Blog Kiosk: 4/18/2015 - Dodger Links - The Bubble Machine, Hatcher and Daniel Corcino

I just noticed the above photo of one of the Dodger bubble machines used last season by the Dodgers.  Apparently, it is now retired for good as it was auctioned off at the Dodger Foundation Gala held the other night.

From what I understand, there were several different bubble machines used last season so fans shouldn't be too worried that it's legacy has been diminished.  Instead, you should be grateful that it was auctioned off to the highest bidder for a great cause.  Besides, bubbles are not entirely disappearing from Dodger Stadium.  A couple weeks ago I mentioned that Gazillion Bubbles was recently named the “Official Bubbles of the Los Angeles Dodgers” for the 2015 MLB season, and they will be making their first visit tomorrow at Viva Los Dodgers.

Below are some links to check out:

• ICYMI, the Dodgers called up Adam Liberatore from AAA to join the club in Colorado for yesterday's game.

The Dodgers have recalled LHP Adam Liberatore from Triple-A. He’ll be with the team tonight vs. Colorado.
— Pedro Moura (@pedromoura) April 17, 2015

• Via Ron Cervenka at Think Blue LA, "Chris Hatcher is back after hitting small speed bump."

“I wouldn’t necessarily say that I’ve done anything [mechanically], my stuff’s always been there, it’s just how to use it,” said Hatcher after Tuesday night’s exciting come-from-behind 6-5 win over the Seattle Mariners. “A little more confident in it tonight. I didn’t go right after guys with the fastball, I mixed it up a little bit more. When you throw somewhat hard and you’re mixing your split [finger fastball] with your slider, it’s a different look. Everything was good tonight, I like the way it came out.”

• The Dodgers made another move.  Per a press release, they have claimed right-handed pitcher Daniel Corcino from Cincinnati and designated left-handed pitcher Ryan Dennick for assignment. Eric Stephen at True Blue LA tells us a bit about him.
• Oscar Martinez at Lasorda's Lair compares and contrast the comments made by Magic and Ice Cube regarding TWC; "Magic Johnson And Ice Cube Weigh in on the Dodger's TV Fiasco."
• BTW, Oscar is an avid collector and maintains his own card collector blog called, "All Trade Bait, All the Time."  He currently has a new post up where he shares his visit to the Institute For Baseball Studies at Whittier College.  Go here to check it out.  Oscar shares some fantastic photos of some vintage 1960's era glasses a patron had just dropped off.
• Hanley doing Hanley things.  Via Chris Cwik at Big League Stew, "Hanley Ramirez hit a ball so hard that he put a hole in the outfield wall."

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Official Bubbles are coming to Dodger Stadium

Have no fear, folks!  Bubbles are coming back.

And I don't mean the celebratory soapy blobs often found emanating from the dugout last year.  Instead, you will find bubbles floating around Dodger Stadium due to a recent agreement making Gazillion Bubbles the “Official Bubbles of the Los Angeles Dodgers” for the 2015 MLB season.

Yeah, they did that.

From what I understand, Gazillion will activate a "Foam Party" at every Sunday pregame Viva Los Dodgers event this year, and host bubble parties at the kids' zone at Dodger Stadium on select days.  Apparently, a Gazillion Bubble-blowing car and a giant Monsoon bubble machine will be making appearances.  

You read that right, they have a car that blows bubbles!

Anyway, there is no word yet on if there will be a branded Dodger bubble machine available, but one can only hope.

BTW, Gazillion will also host four separate giveaways (April 19th, April 29th, May 2nd & June 5th) this season.  Exact details have yet to be released.  I understand, though, that they'll give stuff away during the Viva Los Dodgers events.

(The Gazillion Bubble-blowing car)

Below is a video Gazillion provided of their Monsoon bubble machine.  That thing is huge.

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Blog Kiosk: 9/29/2014 - Dodger Links - Dodgers Win Five in a Row

The Dodgers finish off the 2014 regular season in grand fashion - winning their last five games in a row. It is nice to have this kind of momentum going into the playoffs.

In the 10 to 5 win over the Rockies on Sunday the Dodgers hit three home runs; including a two-run homer by Kemp and a three-run home run by Adrian Gonzalez.  The third dinger was hit by Roger Bernadina; who surprised everyone with a 434 foot moon shot to right field.  Starting pitcher Zack Greinke pitched well in his five innings.  He allowed just four hits, one earned run and struck out six. Per an AP report on ESPN:

"I felt good," he said. "I used all the pitches; they all had some crispness to them. I didn't give up too many hard-hit balls, so that was the goal."

The highlight of the afternoon, though, was the dramatic changes made to the Dodgers coaching staff.  Clayton Kersahw took over for Rick Honeycutt as the pitching coach, Hanley Ramirez took over for Tim Wallach as the bench coach and Juan Uribe took over for Don Mattingly as the manager.  By the results, I think it's fair to say that they did a great job in their new positions.  The pic above features Uribe wearing a Lasorda uniform and Hanley wearing Wallach's uniform, via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014.  Go here to see more photos from yesterday.

The playoffs begin for the Dodgers on Friday against the Cardinals.  Adam Wainwright is expected to start against Clayton Kersahw.  Below are some links to check out:

• Eric Stephen at True Blue LA shares a quote from manager Juan Uribe:

"You think you can do it and it might be easy, but now I can say managing isn't that easy," Uribe said. "I don't want to be a manager [after I retire]."

• Via  Steve Hymon at the Source, "Dodger Stadium Express will run from Union Station and Harbor Gateway for the playoffs."
• Via Michael Lananna at MLB.com, "Dodgers forgo BP, may try that tactic in postseason."

"We had pretty good success in Chicago with our energy, I felt like, without the BP," Mattingly said. "The BP gets to be one of those things that you do every day, every day, every day, and it kind of wears you down mentally. So really no BP has kind of been a mental break for us, I feel like."

• Via Jill Painter Lopez at Fox Sports, "Dodgers' Kershaw set to enter wonderful world of fatherhood."  The Baby Kershaw is expected to arrive in January.
• Joe Torre talks a bit about why he briefly banned the bubble machine, via Bill Shaikin at The LA Times.

"There was no particular rule against it," he said. "I just felt that was taking stuff onto the field. That was different than what was going on in the stands — the guy sliding down in Milwaukee, the [Phillie] Phanatic. Something that was happening on the field, I just didn't feel it was appropriate.

"But there was no rule written against it. So that's why it was out for one day and wasn't out for another day."

• Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Ryu encouraged by 40-pitch mound session."

"It went very well. I didn't feel any discomfort in my shoulder," said Ryu, who hasn't pitched in a game since leaving after one inning Sept. 12 in San Francisco. "Very positive result."

• Via Bill Plunkett at the OC Register, "Magic: "We're going to be on TV next season"

“I think we’re going to be on TV next season. I really do,” Johnson said before Sunday’s regular-season finale at Dodger Stadium. “Just keep pushing them to make that happen. … They saw the response of the fans when they were on TV. Everybody wanted to watch the Dodgers.”

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A Foam Party Celebration - The Many Iterations of the Dodger Bubble Machine in Fantasy Card Form

In honor of last night's division winning victory and the good luck charm that got us there, I thought I would share some fantasy Baseball card creations I've been putting together in honor of the vaunted Dodger Bubble Machine.

My memories aren't entirely clear but from what I remember it first came into being in early June, and other than a brief respite in NL Commissioner jail it has traveled consistently with the Dodgers ever since.  If anybody recalls the exact day or game it made its first appearance please let me know.  I think it's important, for the sake of Dodger Blue history, to know these kind of things.  Or maybe I'm just a weirdo with an unhealthy obsession with bubbles.  Anyway, the Bubble Machine has been with us through it all and below is my way of honoring it.  Check out my fantasy Baseball card creations below.

As you know the Bubble Machine has come in many different forms.  After all, the rough and tumble Major League clubhouse would surely be too taxing for an inexpensive toy contraption like this.  So, there have been many different Dodger Bubble Machines.  I have done my best to capture them all.

The first fantasy card below uses a photo that was tweeted by the @Dodgers right after it was unofficially banned by the NL Commissioner in early August.  The team wanted to let us all know that it had been all packed up and ready to go to Milwaukee.

The below fantasy card is of the Bubble Machine featured in the box above.  The pic was shared by ESPN reporter Beto Duran on twitter, and taken just before it's banning.  I used the vintage 1968 Topps Baseball card design.

Here's another version of the Dodger Bubble Machine from late August.  The original photo was taken by Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014.

I believe this next Bubble Machine (on the bottome left) is one of the earliest version, if not THE earliest versions.  The original photo was taken in Detroit and shared on CBS (Leon Halip/Getty Images) in early July.  The card on the right is from late September and was shared by SportsNet LA on twitter.  As you can see, by this time they started painting the Dodger logo onto the Bubble Machine.

The next series of fantasy cards are "In Action" cards, so to speak.

The below card uses a photo taken during the recent roadtrip to Chicago, taken by Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014.  I'm not entirely sure who is holding it up, but I do know they are celebrating one of AJ Ellis' two home runs on Friday, September 19th.

Here is something different.  The Bubble Machine just doesn't fill itself up.  That's the job of Dodger Clubhouse Manager Mitch Poole.  Photos below were taken by Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014 in mid-September.

Here are some classic "In Action" photos using the vintage 1972 & 1973 Topps Baseball card design.  You might not see the Bubble Machine, but you sure do see its bubbles.

(Pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014)

(Pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014)

(Pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014)

(Pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014)

And how could I forget to put up an "In Action" card featuring Clayton Kershaw celebrating his no-hitter (card on the left).  This photo was taken by Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014.  On the right is Adrian Gonzalez fiddling with it in late June; also taken by Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014.

These last two fantasy cards have nothing to do with the Bubble Machine.  I just loved the photo (taken by Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014) and had to incorporate it into a couple of cards.  I call it "Ryu & Turner's Ice Party."

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Sunday Dodger Videos: Rookie Hazing, AJ Ellis and Adrian Gonzalez

Here are this Sunday's Dodger videos.

Check out this fun video.

Video Link:

ICYMI:  Watch the Dodger youngsters get hazed - cosplay style.

Video Link:

Listen to Jonah Keri as he speaks with Dodgers catcher A.J. Ellis about Clayton Kershaw's dominance and the origins of the bubble machine, and to ‘Orange County Register' writer Pedro Moura about the surging Angels.

Video Link:

From Faith and Family day at Dodger Stadium in August, listen to Adrian Gonzalez give his testimony to the crowd.

Video Link:

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Blog Kiosk: 8/9/2014 - Dodger Links - Some Odds and Ends

Newest Dodger Roberto Hernandez was better than described.  After a shaky first inning that saw him give up two early runs, he got out the next 17 straight batters.   Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, Roberto said,

"I was a little bit nervous today. The first inning, I tried too much, but I forget about that. After that I kept the ball down, got ahead in the count."

Overall, he pitched six innings, struck out five, gave up three hits and walked none.  Unfortunately, the team couldn't preserve the small lead entrusted to them.  A comedy of errors, typical of a Baseball, ruined that.  Justin Turner, who had just gotten into the game in the 7th inning, made a spectacular play on a rising liner off the bat of Aramis Ramirez.  Then, the proverbial bubble popped.

A certain double play ball skipped past the glove of Justin Turner, then a little nubber, two errors by Turner and a 2-run single sealed the door.  The Brewers took a commanding 6 to 3 lead over the Dodgers and never looked back. 

Oy Vie!  Baseball sure is a funny game.  Just when you thought you had it beat, it decides to throw you a curve to keep you humble.  This is just one of those games you just have to forget.  Photo at the very top via @Dodgers on twitter.

• At least this highlight from last nights game exist, via the Dodgers on tumblr.  Watch Puig's check-swing broken bat.

• Via Bill Plunkett at the OC Register, "Dodgers' bubble machine creates an MLB soap opera."

“Does that thing bother me? No, it doesn’t bother me,” Mattingly said. “I’m not saying I like it. But other teams are allowed to ride a stick horse down their dugout. Ours is no different. Really – Tampa rides a stick horse down the dugout. What’s the difference?

“Everybody’s got something.”

• Via Tom Bartsch at Sports Collectors Digest, "Yasiel Puig Signs Exclusive Deal With Fanatics Authentic."
• Via Eric Nusbaum of Vice Sports, "Of Anaheim: Why the Angels will always be an afterthought."

Perhaps this is the Angels' problem, and the root of their repeated identity crises: They are too suburban for their own good, ruined as it were, by their location among a thousand neighborhoods with names that start with Rancho and Laguna. The Dodgers have been shaped by the city around them. They have become a cosmopolitan enterprise, headlined over the years by a diverse cast of base-stealers and left-handed starters and international phenoms. But the Angels have no city to shape them. Orange County is contrived, nothing more than a nice place to live, a successful real estate deal. But comfortable living does not necessarily make for compelling local culture.

• Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Rojas impressing Mattingly with defense."

"What about Rojas?" Mattingly asked. "Nobody asked me about Rojas. He saved four or five hits."

• Bob Timmermann at the Portable Griddle is putting together a list of Dodger players who had a different name than what they had with the Dodgers.

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Blog Kiosk: 8/8/2014 - Dodger Links - Beckett Likely Headed to DL and Colletti Looking for Deals

I hardly think of the Angels as a rival.  Still, it's nice to beat the crosstown wannabe LA team in their own home in Orange County.  No doubt we had them running in fear as the streets were awash in blood blue.

Hyun-Jin Ryu was great again last night.  He pitched seven strong innings, gave up just two hits and recorded four strike outs.  Ryu mixed up his pitches nicely, but often got behind in the count to the Angel batters.  Fortunately, his off-speed pitch was on key, so he was able to fool many of them at the plate.

On top of that, the Dodger Bubble Machine is back after a short hiatus.  Apparently, an MLB higher-up (cough, Torre, cough) made mention to the team that we couldn't have that in the dugout, but the ensuing and rapidly growing chorus of boo's and mocking gestures changed that view real quick.  The Bubble Machine is now an official member of the team, and it's only a matter of time before it joins the 40-man roster.  Until then, it will be packaged incognito-like with the rest of the Dodger hardware.  The photo at the very top is of the famous toy, via the @Dodgers on twitter.

Now, here are some more Dodger links to check out.

• Josh Beckett just might be done for the season.  Via Bill Shaikin of the LA Times on twitter, he recently had an MRI and is expected to go on the DL - recently traded for pitcher Roberto Hernandez will take his spot on the roster.

Josh Beckett's locker in Anaheim is cleared out. He had MRI (hip) & is expected to go on DL for Roberto Hernandez, who starts tomorrow.
— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) August 7, 2014

• Via Dan Arritt at ESPNLosAngeles.com, "Colletti keeps eye out for another pitcher."

"As I've said many times, you better have enough of everything," Colletti said Thursday from the dugout as the Dodgers took batting practice before their series and regular-season finale against the Los Angeles Angels. 

• Here's an under the radar signing.  Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Dodgers sign Bruce Billings to minor league contract."
• Wow!  Check out this Jell-O shot creation made to look like Dodger Stadium, here.  I feel drunk just looking at it.  This photo is via /u/HoserUSC on Reddit.
• BTW, Eric Stephen at True Blue LA lets us know on twitter that once heralded pitching prospect Chris Reed has been promoted to AAA-Albuquerque.  BTW, you should check a scouting report on Reed by Chris Blessing at RotoScounting, here.

Dodgers promoted Chris Reed to Triple-A @AbqTopes
— Eric Stephen (@truebluela) August 7, 2014

• Ben Lindbergh at Grantland writes about the myth that pitching wins championships.  Fascinating stuff.

So why doesn’t the quality of a team’s top three starters or its ace register as significant? For one thing, the differences between teams are compressed in the playoffs, relative to the regular season: Teams with terrible staffs don’t make it to October, so the gulf between the best- and worst-pitching playoff teams isn’t as stark as we’re used to seeing during the season’s first six months. Perhaps more importantly, there’s more than one way to win baseball games, and even under an expanded playoff format, teams don’t get to October without doing something well. A team with an inferior pitching staff often makes up for its weakness on the mound by being better on offense.

• WooHoo!  Kings Hall of Famer and current VP of the team Luc Robitaille is getting a statue of himself at The Staples Center, via Jon Rosen of the LA Kings Insider.

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Free the Dodger Bubble Machine! UPDATE! We Won!

This is probably the most inane thing to happen to the Dodgers all year, but ya know... When it's a lazy hump-day afternoon, I need something to keep me going.

Ryan Walton of Valley Bay News caused quite a stir (at least I think it was him who first brought this to the attention of the masses) on twitter this morning when he tweeted this:

Word on the street is that the Dodgers bubble machine has been shut down by MLB.
— Ryan Walton (@RyanWaltonVBN) August 6, 2014

And with that, every fun-filled Dodger fan from coast to coast had something to say.  After all, when the MLB shuts down fun in the clubhouse a passionate fanbase like the Dodgers will react.  And react they did.

MLB banned the stupid Dodger bubble machine? Don't they have drugs and other shit to worry about?
— Evan Maas (@EvanMaas) August 6, 2014

Language, Evan... Language!

@mlb no dodger bubble machine?  Get over yourselves
— Daniel Budd (@DuBuddman) August 6, 2014

@DodgersNation They should put bubble machines all around Dodger Stadium now
— Andrew LePuig (@andyroo520) August 6, 2014

Austin Handler gets down to the point.

The MLB has banned the Dodger's bubble machine, they also banned fun and are working on banning smiles.
— Austin Handler (@Austin_Handler) August 6, 2014

And our fake GM had something to say.

MLB can't ban our bubble machine! I signed it to a 3-year contract.
— DodgerzGM (@DodgerzGM) August 6, 2014

There's no word yet if this rumor is true, but considering the recent disappearance of the soapy Dodger good luck charm something definitely is afoot. 

Frankly, this is small tomato's compared to the soon-to-be-breaking expansion of the Biogenesis steroid scandal; which fascinates me to no end, but still within their rights to regulate.  On the other hand, it seems like this action is a far overreach for the boys in the NY offices.

BTW, the missing Dodger bubble machine has just started a new twitter account in hopes that he doesn't disappear from our collective memories.  Go here (@LABubbleMachine) to follow and say hello.

Hat Tip: Vincent Samperio at Dodgers Nation

UPDATE:  We've won!  The bubble machine is coming back!  Via a tweet from LA Times reporter Bill Shaikin:

I'm told the bubble machine will be back in #Dodgers dugout tonight.
— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) August 6, 2014

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Dee Gordon met with some Hopeful Young Ballplayers on Monday

During his Monday off day, Dee Gordon came down to The Refinery in Torrance to meet with a group of about 50 kids between the ages of 5 to 12 years old to talk Baseball and the Dodgers.  No doubt, this would be a thrill of a lifetime for them.  After all, how often do you get a chance to meet an All-Star?

Fortunately, Blue Heaven reader Amy was kind enough to pass along some photos and some of the Q&A's from the event.  Considering the ages of these hopeful burgeoning ballplayers you knew their questions would be entertaining.  Check them out below:

What's your favorite position to play?
Dee: I love shortstop, but I went to the All Star's for second base, so I guess I gotta say second base!

Who is your best friend on the team?
Dee: Chone Figgins, I've looked up to him and learned a lot.

Who is faster.. you or Puig?
Dee: ME!

Why do you guys have a bubble machine in the dugout?
Dee: Well, last season Matt Kemp was supposed to throw a foam party after we won the divison and he never did, so now any time someone hits a home run we pull out the bubbles!

What's it like to be a small guy in the majors?
Dee: (Lifts up his sleeve and flexes) I'm not small!

What do you eat for breakfast?
Dee: Bacon and eggs!

Who is your biggest inspiration?
Dee: My family, My dad

Who is your biggest competition?
Dee: No one (with a big smile and a laugh)

Gordon then signed some autographs for the kids.

It can't be emphasized enough how important interactions like this is.  A child sees someone like Dee Gordon and immediately recognizes him as a hero and leader.  So, having him spend some time with them really makes an impression. And when you consider everything Gordon's been through in his career it's even more important.  He can speak about the will to succeed, the desire to get better and the perseverance to tackle all obstacles.  Dee Gordon is an example of how hard work does pay off - you just have to keep going.

BTW, The Refinery is a Baseball and Softball academy that teaches kids of all ages the fundamentals.  Hopefully, a visit from a star like Dee Gordon, who has seen more peaks and valleys than most, can take them to the next level.  Go here to check out their website.

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