Blog Kiosk: 1/9/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Congrats, Ryu!

He and Bae Ji-hyun tied the knot this past weekend in a private ceremony in Seoul. Photo above via Dan Kurtz on twitter. Per the Korean Herald:

“The year 2018 will have a bigger meaning than any other year,” they said. “We’ll be warm companions for each other, a husband and a wife who always think positive, and two people who will give their best for each other.”

Below are more links to check out:

• Happy Birthday, Ray French, John Hall, Stan Javier, Harley Payne, George Crable, Ivan de Jesus, Ferrell Anderson& Otis Nixon!

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: 6/16/2016 - Dodgers Links - Maeda Recovering, Billingsley Ailing and Clayton Kershaw

Although far from perfect, Clayton Kershaw was still good enough to earn a Dodgers victory.  (Of course, a less than perfect Kersahw is still better than 95% of pitchers in the league)  He struck out eleven DBacks and walked only one in the 3-2 win.  Via Ken Gurnick and Jake Rill at MLB.com:

"Clayton saw we needed to win the series and came with the usual intensity and intent," manager Dave Roberts said. "Clayton was Clayton. For us to get that win was not only good for him, but for us."

Fortunately, a bit of luck came our way during this game.  With the Dodgers leading 3-1 and Kershaw on the mound, Paul Goldschmidt hit a deep liner to left field that barely missed going over the fence by inches.  Instead of tying the game with a two-run jack, Goldy was only able to bring Arizona within one run of tying the game.  (Watch the play here)

BTW, the Dodgers three runs all come on a homer by Scott Van Slyke against lefty Patrick Corbin.  (Watch it here)

"Looking for something in I could pull, and he gave it to me," Van Slyke said. "Big league pitchers are good, and you come back and, like, wow, you got to adjust yourself. I know I can hit any lefty if I'm focused and have my swing down."

Photo at the top via Jon SooHoo on the Dodgers twitter.  Go here to check out more pics from Jon from yesterdays game.  Below are more links to check:

• This Day in Dodgers History:In 1958 Don Newcombe is traded by the Dodgers to Cincinnati.  In 1963 rookie Nick Willhite became the first pitcher in LA Dodgers history to throw a shutout in his Major League debut.  He defeated the Cubs, 2-0.  It would be 29 years before another rookie would do the same - Pedro Astacio.
• Happy Birthday, Jonathan Broxton!

Blog Kiosk: 5/14/2016 - Dodgers Links - Haren, Erskine and Baseball Voodoo Helps Puig

Ballplayers will go to just about any length to get their bats going right.

Case in point, check out the photo above tweeted by Yasiel Puig.  It features a reverent Kiké Hernández standing over his bats.  Puig wrote (likely Kiké wrote):

Electric stim machine for treatment on bats. Trying to extract hits. Puig's bat is next.

I say, do whatever works.  BTW, Kiké also Instagrammed the following:

Kids; make sure that if there's something wrong with your body, you let a trainer know. I learned the hard way, but now my bats are getting treatment and they should be better in the upcoming days! Thanks to everybody for the prayers and good wishes! Love y'all!

So, what happened?  Did the voodoo work?  Why yes, it did!  Yasiel broke out after just having three hits over the past 24 at-bats.  Last night he recorded three hits; including a run scoring single and a home run in the sixth inning.  No doubt, Kiké Hernández's magic worked out.  Via a follow up tweet by Puig after the game:

I think the electric stim machine gave result thanks @kikehndez for the idea

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

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1981 Fernando Valenzuela improved his season record to 8-0 with a complete game victory over the Expos at Dodger Stadium.  In 2011 the Dodgers, for the first time since 1914, were defeated after giving up only one hit.  Chad Billingsley gave up a double in the second inning to Stephen Drew of the Diamondbacks; who eventually scored on a failed pick-off play at second.  Jamey Carroll had forgotten to cover the base, so the throw went into centerfield.

Blog Kiosk: 8/6/2015 - Dodger Links - Pederson, Colletti and Chad Billingsley

A special guest arrived at the Dodgers clubhouse in Philadelphia yesterday.  Little League Baseball All-Star Mo’ne Davis visited with the team, and even sported Dodger blue; as evidenced by the photo tweeted above by Kiké Hernandez.  

Really liking that jersey, Mo'ne. pic.twitter.com/3B8ASN7zpD

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 5, 2015

Below are some links to check out:

• Via Robert Keaney at ItemLive.com, "Jackie made history in Lynn."
• A boost of confidence from management?  Via Mark Saxon at ESPN, "Don Mattingly: Dodgers will stick with Joc Pederson."

"He's part of what we do. We made a conscious decision to be a better defensive club this year and he's a big part of that up the middle,” Mattingly said. "At some point, if you hit .220 and you don't hit homers, then there are other things you try to do, you have to make organizational decisions, but I don't think there's anybody trying to make those right now. There's nobody who thinks Joc can't hit.”

• THIS might be the best troll article ever.  Via a Fanpost by Scully's Tie at True Blue LA, "The Dodgers Welcome Newest Advertising Partner, Brazzers."  (Hat Tip: r/DrC---Punter on reddit)

Mark Walter, Chairman of the Los Angeles Dodgers, told a media gathering, "We concluded last year that the best way to give our fans what they want - more Dodger baseball, and a more mature experience at the park - was to launch a long-and-strong integration between two institutions which do it better than the rest. The Dodgers-Brazzers partnership will provide substantial financial resources over the coming years for the Dodgers to continue tricking other teams into giving us their best. Just as we are actively transforming the team and the stadium, we want the Dodgers to be exhibited on the very best adult network in the country - one that will provide an unrivaled fan experience."

• Via Ned Colletti at SportsNet LA, "How two Dodger blockbuster trades came together."  It's nice to get some background on the inner-workings of a trade; especially ones as big as the Manny Ramirez and Adrian Gonzalez trades.  (Hat Tip: r/averagebob_14 on reddit)
• My well wishes and congrats to the Billingsley family.  Via Todd Zolecki at MLB.com, "Billingsley's wife cancer-free, couple thanks Phillies."

The couple happily reported that Tiffany has been clear of cancer since last month. She will finish her final treatments in a few weeks.

"There were so many things that went right in this process," Chad said Tuesday.

• Via Night Owl Cards, "10 phenomenally frightful photoshopped Dodgers."
• Old School reporter Murray Chass writes about the problem with todays reporters, here.

I have long respected Rosenthal for his work, since before he began tweeting, but I disagree with him on two points. I wouldn’t call tweeters journalists, and there’s no need to provide minute-by-minute accounts because that’s when tweeters get in trouble. Trade talks and free-agent negotiations can change by the minute, and by the time a tweeter tweets a development he has learned, it can be three developments old.

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Blog Kiosk: 5/6/2015 - Dodger Links - Wieland, Greinke and Glenn Burke

This young Dodger fan in Milwaukee loves Jimmy Rollins... Obviously.

The photo above via @Dodgers on twitter.  Below are some links to check out:

• With Joe Wieland slated to make his Dodger debut this evening, Carlos Frias will start on Thursday; via Andrew Wagner at ESPN.com.

"We feel like it can't hurt to be able to give [Frias] an extra day," Mattingly said. "I'm not really worried about his arm, I just want to give him an extra day."

• Joe Wieland made an interesting comment to Ken Gurnick at MLB.com regarding the recent flurry of activity between AAA and the Dodgers:

"Down there, we expect anything to happen because just about everything has happened," he said. "You're here one day, you're outrighted. We've also had three or four starters on hold and then nothing's happened. We see it and have come to expect it. It's not as big an issue as it was in the beginning."

• Zack Greinke showed off a stellar bat flip yesterday.  Via Chris Landers at Cut4, "Zack Greinke busts out the rarely seen pitcher bat flip ... on a double."  JP Hoornstra shared a quote from Greinke about it on twitter:

Q: Where did the bat flip come from? Zack Greinke: It's always there. I just haven't hit one hard like that in a while.

— J.P. Hoornstra (@jphoornstra) May 6, 2015

• Via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider, "Glenn Burke elected to Baseball Reliquary’s Shrine of the Eternals."  BTW, former Topps executive Sy Berger, considered the father of the modern Baseball card, was also elected.
• Via Mike Spohr at BuzzFeed, "16 Questions With Baseball Legend Tommy Lasorda."  There are a couple of silly questions, so get ready to laugh a bit.
• Former Dodger hurler Chad Billingsley has returned to a MLB mound to pitch.  I'm glad to see him back out there.  He was always someone I rooted for.  Via a tweet from Phillies beat writer Meghan Montemurro of The News Journal:

Billingsley's 1st MLB start since 2013 is over after 5 innings. He allowed 6 runs (5 earned) on 8 hits w/1 BB & 2 Ks on 77 pitches #Phillies

— Meghan Montemurro (@M_Montemurro) May 6, 2015

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Blog Kiosk: 1/30/2015 - Dodger Links - Kershaw Blanket, MLB 15 and Bye Bye Billingsley

Dodger alumni (Kenny Landreaux, Tim Leary, Dennis Powell and Derrel Thomas) visited the LAPD's Harbor Division Station in San Pedro.  The photo above is via Juan Ocampo/LA Dodgers 2015.  Go here to check out more photos from him of this event.

Below are some more links to check out:

• With the Super Bowl this weekend David Davis at the Classical shares a fantastic interview with legendary sports photographer Neil Leifer, here.
• Here's an early peek at the Dodgers fleece blanket being given away on April 29th, via @Dodgers on twitter, on the right.  It's a Clayton Kershaw themed blanket.
• Here's more news on signing Cuban players Via Neil at Chicago Cubs Online, "Yoan Moncada Update: MLB Sent Memo to Teams Outlining New Regulations."
• Are you a gamer?  Planning on getting MLB15 when it comes out?  Well, Steve Noah at Operation Sports provides the, "MLB15 The Show Fact Sheet."  In case you forgot, Yasiel Puig is this seasons cover boy.  Below are a couple of gameplay pics of Puig.  Click on any pic to embiggen.  BTW, the PlayStation.Blog also mentions a gameplay reveal is scheduled for February 5th, at 2:00 PST, on Twitch.

• Boo!  I really like Billingsley.  At the same time I realize that there just wasn't any room for him in LA.  Via Mark Polishuk at MLB Trade Rumors, "Phillies Sign Chad Billingsley."

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Blog Kiosk: 11/8/2014 - Dodger Links - Farhan Zaidi, Yasiel Puig and Chad Billingsley

The Dodgers introduced their new General Manager, Farhan Zaidi, yesterday to a handful of local press people, and by most accounts it was a successful event.  He had an opportunity to address his analytical background and philosophy in such a way that even LA Times reporter Steve Dilbeck could understand it.  Photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014.

Still, I so wanted to hear the gallery chant the demeaning phrase 'NERD, NERD' like that lovable oaf named Ogre from that mid-80's movie classic that spawned three unwatchable sequels.

Yesterday could have been the prologue before the opening credits scrolled on the television screen.  Then, mad hazing would ensue as a wild and wacky crew of old-school Baseball defenders, lead by Ryan Theriot, enact their cruel yet hilarious forms of justice.  Soon, an unlikely romance is born before the plot climaxes with a rousing speech about how Baseball has always been about statistical analysis - heck, read about Allan Roth to understand how the Dodgers were one of the early vanguards.

At the end of the movie, the camera would pan across a cheering fanbase spread throughout Dodger Stadium.  Seated right in front, in the area usually occupied by Tommy Lasorda, is a motley collection of former rivals.  Hand in hand, stats folks and non-stats folks would rejoice in a happy bliss.

It coulda happened.

Below are some links to check out:

• Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider shares numerous quotes from yesterdays press conference regarding the recent hiring of Farhan Zaidi and Josh Byrnes, with Andrew Friendman.  Check it out.

“Both guys are going to touch everything. It’s a massive operation, and our vision is to be as good as we possibly can be in every facet. The development side, international, scouting, the way we use information, the way we prepare at the Major League level — all of those are incredibly important. To have all of touching those not only puts us in the best position we can be but allows us to do so as quickly as we can.

• Jon then shares numerous quotes from new GM Farhan Zaidi, "Quotebook: New Dodger GM Farhan Zaidi discusses his approach."  Check that out here.

“The hard question isn’t just evaluating how good players are, it’s how good players are going to be. And that’s another thing that you’re never going to be able to build, is some model that’s going to project and tell exactly what someone’s going to do next year. … That’s why you need this holistic approach to baseball operations, otherwise you’re going to miss out on a whole swath of opportunities.

• Via Aaron Gleeman at Hardball Talk, "Dodgers’ new GM Farhan Zaidi has a good sense of humor."
• Via Cary Osborne at Dodger Insider, "Puig, Butera heading to Japan for All-Star Series."
• In case you were wondering, via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA on twitter, the Kevin Correia trade has been completed:

Dodgers sent cash (no player) to the Twins to complete the Kevin Correia trade
— Eric Stephen (@truebluela) November 7, 2014

• Via Jayson Stark at ESPN, "Kershaw or Bumgarner?"
• Via Nathan Fenno at the LA Times, "Judge rejects Yasiel Puig's second attempt to dismiss lawsuit."

For the second time this year, a federal judge has rejected an attempt by Yasiel Puig to dismiss a lawsuit blaming the Dodgers outfielder for the imprisonment and alleged torture of a Cuban man.

• Via Ken Rosenthal on twitter, Chad Billingsley has changed agents.  There is no guarantee that he'll remain a Dodger.  There is bound to be a team out there willing to take a flyer on him.  Call it a high risk/high reward scenario.

Free-agent RHP Chad Billingsley has changed agents, joining Steve Hilliard of Octagon. Billingsley previously was repped by Dave Stewart.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 5, 2014

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Blog Kiosk: 11/4/2014 - Dodger Links - AGon, Billingsley and Farhan Zaidi

Here's a selfie shared yesterday afternoon by actor William Levy with Hanley Ramirez and former Major Leaguers Luis Castillo and Edgar Renteria.

Below are some links to check out:

• For the second time in his career Adrian Gonzalez won Mexico's National Sports Award as a professional athlete, via La Oficion (Spanish).
• This is just another feather to put on his cap.  Via Dave Cameron at FanGraphs, "The 2014 FanGraphs Player of the Year: Clayton Kershaw."  He's gonna need a couple of new trophy cases once the winter is done.
• Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports revealed that a source is saying that A's assistant GM Farhan Zaidi is talking to the Dodgers.  Eric Stephen at True Blue LA tells us a bit about him; "Farhan Zaidi reportedly talks with Dodgers about front office job."

Zaidi has been with Oakland for 10 years, with 2014 his first season as assistant general manager. The 37-year-old has a Ph.D in economics from Berkeley and a bachelor of science at MIT. His specialty is statistical analysis, which he used in Oakland to evaluate players in the draft, in free agency as well as trade targets.

He also assists in arbitration cases and minor league contracts, and analyzes data from advance scouts to present to the coaching staff. This is essentially a lot of the duties currently performed by Dodgers assistant GM Alex Tamin.

• Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider writes, "Chad Billingsley’s legacy a dividing line for Dodger fans," and I couldn't agree more with his assessment. 

It’s not definite that Billingsley has played his last game as a Dodger, but if he has, he leaves with a 3.65 ERA, 110 ERA+ and 16.9 WAR in 1,175 1/3 innings, according to Baseball-Reference.com. In 57 seasons of Los Angeles Dodger history, only 10 pitchers have a better adjusted ERA (minimum 1,000 innings), and only 14 accumulated more WAR.

• Jon also tells us that the Dodgers claimed infielder Ryan Jackson off of waivers from the Padres.  Jackson missed most of the 2014 season due to wrist surgery.  He is noted for being a great infielder, but having a weak bat.
• Via Ron Cervenka at Think Blue LA, "Darwin Barney – A low risk / high reward proposition."
• Here's some minor Dodger news.  Via Mark Polishuk at MLB Trade Rumors, "Dodgers Re-Sign Barry Enright."
• Here is AJ Ellis' response to Clayton Kershaw's award filled evening last night:

Clean haircut. Trimmed side burns. Pressed suit! Shoes matching socks AND belt! TIE! @ClaytonKersh22 you've changed! pic.twitter.com/2i7jfBbGbj
— AJ Ellis (@AJEllis17) November 4, 2014

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Blog Kiosk: 11/1/2014 - Dodger Links - Billingsley Bought Out, Jamie Romak and Gabe Kapler

In news that was entirely expected, the Dodgers announced that they would buyout the $14Mil contract of starting pitcher Chad Billingsley for the 2015 season at $3Mil.  Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Dodgers buy out Billingsley as righty hits free agency."

This doesn't mean he'll never wear Blue again, but it does mean that it's not assured.  Billingsley is just coming off Tommy John surgery and a second surgery during rehab to repair a partially torn flexor tendon, so I'd imagine the club will let him workout with them and maybe even extend a tryout.

Chad has been a Dodger throughout his professional career, and from what I understand he'd like to stay in the franchise.  He was our 1st round pick in 2003 and has been Blue ever since.  In eight Major League seasons in Los Angeles he has gone 81-61 with a 3.65 ERA.  The photo above of Chad is via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2010.

Below are some links to check out:

• Bill Chuck at the Daily Gammons shares, "Nine quotes to end a baseball season."  Below is my favorite one:

People ask me what I do in winter when there’s no baseball. I’ll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring. ~Rogers Hornsby

• Via Cary Osborne at Dodger Insider, "Jamie Romak reflects on his friend Oscar Taveras."

“I’ve been with five different organizations now, and he was the best hitter I’ve ever seen,” Romak said. “He was capable of amazing things. He hit everything, every type of pitch and covered the whole plate. I admired his talent. I hit behind him in 2012, and I spent my time in the on-deck circle like a fan would in the stands. That’s the kind of talent he had.”

• Eric Stephen at True Blue LA tells us about the potential Dodger interest in adding Gabe Kapler to the Dodgers front office.  Via Mike Petriello at Dodgers Digest, "Is Gabe Kapler Coming To The Dodgers? (Yes, Please!)"

You better believe it. He’s the perfect guy to bridge old-school and new. I don’t know what capacity this might be in, if at all. I just know that I want it to happen. 

Since I don't know much about Kapler and what he might bring to the table, I don't have anything to say about this latest rumor.

• Via Harold Uhlman at Think Blue LA, "A look back at the 2014 Dominican Summer League Dodgers."

Having a winning record was no small feat as the Dodgers had a team batting average of .226 with only four hitters at or above .275. The success no doubt can be mainly attributed to the pitching staff which compiled an ERA of 2.97 ranking seventh in the league. Near the bottom of the league in strikeouts with 464 the staff was also near the top of the league in fewest hits allowed with 530 in 627 innings pitched.

• Congratulations to the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks for being the 2014 Japan Series champions, via Jason Coskrey at The Japan Times.
• GCRL shares even more Steve Garvey oddball cards.  Check them out here.
• Here's some Halloween banter from Dan Haren on twitter:

Haren Pitching at Coors Field #ScaryStoriesIn5Words
— dan haren (@ithrow88) October 31, 2014

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

2014 Panini Immaculate Baseball - The Dodger Autographed Cards

Following up on Friday's post featuring the Dodger base cards found in packs of Panini's Immaculate Collection, here are the various autographed cards that are available.  Go here to check out all of my previous post on this set.

Below are the normal autographed cards, and as always there are several different parallels available.  They are: Blue #/10, Holo Gold #/5, Platinum 1/1.

Autographs Set

#44 Chad Billingsley (#/49)                       #55 Adrian Gonzalez (#/25)

#97 Clayton Kershaw (#/25)

There is one parallel available in the Autographed Materials set.  It is called Autographed Materials Prime, and it typically includes a patch or special relic piece embedded within it.  Below are the print runs:

• #7 Darryl Strawberry (#/20)
• #16 Gary Sheffield (#/1)
• #30 Clayton Kershaw (#/15)

Autograph Materials Set

#7 Darryl Strawberry (#/99)                   #16 Gary Sheffield (#/49)

#30 Clayton Kershaw (#/49)

Below are the Ink Gold autographed cards, and there are several different parallels available.  They are: Blue #/10, Holo Ink #/5, Platinum 1/1.

Ink Gold Set

#17 Adrian Gonzalez (#/15)               #41 Darryl Strawberry (#/25)

#43 Clayton Kershaw (#/25)                     #49 Steve Garvey (#/49)

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Blog Kiosk: 9/26/2014 - Dodger Links - Some Odds and Ends

Check out this great vintage photo via @BSmile on twitter.  It features the Brooklyn Dodgers Band getting ready for the upcoming 1941 World Series.  Per the caption:

~ ACME Wire: ” -  Shows, the Brooklyn Dodger Band as they oiled up their instruments for the Series. “Brother Lou” Sariano, leader of the band, as he oiled up the squeeky trombone for Patty George. at the Withers Bar and Grill at 32 Withers St. Brooklyn.

As you know, this group would be aptly named the Sym-Phony Band by Dodger broadcaster Red Barber in  1939.  BTW, there is a half-hour documentary about this group made in 1998, and a six minute clip of it can be seen here, on vimeo. 

• If you haven't already you gotta check out Dodger photographer Jon SooHoo's pics from Wedneday.  He's got a bunch of photos of the game and the ensuing celebration.  Go here.  You won't regret it.
• I had missed this moment at the end of Wednesday's game.  So, why are you making it hard to hate you?  See the gif below.  

(Via Reddit: HairyBoobies)

• Via Mike Petriello at FanGraphs, "How Hitters Are Trying To Beat Clayton Kershaw."

No one’s found a way to beat him, not reliably, anyway; in his 27 starts this year, only once did he allow more than three earned runs. But it doesn’t mean hitters aren’t constantly trying to figure out how, because “simply waiting until he retires in 12 years or so” seems like it might take some time. So they’re doing something that may seem counter-intuitive: They’re swinging as soon as they can. After years and years of being told “be patient, work the count, get into the bullpen,” — not a terrible thought, since the Dodgers bullpen beyond Kenley Jansen & J.P. Howell is more than a little problematic — hitters are abandoning patience and are simply trying to attack Kershaw early.

• Roberto at Vin Scully is My Homeboy shares a great interview with Vin Scully done by Seth Davis of Campus Insiders.  Go here to check it out.  Roberto also lets us know about Yasiel Puig appearance on Saturday morning at Hamer Toyota in Mission Hills.  Go here for information on that.  Puig will be doing a Q&A only - there will be no autographs available.
• Via Ron Cervenka at Think Blue LA, "Billingsley has sights set on spring training return."

Even though Billingsley hasn’t starting throwing yet, he has been working out and says that he will have a ‘normal’ off-season.

“Shoulder exercising, running and lower body work a lot,” said Billingsley. “It’s mostly just waiting allowing my surgery to heal on its own and start throwing by the end of November and be ready by spring training.”

• Nick at Dime Boxes writes, "Short Term Stops: The All-Dodgers Team."  He put together a list of All-Time Dodgers who had only a brief stay in Dodger Blue, and it's a pretty good list.
• Left Field Pavilion named the Flying **** Award Winners.
• The Pope knows Baseball.  Via Bill Gallucio at AM570, "WATCH: Pope Francis Tries To Catch Baseball Thrown From Crowd."
• Via David Pinto at Baseball Musings, Bill "Spaceman" Lee is still going strong on the diamond at 68-years old.
• What Amy Davidson says at The New Yorker, "What Bill Simmons Showed About ESPN" is spot on. 

Simmons’s anger is absolutely earned. Goodell’s denial is absurd; as I’ve written before, what did he think it looked like when a football player knocked a woman unconscious? (Note that Simmons is saying that he lied about knowing what was on the tape, not whether Goodell saw it himself.) There are a few levels of dishonesty here: when Goodell hears that a player—a man whom he watches on the field every week using the force of his body in violent collisions—has hit a woman, and says that he just can’t picture the mechanics of that action without a video, how many lies is he telling, to others and to himself? Perhaps in other cases, when players choked women, shot them, or dragged them by the hair, he needed a sort of animated diagram.

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

2014 Topps Triple Threads Baseball - The Dodger Unity Jumbo Cards

Here is a final look at Topps 2014 Triple Thread Baseball card set.  Go here to check out all of my past post on this set.  Check out all of the Unity Dodger insert cards below.

BTW, according to a checklist there are three different AJ Ellis Unity Single Jumbo Relic cards, but I have only seen two different versions so far.  If you have a photo of the missing third card please pass it along. I also need a better photo of the Josh Beckett card.

Unity Single Jumbo Relics Set

#UJR-AE A.J. Ellis

Blog Kiosk: 6/28/2014 - Dodger Links - Puig Signs Deal with Topps, Targeting Relievers and Photos from the Veteran of the Game

Get down and give me 20!"  Adrian Gonzalez and Yasiel Puig show off perfect form for doing push-ups.  Pic above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014.

• Friday's Veteran of the Game Angel Peraza shared a bunch of his photos from the game on Reddit, via Imgur.  Go here to check them out.  He wrote the following on Reddit:

Today was super cool. I was really honored to be chosen by the Dodgers to their veteran of the Game. There was some coordination that had to happen before the game, it's cool to get a phone call from "The Dodger Organization". They gave me tickets for me, my wife and two sons. It was really amazing to be able to be on the field with the players during the National Anthem. They walked me through the clubhouse to get to the field and gave me a tour as we walked through. On the way down we walked past Don Newcomb. It was mind blowing to have a quick conversion with a living legend. He told me some cool stories from his Army days. During the 3rd inning, they again brought me on to the field for a short presentation. Basically, They emailed a questionnaire a couple of weeks ago and had me send in some photos to display on by the jumbotron. I didn't get to get many photos of my time on the field, since I had to put my phone away. But, on the field I got a quick hand shake from Kemp and Puig. I got a challenge coin, too, it looks awesome .

• Via Cary Osborne at Dodger Insider, "Billingsley faced surgery the only way he knows."

“You can’t dwell on what happened in the past,” he said. “You’ve got to keep fighting and keep going and stay positive.”

• On the heels of Kershaw's deal with Topps earlier this year, now Puig signs with them.  Via a tweet from Cardboard Connections on twitter:

Yasiel Puig has signed a 1-year deal with @toppscards. Makes him a Topps-exclusive for autographed cards #collect
— Cardboard Connection (@sportscards) June 27, 2014

• Via Chris Olds at Beckett, Puig had this to say about the deal with Topps.

“Joining the Topps family is yet another dream come true for me,” Puig said in a prepared statement. “It’s exciting to be pictured on a baseball card and to be part of such a long-standing American tradition.”

• So, what does Colletti have in mind for trade deadline acquisitions?  Mark Saxon on twitter provides some insight.

 

Ned Colletti on early trade deadline thoughts: "I'd like to get our bullpen squared away, whether it's internally or externally."
— Mark Saxon (@markasaxon) June 28, 2014

This should come as no surprise.  Pitching wins championships, and right now our starters are rolling just fine, but our bullpen could use some polishing.

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Blog Kiosk: 6/27/2014 - Dodger Links - Uribe's Back, Hanley Should be on the Mend and TV Deal Heartache

Awesome!  Christopher Lloyd visited Dodger Stadium last night to announce the Dodgers lineup.  In the photo above he is with Scott Van Slyke.  Pic via @Dodgers on twitter.

• ICYMI: Juan Uribe came back to the Dodgers from the DL yesterday, and Carlos Triunfel was sent back to Albuquerque.
• Via Nathan Fenno at the LA Times, "Judge declines to dismiss lawsuit against Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig."
• Thank goodness, via a tweet from the @Dodgers:

 

The MRI on Hanley Ramirez’s right shoulder showed no structural damage. He is day to day and will be able when his pain subsides. #Dodgers
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) June 27, 2014

• Via Bill Plunkett at the OC Register, "Dodgers' TV deal dilemma affects no-hitter ratings."

“I don’t know what to make about ratings,” Dodgers team president and CEO Stan Kasten said. “I do know in terms of the metrics we deal with – ticket sales, sponsorships, etc. – everything is up, it’s very strong. Facebook followers, Twitter followers. It’s really a golden era for the Dodgers.

The saddest thing is that there are a whole bunch of Dodger fans who are missing the magic of Vin Scully on the tube, and nobody in "the know" seems to care about that.  Frankly, I don't think they'll ever get their act together this season, and I fear 2015 will be just the same.  After all, I don't think there's any sense of urgency.  This is a battle of wills between multibillion dollar businesses, so fans are left hanging in the lurch. And don't whine to me that Kasten and his group had no idea this would happen - that's a load of bull.  Kasten is an old cable TV guy who is smart enough to know what's been going on in the industry the past few years.  They knew very well it was likely that an entire season would be lost.

• Vie Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Chad Billingsley has successful elbow surgery to repair torn flexor tendon."
• That arm!  Gif via Dodgers on Tumblr. Could we be in the midst of witnessing a Kemp revival?  I hope so.  And, how about Beckett, eh?  Or, Turner off the bench to drive in the eventual winning run?  And, the bullpen shutting the door on last nights the game?  Or, Rojas ably filling in at short and getting two hits; including the first one off Wainwright?  As Jon Weisman wrote at Dodger Insider, this team won with some grit.  BTW, the Dodgers are now just 2 games back of the Giants.  WooHoo!

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Blog Kiosk: 6/17/2014 - Dodger Links - Billingsley, Kershaw on Bills and Grant Holmes Close to Signing

What an awesome photo of the California contingent to the 1985 National League All-Star Game roster, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 1995.  Can you name them all?  Answer at the very bottom of post.  Of course, in the mix is Tony Gwynn.  RIP, Tony.

• BTW, several Kings (names not confirmed yet) will be heading to tonight's game at Dodger Stadium with the Stanley Cup in tow.  There will be a special pregame ceremony honoring the team and their 2nd Stanley Cup Championship.  BTW, the Kings will have another parade through 3 South Bay cities (Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach and Redondo Beach) on Wednesday.  Go here for information.
• Jared Massey at Dodgers Nation shares his recent interview with Dodger 2014 9th Round Draft Pick Matt Campbell.

JM: If you could, give us a scouting report on yourself
MC: I love throwing my fastball. No matter what the count, situation, etc. I love going to my fastball. I have a slider and a change up and I would say my change up is my favorite off speed pitch of the two.

• Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Scott Elbert to begin rehab assignment in Ogden."

The collective bargaining agreement allows for rehab assignments to last up to 30 days, and Elbert starting all the way down in rookie ball suggests that the Dodgers will be deliberate and methodical in his rehab.

• Billingsley elects surgery, via a tweet from JP Hoornstra.

Surgery will be next week to reattach flexor tendon. 3 months until he can throw.
— J.P. Hoornstra (@jphoornstra) June 16, 2014

• Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider shares a quote from Clayton Kershaw about Billinglsey.

“Bills is a good friend of mine, so I just feel bad for him,” said Clayton Kershaw, for six years a teammate of Billingsley. “I know how much he loves to complete and how much he wanted to pitch, and I can’t imagine going through that whole rehab process and finding out that news. You just try to put yourself in his shoes and be there for him the best you can, and realize it’s a pretty terrible situation.”

• Via Mark Saxon at ESPNLosAngeles.com, "Dodgers nearing deal with first-round pick."

The player, pitcher Grant Holmes, said he has an agreement in place pending a physical. The allotted slot amount for the No. 22 pick is $1.98 million. 

• In the photo at the very top of this post (from left to right) are: Mike Piazza, Tony Gwynn, Todd Worrell, Jose Offerman, Raul Mondesi, Barry Bonds and Hideo Nomo.

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

2014 Topps Series 2 Baseball - The Dodger Base Cards

The second series of Topps flagship Baseball card product was released last week.  On Friday, I shared the Dodger short printed base cards that available from 2014 Topps Series 2.  Today, you can check out all of the Dodger base cards that are in the set.  Go here to see all of my other past post on this set.  I'll have photos of the Dodger autographed, relic and insert cards over the coming days.

Base Set

#367 Brian Wilson

#400 Clayton Kershaw                           #415 Andre Ethier

#460 Matt Kemp                                       #519 A.J. Ellis

#552 Yasiel Puig

#566 Carl Crawford

I absolutely love the Dee Gordon card below.  It shows what he does best while sporting some Mother's Day gear. 

#587 Dee Gordon

#596 Juan Uribe

#604 Clayton Kershaw NLCY

The next two cards are black bordered parallel cards.  Black bordered cards are numbered to just 63 copies.

#606 Kenley Jansen

#623 Chad Billingsley

#643 Alex Guerrero

The Dan Haren card below is a green camo parallel card.  They are limited to just 99 copies.

#646 Dan Haren

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Blog Kiosk: 6/15/2014 - Dodger Links - Billingsley Looks Done, Hanley Goofs on Uribe and Bat Flip Gone Bad

Adrian Gonzalez was enjoying his Father's Day at Dodger Stadium yesterday with his two daughters, pic via @Dodgers on twitter.  Check out a bunch of photos from Dodger photographer Jon SooHoo from yesterday, here.

• Via Steve Dilbeck at the LA Times, " Chad Billingsley's season appears over; career as a Dodger may be too."

“It’s very, very, very, very, very, very, very slim that I would pitch again" this year, Billingsley said. “If I do the rehab I would have a chance, but the risk would be . . . tendon fails, that’s a six-month rehab after surgery. Doing three years' rehab would be a grind.”

• Via Mark Townsend at Big League Stew, "Hanley Ramirez strikes again — puts snake in Juan Uribe's shoe."
• Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Lasorda, coaches attend funeral for Welch."
• A bat flip gone bad courtesy of Yasiel Puig, via Dodgers tumblr.

• Via Chad Moriyama at Dodgers Digest, "Dodgers sign 10 more 2014 draft picks, including Taylor, Freeman, Wolfe, Vela, Allen."
• Via 25Stanley.com, check out some photos from the Kings celebration the evening they won the cup at the North End in Hermosa Beach.  It's a French website, so I apologize in advance.
• The LA Kings Insider shares a whole bunch of photos from each game of the Stanley Cup Final.  Check them out here.

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *