Blog Kiosk: 11/17/2016 - Dodgers Links - Tsao, Seager and Clayton Kershaw

Are you as eager for the start of Spring Training as I am?

The merciless doldrums of winter has finally set in, and all I can do to assuage my boredom is troll the web for reminders of spring.  Hence, the playful vintage press photo from the United Press, dated March 5, 1956 from Vero Beach, Florida, that you see above.  It features three Williams' in Brooklyn Dodger Blue.  Best of all, the middle Williams appears to be totally unaware of a little prank being played on him.  Photo originally found on eBay (Auction Link).  Per the write-up on the reverse:

"ANYBODY CALL FOR "WILLIAMS?" Vero Beach, Fla: Three gents who have the same last name --Williams-- at the Dodger training camp form a unique trio...and they are not related.  They are: (left to right) outfielder Dick Williams; catcher Don Williams; and pitcher Stan Williams.  Dick and Stan form "W" with their fingers over Don's head.".

Below are more links to check out:

• Happy Birthday, Sam Post, Lew McCarty, George Stallings & Brad Havens!

Blog Kiosk: 11/11/2016 - Dodgers Links - Calhoun, Seager and Veterans Day

On this Veterans Day I am elated to have run into the above vintage press photo featuring Don Sutton undergoing training with the US Army.  It is dated to the winter of 1967 and was taken at Ft. Gordon, Georgia.  This followed his second season as a Dodger starting pitcher.  I've, so far, been unable to find much information about his time there.

UPDATE: I just found a brief mention about Sutton's time in Georgia.  It is in The Bulletin from Bend, Oregon.  It adds in the caption, "Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Don Sutton is worried about his control.  Pvt. Sutton, a basic trainee at US Army post in Fort Gordon, Ga., says he scored only a "lousy" 23 out of a possible 40 points on his dummy hand grenade throwing test.  Sutton said he had trouble getting his curve across the target.  Sutton is scheduled to be released from active duty shortly after the 1968 baseball season opens in April."

Another source, via Florida Today, 1968, states that he had a four-month stint with the Army Reserves.

Having said that, I thought I would pass along a couple of websites that focus on Baseball military veterans.  These are some great sources worth your time to check out.  If you happen to know of any more please pass them along.

• Baseball in Wartime (link here)
• Baseball's Greatest Sacrifice (link here)

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1981 Fernando Valenzuela was named the very first rookie to win the NL Cy Young Award -- barely edging out Tom Seaver of the Reds, 70-67.  In 1986 Valenzuela is beat by Houston hurler Mike Scott in Cy Young voting.  Scott received fifteen first place votes and Valenzuela received nine.

Blog Kiosk: 6/2/2016 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Sometimes you just can't help it.  Sometimes the other pitcher was just better.

Jon Lester got on to the mound against the Dodgers and dominated.  He threw a 113 pitch complete game, his first of the season, and finished the evening retiring the last fifteen batters he faced.  The only run scored against him was an home run, on the Lester's second pitch of the game, to Kiké Hernández to start the game.  After that, the Dodgers had nothing.  Via Carrie Muskat and Brian Hedger at MLB.com:

"I think that might have been the best I've seen Jonny since I've been here," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. "He gives up a leadoff homer and then nothing. That's physically the best I've seen him pitch here."

All you can do is tip your cap.

BTW, the Dodger pitcher were up to the task of matching Jon Lester.  Unfortunately, it wasn't enough.  Mike Bolsinger, the Dodgers starter, only allowed a two-run homer to Bryant, but that was all they needed to defeat the Dodgers, 2-1.

"He matched [Lester] pretty much pitch for pitch, and made a mistake, and Bryant hit it out of the ballpark," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. "I thought we had a chance to win all night and didn't really give ourselves a chance." 

The above photo of Hernández's homer via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2016.  Go here to check out more pics by Jon from yesterdays game.  Below are more links to check:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1995 Hideo Nomo recorded his first Major League win.  It would be against the NY Mets.  Nomo went eight innings, gave up two hits and struck out six in a 2-1 victory.  Also, he would then win his next five starts.
• Happy Birthday, Chin-Hui Tsao!

Welcome Back to the Blue, Mike Bolsinger and Luis Avilan!

The Dodgers shuffle both the starting rotation and relief staff this afternoon.  They have recalled right-handed starting pitcher Mike Bolsinger and left-handed reliever Luis Avilan.  They replace right-handed starter Ross Stripling, who has been optioned to AAA-Oklahoma City, and right-handed reliever Chin-Hui Tsao, who has been placed on the 15-Day DL with a right triceps strain. 

Welcome Back to the Blue, Chin-Hui Tsao!

I get the feeling that the retooling of the Dodgers relief staff is just beginning.  The Dodgers announced this afternoon that they are bringing back right-handed reliever Chin-Hui Tsao.  Mike Bolsinger, who started last nights game, has been optioned back to Oklahoma City. 

As you'll recall, the Dodgers initially signed Tsao as a free agent last winter.  He pitched well enough that Spring to be invited to stay with the club in the minors.  Quickly, he worked himself back into Major League shape (after having been out of the Majors for eight years), and eventually pitched in five games for Los Angeles that July with mixed results.  This season he started the year with the Oklahoma City Dodgers and did quite a bit of closing for them. 

Per a Dodgers press release:

Blog Kiosk: 2/9/2016 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Here's another fantastic pic derived from an original photographic transparency.  Featured above is Pee Wee Reese showing off his swing to the cameraman.  It is dated to March 4, 1957, and was taken at Dodgertown in Vero Beach, FL.  This is one of many different vintage color transparencies currently for sale through Hyee-Auctions on eBay. 

Below are more links to check out:

• Via Eric Mandel at MyNorthwest.com, "Littlest brother's shadow looms large for Mariners' Kyle Seager."  Find out what big brother Kyle thinks of little brother Corey.

At the Mariners' annual FanFest event on Jan. 31, third basemen Kyle Seager was faced with a question he's likely been asked for years: Who is better, you or your little brother?

And, apparently, Kyle couldn't help but give his most honest answer.

"He's good, sorry," Seager responded to a cascade of laughs. "I'm sorry he's better; I'm trying, I promise." 

• Via Justin Russo at Dodgers Nation, "Joc Pederson Attends Super Bowl 50."
• Matt Eddy at Baseball America noted on their Minor League Transaction page that the Dodgers re-signed Chin-Hui Tsao.
• Yeah!  I get it.  The Gurriel brothers have defected from Cuba, and I suspect every team in the league will be hot after their trails.  Steve Adams at MLB Trade Rumors has a good rundown on them, here.
• Looking for some validation?  Then check out Reuben Hampton and Jeremy Losak story at the Sports Quotient, "Dodgers Depth Enough To Win."
• Jeff Pearlman shares an fantastic interview with sports publicist Kelly Swanson, here.  She is noted as the "biggest publicist in boxing" over the past twenty years.
• Wrigley Wax finds an glaring error in the 2016 Topps Baseball card set that features Wrigley Field.  Check it out here.
• Wow.  Via Rich Mueller at Sports Collectors Daily, "Doug Allen Sentenced to 57 Months in Federal Prison."  He was one of the auction house guys (Mastro/Legendary) caught by the FBI and prosecuted for illegal auction activities (like shill bidding) and the sale of fake/inauthentic goods.  Allen was a heavyweight in the hobby.  Now, he's going to jail.
• If you don't read Night Owl Cards then you're missing out. 

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Welcome to the Blue, Chin-Hui Tsao!

This is a rather incredible feat.  A ballplayer who last played in the Majors some eight years ago will now step into the Dodger clubhouse.  It has just been announced, although anticipated all day, that right-handed relief pitcher Chin-Hui Tsao will join the club today.  Additionally, Josh Ravin also joins him.  Ian Thomas and Yimi Garcia have been sent to AAA.

Via a Dodger press release:

Tsao will be making his first appearance in the big leagues since 2007 and has gone 2-1 with five saves and a 3.86 ERA in 21 games this year with Oklahoma City. In 50 MLB games (eight starts) with the Rockies (2003-05) and Dodgers (2007), Tsao went 4-4 with four saves with a 5.40 ERA.

As you will recall, the Dodgers took a gamble on Tsao by inviting him to Spring Training this year - even while knowing about his involvement in a game fixing scheme in Taiwan in 2009 and a reported banning from the Chinese Professional Baseball League.  Still, he was said to be able to throw in the mid-90's, and that was probably good enough to give him a look.  Word is the commissioner gave the Dodgers the go ahead to sign him.

Fortunately, the Dodgers bet appears to be paying off.  He was fantastic during the Spring, and earned a spot within the Dodgers system.  Yasmani Grandal said this about him in March, via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"First time I ever saw him," said catcher Yasmani Grandal. "He gives me a lot of options. He has a back-door breaking ball. And I didn't know he threw that hard."

In 25 appearances in Oklahoma City and Tulsa he struck out 39 batters in 30.2 innings of work.  He had also walked only five batters total.  If he maintains these kind of numbers while in Los Angeles he just might become a fixture on the club.

In celebration of Tsao's arrival to the Dodgers I made the above fantasy card for him.  I used a photo taken by Jon SooHoo during Spring Training and the 1972 Topps Baseball card design.

Below are his career stats, via Baseball-Reference:

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Blog Kiosk: 7/8/2015 - Dodger Links - Newcombe, Pierre and Tsao

Yasiel Puig is seen taking batting practice underneath the confines of Dodger Stadium before yesterday's game.  Considering the tough go he's had at it lately, he no doubt needed it.  My question, though, is who is the little tyke on the bottom left of the photo?  Ain't he in mortal danger of getting a ball fouled back towards him?  Tough guy, that kid is.

The above photo via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers.  Go here to check out more pics from him from yesterday's game.  Below are some links to check out:

• Get well!  Via an ESPN report, "Don Newcombe leaves Dodger Stadium for hospital after feeling ill."
• Awesome!  Via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider, "Juan Pierre is the best of sports."

Juan Pierre, who memorably accompanied his retirement announcement with the amusing lament that while he had 18 career home runs, he wished he had 20, was lighthearted Monday responding to my tweet that he had been the only position player in Dodger history to start in the No. 9 slot in the batting order after the pitcher.

• The 3rd Annual Kershaw's Challenge Ping Pong 4 Purpose charity event is coming up on July 30th.  Go here for information.
• Via Steve Bourbon at MLB.com, "Crawford aims to return after All-Star break."

"I think [trainer] Stan [Conte] has a plan mapped out for him to be playing through the break so they have the same time off that we do," Mattingly said. "Then we can see where he's at."

• Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Dodgers to call up Chin-hui Tsao, per report."

"He gives me a lot of options to play with, whether it's backdoor breaking balls, cutters inside, fastballs up," said catcher Yasmani Grandal in March. "He can bring it too. I didn't know he could bring it that hard."

• Panini shares some preview picks from their 2015 Immaculate Baseball set; including the Kershaw card on the right.  Go here to see more.
• Nick Diunte at the Examiner.com tells us about a former Dodger who had recently passed away: "Buddy Hicks, former Detroit Tigers infielder, passes away at 87."
• Topps newest online exclusive creation is called "Fire" and it's an art print measuring 10"x14" and numbered for only #/49 copies.  Clayton Kershaw and Yasil Puig prints are available.  See them below.  Go here to check them out.  A rare "1 of 1" sepia version were also available, but have already been sold.

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Blog Kiosk: 3/16/2015 - Dodger Links - Kershaw, Grandal and Tsao

Ever the perfectionist, Clayton Kershaw was unhappy with his spring outing yesterday afternoon.  In 3 1/3 innings of work he allowed just one run, but walked three and gave up four hits.  Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"I was all over the place, had no idea where the ball was going," Kershaw said. "I'm getting worse as the spring is going. I walked three in three innings. I have a lot of things to figure out. I would have liked to get through four innings, but my pitch count was so high I couldn't do it."

I wouldn't be too concerned about his recent outings this March.  Spring training is for working out the kinks and Kershaw appears determined to do just that.  Given his history and his desire to be the best pitcher in the league, I find his words encouraging.  The photo above was taken by Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2015.  Go here to check out more photos from Jon from yesterday.

Below are some more links to check out:

• I don't think their unfamiliarity with each other is an issue.  Certainly, there's an learning curve they both have to go through, but I doubt it played a part in yesterday's game.  Via Kevin Baxter at the LA Times, "Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw, Yasmani Grandal may not be on same page yet."
• Via Richard Justice at MLB.com, "Dodgers' new middle men bring proven poise."  On Kendrick and Rollins:

"I think they bring a ton to the table for us," Mattingly said. "They create stability up the middle. Both those guys come from good organizations with winning traditions, and still can play and are leaders. Also, two guys who are still playing really well."

• ICYMI, Julio Urias, Chris Anderson, Ryan Buchter and Josh Ravin were sent to the Dodgers' minor league camp.  Eric Stephen at True Blue LA has more.
• Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Dodgers' Tsao could pull off rare feat by returning to Majors."

"His stuff is good," said Mattingly. "I kind of left him in there for a shot at Cano and those guys. He's been interesting to watch."

• Via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider, "New AM 570 LA Sports debuts today."

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Blog Kiosk: 1/2/2015 - Dodger Links - They are Confident in Anderson and Confident with the Current Rotation

It has been so cold.  So, when I saw the above photo on eBay the other day I certainly could sympathize.  It features four Brooklyn Dodgers huddled around a soon-to-be raging fire at their spring home in Daytona Beach.  The photo is dated 3/2/1946 and is from International News. Check out the auction here.  From the caption written on the reverse:

PITY POOR DODGERS IN BLEAK FLORIDA.  Daytona Beach, Fla.......It's all right for the fortunate people up North.  They can warm be shoveling snow.  But the poor Brooklyn Dodgers, who are spring training down in Daytona Beach have to light a fire to get the chill out of their bones.  Billy Herman is playing fireman here to get a blaze going for Vic Lombardi, Hal Gregg and Lew Riggs.  Cold weather caused postponement of practice called for yesterday."

Below are some links to check out:

• Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "With ultimate goal in reach, 10 questions for Dodgers."
• Via Mark Saxon at ESPNLosAngeles.com, "2014 highs and lows both involve Kershaw."
• Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Dodgers confident in Brett Anderson's health."

"He's a young guy. He was terrific when he pitched last year for Colorado. From a health standpoint, we feel very good about him being a regular guy from the start of the season on," Dodgers general manager Farhan Zaidi said on a conference call on Wednesday. "We're certainly hoping he stays healthy and takes the ball every fifth day."

• Via Bill Shaikin on twitter, Dodger GM Farhan Zaidi said they are not looking to add another frontline starting pitcher.

Zaidi: Bolsinger and Wieland are the extra pitchers to protect against injury to Anderson or others. No plans to pursue more.
— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) December 31, 2014

Zaidi: "Our focus on the SP side is going to be depth options." He won't say no Scherzer or Shields, but that's what he means.
— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) December 31, 2014

• Via Tim Brown at Yahoo Sports, "Dodgers exploring an intriguing gamble with Chin-hui Tsao."

A few days ago, the Los Angeles Times reported the Dodgers were “close” to signing Tsao to a minor-league deal and suggested the club had received clearance from MLB to do so. Both are true. The Dodgers contacted MLB prior to engaging with Tsao, a baseball source with knowledge of those conversations told Yahoo Sports. The league looked into the circumstances surrounding Tsao’s expulsion, found some “ambiguities” in the case, and cleared the way for the signing, the source said.

This much seems clear, ambiguities notwithstanding: A guy banned from playing baseball somewhere else (or, in this case, two somewhere elses) for at least entertaining the idea of throwing games probably should not be rewarded with a second chance here. Not with a major league club. Not on a minor-league deal. Not with MLB’s already very rigid stance on such activities, not with the flaming contradiction it would appear to be, not with the precedent it would set. (Rose, for one, might be inspired to launch another reality TV show, and nobody wants that.)

• Via Bernie Pleskoff at MLB.com, "Versatile infield prospect Sweeney impresses with speed."

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Blog Kiosk: 12/29/2014 - Dodger Links - Kuroda to Play in Japan, Justin Tuner and Chin-Hui Tsao?

Here is just another press photo from a a vintage spring.  Featured above is a 1957 International News press photo dated February 27, 1957.  The caption attached to the reverse says:

SAFETY FOIST-----Vero Beach, FLA........ Protected by a screen behind the pitcher's mound, manager Walter Alston keeps a critical eye on things as Fred Krupp pitches during practice at the Dodgers spring camp in Vero Beach.  Alston took this precaution after he was almost beaned by a line drive

Such are the perils of Spring!  I ran into this photo on eBay.  Check out the auction here.

Below are some links to check out:

• Cary Osborne at Dodger Insider give us the inside scoop on, "How Yasiel Puig landed the cover of MLB 15 The Show."

“We wanted to focus on someone whose passion for gaming is only superseded by their passion for baseball. Where gaming is organically part of what’s important to them. In that way, they can more organically speak to the brand and the game.”

• Here's an old friend alert.  Via Jeff Todd at MLB Trade Rumors, "Hiroki Kuroda Plans To Return To Hiroshima Carp."  And as expected, Kuroda's career will go full circle.  He will end his illustrious professional career with the club he started with.  He was a great Dodger pitcher and I had hoped he would play in LA one last time before going back home. 
• Left Field Pavilion made some fantastic graphics in honor of Hiroki Kuroda.  Check those out here.
• Via MLB Fan Cave, "Justin Turner Gives Sad Dodgers Fan a Jersey for Christmas."

One young Dodgers fan had his Christmas dampened by the fact that his favorite team had just traded his favorite player, Matt Kemp. But current Dodger Justin Turner came to the rescue with the perfect solution.

• Panini America released more preview pics from their upcoming National Treasures Baseball card set here.  Check out an autographed Clayton Kershaw booklet card on the right.
• Via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider, "2014 postscript: From piano to panic, a Kershaw no-hitter odyssey."  Jon shares his story of the day Kershaw threw his no-hitter.

By this time in my Dodger life, Kershaw knew generally who I was, but it’s not as if he really knew me — I’m not sure if he even knew my name. So you can imagine how taken aback I was when he put his glove down on some gear near me and asked, “Can you watch this for a minute?”

• Via Bill Skaikin at The LA Times, "Dodgers close to signing Taiwanese pitcher Chin-Hui Tsao."

Tsao, 33, appeared in 21 games as a reliever for the Dodgers in 2007. He previously played for the Colorado Rockies, becoming the first Taiwanese pitcher in Major League Baseball.

And as Evan Bladh at Opinion of Kingman's Performance indicates, "Chin-hui Tsao Should Have to Be Vetted by MLB Before Reinstatement."  Tsao is currently banned from playing ball in Taiwan due to fixing games and recently prohibited from playing in Australia, as a result.

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *