoffs and rundowns) and live batting practice. Los Angeles, in its eighth season training in Arizona, kicks off Cactus League play Thursday, March 3 against the White Sox.

GETTING IN THE RHYTHM: Chris Hatcher, Brett Anderson, Ross Stripling, Luis Avilan, Zach Lee and Chase DeJong all threw live BP today, while Scott Kazmir, Pedro Baez, Louis Coleman, Mike Bolsinger, Jharel Cotton, Jacob Rhame and Yaisel Sierra all threw regular bullpens.

• Anderson, 28, enters his eighth big league season after serving as a reliable starter for the Dodgers in his first season with the club in 2015. He posted a 10-9 record with a 3.69 ERA in a career-high 31 starts for Los Angeles and also finished with career highs in innings pitched (180.1) and quality starts (18). He led Major League qualifiers with a 66.7 groundball percentage last season and forced 23 groundball double plays, which ranked eighth most among starting pitchers in the senior circuit.

(Yaisel Sierra's first bullpen session, pic via Jon SooHoo on Dodgers twitter)

FIRST IMPRESSIONS: Newly acquired right-handed pitcher Yaisel Sierra participated in his first Spring Training workout with the club today, including throwing his first official bullpen of the spring. Sierra, 24, was signed by the Dodgers to a six-year contract last Sunday and pitched five seasons in Cuba’s Serie Nacional with Holguin (2010-14) and Sancti Spiritus (2012), going 16-21 with 25 saves and a 4.23 ERA in 131 games (25 starts). Sierra, who was ranked No. 13 on Baseball America’s Top 20 Cuban prospects list, pitched for the country’s gold-medal winning national team at the 2014 Central American and Caribbean Games. Sierra will wear No. 70.

MIC CHECK: Dodgers broadcasters Fernando Valenzuela and Pepe Yñiguez arrived in Camelback Ranch yesterday, while Charley Steiner arrived to Spring Training earlier today, as they prepare to call the first Cactus League game on Thursday, March 3 against the White Sox. Steiner, a four-time Emmy Award winner, is entering his 12th season as play-by-play announcer for the Dodgers and will primarily call the action from AM 570 LA Sports. The 17-year Major League veteran and legendary Dodger, Valenzuela enters his second season calling games on SportsNet LA in Spanish alongside Yñiguez, who enters his 18th season with the Dodgers.

(Josh Ravin, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2015)

GET WELL SOON: Right-handed reliever Josh Ravin was involved in an automobile accident yesterday and broke his left radius. His surgery was scheduled for today. We wish Josh a speedy recovery!  (You can take a look at his broken arm here)

Thank you all for the well wishes!
It's definitely a tough break... ; )

— Josh Ravin™ (@FreshSqueezed22) March 1, 2016

THE BEGINNING: On this date in 2009, the Dodgers played their first-ever game at Camelback Ranch against the Chicago White Sox, with right-handed pitcher Hiroki Kuroda taking the mound and throwing the first-ever pitch at CBR. The club lost, 3-2, to their neighbors, who share one of the largest stadiums in the Cactus League.

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *