Blog Kiosk: 8/19/2016 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

This is something you don't see everyday.  Featured above is a vintage 1939 International News press photo of Dodgers third baseman Cookie Lavagetto tagging out Reds outfielder Wally Berger, and emblazoned across the top are the words, "Thrown Out!"  It is quite a rarity to see words like that in a press photo.

BTW, the pic above was once part of the George Michael Collection of sliding press photographs.  It is currently available for sale through eBay (Auction Link Here).

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History:  In 1983 the Dodgers traded for Rangers starting pitcher Rick Honeycutt.  In 1990 Jose Offerman became the first Dodger in franchise history to hit a home run in his very first Major League plate appearance.  In 2008 the Dodgers traded for Greg Maddux (for a second time) to help the team during their playoff run.  It would be several more weeks before the Dodgers finalize and publicly announce their plans to move to Los Angeles.
• Happy Birthday, Chris Capuano and Ron Roenicke!

Blog Kiosk: 11/1/2013 - Dodgers Links - Podres, Capuano, Mark Ellis and Happy Birthday Fernando

Happy Birthday!  El Toro turns 53 today.  Pic above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2012.

• Via Tom Bartsch at Sports Collectors Digest, "One Collector Still Honoring Dodgers Pitcher Johnny Podres".

“When I was in Little League, Johnny came to our games and would watch me pitch,” said Salerno, of Port Henry, N.Y. “That was a great thrill. I started collecting because he was so nice to me. He helped me get a lot of stuff and then signed everything for me.”

• Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Dodgers lead NL with 16 GIBBY nominations".
• Ken also provides some news on Capuano and Mark Ellis, via twitter.  I wouldn't be surprised to see Ellis stay with the Dodgers in a back-up role.  Capuano, on the other hand, is likely to go elsewhere.

• Nick Diunte at Examiner.com put together a great obituary on Bill Sharman; including nice details and quotes from former Baseball teammates.
• FYI, here is the schedule for the announcements of the various BBWAA awards; such as MVP, Cy Youngs, etc.

(twitter link)

• This is a clear sign of the lack of respect in our society today.  Via Bob Lemke, "Attempt made to steal (Lou) Gehrig's ashes".  Wha.....?
• Howard Foxx at Gunaxin Sports has put together a collection of photographs of athletes in their Halloween costumes.

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Blog Kiosk: 10/28/2013 - Dodgers Links - Guerrero, Pederson and the Essence of Baseball

In honor of the World Series here's a great pic of the Fenway Park crowd at the 1912 World Series.  Pic via Michael Beschloss on twitter.

• Eric Stephen at True Blue LA writes, "Dodgers winter league update: Joc Pederson on fire in Venezuela".
• Via Zach Links at MLB Trade Rumors, "Offseason Outlook: Los Angeles Dodgers".
• Alexander Guerrero heading to the Dominican Winter Leage, via JP Hoornstra on twitter.

Am told #Dodgers Alexander Guerrero plans to play in the Dominican Winter League; contract hasn't been approved by league's commissioner yet
— J.P. Hoornstra (@jphoornstra) October 27, 2013

• Masahiro Tanaka is considered the top Japanese ballplayer expected to sign with a MLB team this winter, and many believe the Dodgers are in the hunt.  Via a tweet from Bill Shaikin of the LA Times.

Just did interview with Japanese TV reporter who believes that Tanaka's top choices would be #Dodgers or #Yankees. Too soon to say for sure.
— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) October 27, 2013

• Ron Cervenka at Think Blue LA wonders, "Where does Chris Capuano go from here?" 
• Baseball America names Yasiel Puig and Hyun-Jin Ryu to their 2013 All-Rookie Team.
• This is excellent.  Via Craig Calcaterra at Hardball Talk, "The obstruction play provides a glimpse of the essence of baseball".

And what is baseball? A decidedly 19th century construct shaped by all manner of rules and conventions. A construct In which, unlike its 19th century contemporaries such as boxing, weightlifting or horse racing, physical prowess is nowhere as nearly close to everything. Rather, it’s about physical prowess being channeled alongside a set of ground rules and formalities that require the mind and discipline to work hand-in-hand with the body and its fast-twitch muscles. It’s a pursuit in which force being applied via instinct rather than calculation is almost always punished rather than rewarded.

• Via Mark Townsend at Big League Stew writes about the, "Dancing Royals fan featured in spoof baseball ad on 'Tonight Show'".

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Check out the Dodgers NLCS Roster

The Dodgers officially announced their NLDS roster for their match-up against the Cardinals, and it includes a couple of changes.

(graphic via @Dodgers on twitter)

Chris Capuano, used as a long-reliever for the Braves series, will not pitch against the Cardinals.  Considering how poorly he's done against them in his career this is probably for the best.  He has a lifetime ERA of 6.00 against them.  Below are his career stats against them.

Also out of the roster is lefty-reliever Paco Rodriguez.  As you know, he's struggled of late.  Over the last month of the regular season he has recorded an ERA of 5.68 and a batting average against of .308.  In the playoffs, he's given up 4 hits and 2 earned runs in less than an inning of play.  Leaving Paco of the roster effectively leaves us with just one lefty, JP Howell, in the bullpen.  So, this move has some risk.  On the other hand, maybe his 78 appearances this year has been too much of a grind on the 22 year old, and he needs some time off.

Coming onto the roser are right-handed relievers Carlos Marmol and Edinson Volquez.  Both players came to the Dodger late this season; Marmol via a trade with the Cubs for Guerrier and Volquez as a free agent after being dumped by the Padres.

Marmol has pitched surprisingly well during his approximate 3 months with the Dodgers; making 21 appearances with a 2.53 ERA.  He's even done well against the Cardinals in his career.  Check out his career stats against them below.

Edinson Volquez, on the other hand, has not pitched well this season.  In his 6 appearances (5 of which as a starter) in Blue he's given up 13 earned runs in 28 innings.  He likely replaces Capuano as our long-guy out of the 'pen. 

Tonight's game starts at 5:37 PM PST on TBS.  Zack Greinke will go against Joe Kelly. 

Be sure to get home to watch as early as you can.  Put up your shoes and pour a glass of your favorite drink.  Rest, relax and put your Blue on 'cause this game should be a fun one.

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Blog Kiosk: 9/26/2013 - Dodgers Links - A Postseason Rally, Ethier and Numata

Tim Wallach is hitting some balls during infield practice in the photo above.  Pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2013.

• Dodger postseason rally Sunday following final regular season game of the year.  Per a Dodgers press release:

  The Los Angeles Dodgers will hold a Postseason Rally following this Sunday's 1:10 p.m. regular-season finale against the Colorado Rockies in order to offer fans the opportunity to wish the Dodgers well prior to the start of postseason play. The Postseason Rally is free with a ticket for Sunday's game, which also is Fan Appreciation Day.

Dodger players, manager Don Mattingly and Hall of Famer Tommy Lasorda will partake in the Postseason Rally, which will be hosted by television talk show host Arsenio Hall. The Postseason Rally will include musical entertainment and a 2013 season highlights video that will be played on Dodger Vision.

In addition, immediately following Sunday's game, two of the final prizes on Fan Appreciation Day will be awarded-two Dodger season tickets for 2014 as well as an all-expenses paid trip to Australia for two to join the Dodgers for their season opening games with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

• Uh-Oh!  "Dodgers 'worried' over Ethier's playoff status," via Jorge Ortiz at USA Today.

The Los Angeles Dodgers manager said outfielder Andre Ethier has been sent back to L.A. for further tests on his sprained left ankle, which has sidelined him for all but one of the last 10 games.

• "When Blue Is Thicker Than Blood," via Lee Jenkins at Sports Illustrated. 
• "Value of Mark Ellis difficult to track," via Mark Saxon at ESPN.

Ellis is the least-flashy, least-obtrusive, lowest-maintenance everyday player on the Dodgers and, without many people knowing it, he's among the most valuable. On a team of brilliant athletes, $20 million-per-year salaries and puffed-out chests, Ellis falls under none of those categories. He's just a good player in all the ways most people don't bother to track. 

• "Capuano ready to return after fielding test," via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com.
• Orel at Sons of Steve Garvey Shares a pic of a deep-fried bacon Dodger Dog... Mmmm.
• Chad Moriyama has more information about the recent Takumi Numata signing from Japan and the problems it's causing.
• Please stop this.  "2 Arrested In Fatal Stabbing Of Dodgers Fan Following Giants Game," via CBS SF Bay Area.
• I love Sesame Street.

Video Link:

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Blog Kiosk: 9/14/2013 - Dodgers Links - A Julio Urias Baseball Card is Coming Soon, Dodger Injuries and Magic Johnson

Check out this awesome broken bat pic from Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2013.  See more of his photos from yesterday here.

• "Michael Young Hitting ‘em Hard," via Daniel Bailey at the Daily Gammons.

Here is a look at MLB’s batters with the highest line drive rates over the past 30 days. Michael Young of the Los Angeles Dodgers is leading the way.

• "Magic: 'I still pinch myself every day': Johnson discusses his love of being a Dodgers owner, hopes for the team and fans," via Barry Bloom at MLB.com.

MLB.com: How much fun is this, Earvin?
Johnson: You can't describe how much fun it is. First of all, to know that you are part-owner of the Dodgers, it just blows you away. I still pinch myself every day. I just can't believe it, you know? And then to have half a season last season, make nine changes [on the field] in a little bit more than half a season, and this season start off slow and now to be in first, playing some solid and good baseball -- this is all we wanted. We wanted it all for the fans and for the players.

• "Dodgers say Hanley Ramirez has irritated nerve in his back ," via Steve Dilbeck at the LA Times.  According to Tony Jackson at Dodger Scribe, he has a history of sciatica.  I know exactly how this feels.  You get this intense pinching nerve pain that runs from your back all the way down to your legs.  It can often be difficult to walk, as a result.
• The injuries are coming back.  Via Eric Stephens at True Blue LA, "Giants 4, Dodgers 2: Andre Ethier hurts ankle in loss".  He irritated his sprained ankle.
• "Dodgers' Chris Capuano suffers minor setback to bullpen debut ," via Steve Dilbeck at the LA Times.

“But the last couple felt like it wasn’t quite 100%,” he said. “The optimistic plan was to maybe be available Sunday or Monday out of the ’pen, but we’re going to give it a rest tomorrow and come get back on the mound Sunday or Monday one more time before we declare it ready for a game.”

• "Piquing too soon: Dodger injuries raise concerns," via Jon Weisman at Dodger Thoughts.
• Vladimir Guerrero has announced his retirement, via Jeff Todd at MLB Trade Rumors.
• The Chronicles of Fuji shows us the Yasiel Puig Sports Illustrated for Kids Baseball card he got in the September 2013 issue of magazine.
• Chris Olds at Beckett shares a bunch of preview pics from 2014 Bowman and it appears to include a Julio Urias autographed rookie card.

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Blog Kiosk: 9/5/2013 - Dodgers Links - Ryu's Next Start Delayed

Dodger players getting prepared for last nights game - the mile high stretch.  BTW, the Dodgers are off tonight.  Their magic number sits at 12.  Pic above via @Dodgers on twitter.

• "M. Ellis and wife helping make baseball safer," via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com.
• "Report: Dodger Stadium has nearly $4 million worth of liens against it," via Mike Oz at Big League Stew.  This sounds like a case of irrational screaming by the best gossip hounds in the business (TMZ) for the sake of getting hits.  I'm not worried about the Dodger finances, and I suspect this issue is just a little disagreement between the team and some contractors on the final bill.
• "Koufax on "Mister Ed," Big D with Greg Brady, and Hollywood's Love Affair with the Dodgers," via Howard Cole at LA Weekly.  He put together a great list of vintage Dodger players who have appeared on television.  It's a mighty long list.
• Hyun-Jin Ryu's next start has been pushed back.  Via @Dodgers & @KenGurnick on twitter:

Chris Capuano will start on Friday. RT @kengurnick: Ryu has a middle back stiffness after last start.
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 4, 2013

• Take a listen to Joe McDonnell's podcast with GM Ned Colletti, here.
• Gellman at Sports Cards Uncensored writes about the various Yasiel Puig autographed cards showing up on eBay.
• David Pinto at Baseball Musings explores the "Dodgers Turnaround".

In the second half, the hitters maintained their overall averages, while the pitchers simply shutdown the opposition with runners in scoring position. Due to their situational stats, the Dodgers looked worse through June 21st than their talent level, and they’ve looked better than their talent level since. This has to be one of the greatest examples of luck turning around in a short time frame that I’ve seen.

• Here's a cat... awwww!

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Blog Kiosk: 8/11/2013 - Dodgers Links - Nomo, Adrian Gonzalez MVP Season and Uribe Gets Tricked

Check out Nomo in his classic wind up.  Pic via Dodgers tumblr.  Here's a story from MLB.com by Ken Gurnick and Austin Laymance about Nomo's ceremony; including video.

• Orel Hershiser interview Clayton Kershaw for ESPN.  Watch the video here.
• Via Steve Dilbeck at the LA Times, "Comeback heightens Dodgers' feeling something special is going on".

“I’ve thought something was going on here for the last three weeks, but it was incredible,” Punto said. “The crowd was incredible. I think the fans are feeling what we’ve been feeling for a month inside the clubhouse.

“Now the fans are really getting involved. I was standing on second base in the ninth inning and it was deafening how loud the crowd was. A lot of excitement in this clubhouse and in L.A. -- and for good reason.”

• "Dodgers praise mound work after soccer events," via Ken Gurnick and Austin Laymance at MLB.com.

"It felt normal to me," Capuano said. "I wasn't aware of anything. I knew we had soccer games, but I didn't think about it at all, that's how good a job they did."

• Who says the Dodgers can't be a victim to a gaffe, here and there.  Via Ross Gasmer at Dodger Nation, "Video: Dodgers’ Juan Uribe Victim Of Hidden Ball Trick By Rays".
• Ken Gurnick at MLB.com has some Dodger quotes about yesterday's hidden ball trick.

"I was watching it, and I didn't know what to do to stop it," said pitcher Zack Greinke, who was on deck. "I didn't want to yell at Uribe, because I might get him off [the bag]. I didn't know what to do. He just lifted his foot for a tenth of a second and [Longoria] was ready for it."

• Tony Jackson at Dodger Scribe shares a video from Hideo Nomo's press conference yesterday.  He also has video with Zack Greinke from after the game.
• Roberto at Vin Scully is My Homeboy tells us about Tommy Davis signing later this afternoon at Manuel's El Tepeyac in the City of Industry.
• "Adrian Gonzalez is doing MVP-type stuff," via Mark Saxon at ESPN.

"I try to talk about it enough to let people know," Mattingly said. "He and Mark Ellis are kind of bread and butter, right? They're there for the most part all the time, they do their thing and you don't really notice them because they're not real flashy, but it's kind of been all year long. 

• Can Yasiel Puig win the batting title?  Via David Pinto at Baseball Musings.
• Ken Levine writes, "How the isotopes really got their name".

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13 Straight Road Wins Sets New Dodgers Fanchise Record - Puig Injures Hand

The Dodgers just keep rolling.

With Chris Capuano on the mound, the Dodgers held off the Cubs for a 3-0 victory.  It was an impressive win that saw clutch pitching and great defense. 

Capuano went a scoreless 6 1/3 innings, while the relief staff ably handled the Cubs.  Brandon League came in to help Capuano out of a jam the 7th inning, and continued to show that he is back.  He got a inning ending double play in a high pressure situation.  The Dodgers defense recorded 4 double plays, and at least one highlight reel diving catch. 

Yasiel Puig, once again a huge factor on the field, caught a falling line drive off the bat of Starlin Castro in the 7th inning.  (Watch it here)  As you can see, he jammed his glove hand into the turf and would eventually leave the game early with a left thumb contusion.  Of specials note, Puig also almost made spectacular catch in the 3rd inning.  With Samardzija at the plate, Puig came in contact with the right field wall to almost catch a foul ball.  As replays show (see it here), Puig first deflected the ball of the wall, but caught it as it came down.  At first the umpires ruled it a catch, but after a discussion they ruled it foul.

This victory marks the 13th straight road victory for the Dodgers, and establishes a new franchsie record - eclipsing a mark originally set in 1924.

A franchise record 13 straight road wins for the #Dodgers.
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 3, 2013

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Following up on the Puig injury to his glove hand, he is now listed as day-to-day.  Currently, Puig is wearing a brace.  This is evidenced by several pics that have shown up on twitter.

On Saturday night, Puig was scheduled as a special guest for Panini America's VIP reception dinner during the National Sports Collectors Convention that is being held in Chicago.  He, along with other stars like Pedro Martinez, Johnny Damon, and Chris Chelios (hockey), would be meeting with Panini's best customers for a private "meet, greet & signing". 

As you can see in the photo below tweeted by @PaniniAmerica, Yasiel Puig is currently wearing the brace.

PUIG!!!! @PaniniAmerica!!!! #PaniniVIP Party!!!! pic.twitter.com/zU3HjiQZtf
— Panini America (@PaniniAmerica) August 4, 2013

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Blog Kiosk: 6/3/2013 - Dodgers Links

"It's Kersh-Awesome Baby!"  Check out Dick Vitale with Clayton Kershaw, pic via @Dodgers on twitter.

• Stephen Fife is expected to pitch today, in place of ailing Chris Capuano.  Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com.

It will be the second consecutive game in which the Dodgers need to promote a Minor Leaguer as an emergency replacement for an injured starting pitcher. On Sunday, Matt Magill took the loss, filling in for Hyun-Jin Ryu, who has a sore foot.

• Congrats, Elian Herrera.  Via a tweet from the Isotopes GM John Traub.

• Via Josie Becker at True Blue LA, "Walter O'Malley's 1957 minor league purchase: A pictorial essay".
• Jon Weisman at Dodger Thoughts puts together another must read, entitled "Saviors".

Seven years ago, Kemp was Puig – the raw kid with talent to burn and lessons to learn. Puig, like Kemp did when he hit the majors at age 21 in 2006, has a hugely bright future. But anyone putting their faith in Puig will almost certainly at some point need a level of patience that many fans have denied Kemp whenever he has struggled, no matter how much he has done for his team. 

• Via Jeff Passan at Yahoo Sports, "10 Degrees: Will Carlos Quentin get comeuppance sooner than later against the Dodgers?"  Stoking those fires, eh?

"We will get him," he said. "It may not be next time we see him. It may not be the time after that. It may not be two times after that. But we will get him. I promise."

Baseball has a very long memory. One former player loves to tell the story about holding a grudge for a decade, letting it fester, exacting his vengeance with a strategic elbow to the groin on a takeout slide and walking away from the doubled-over second baseman saying, "That was for 10 years ago."

• Via Josh Vitale at MLB.com, A 111-year old fan visits Yankee Stadium and chats about Baseball.  This man remembers shaking Babe Ruth's hand.

"I shook his hand and he said, 'My greatest admirer, my youngest admirer,'" LaPallo said. "I remember that like yesterday."

• Here's a funny video.  During a Collegiate NCAA Baseball tournament game in Fullerton this weekend a big husky invaded the field for his 15 minutes of fame.  Check it out here at Beer Mug Sports.  Oh... And, Go Titans!!!  CSU, Fullerton won that game, 1 to 0.
• Wow.  Via Tony Mangia at The Other Paper we find out that Pete Rose pulls $1Mil a year signing his autograph in Las Vegas.

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Dropping Like Flies, Billingsley to DL

Just when you thought it couldn't possibly get any worse, another shoe drops.  Announced this morning, Chad Billingsley has been placed on the 15-day Disabled List due to elbow pain.

This is our 3rd starting pitcher to land on the DL for the Dodgers this month.  Chris Capuano went down last week due to a strained left calf muscle, and Zack Greinke broke his collarbone in that little scuffle against the Padres.

As I'm sure you'll recall, the Dodgers kept a overfilled stable of starting pitchers this past Spring, as questions about health struck management as a concern.  Well, I guess that fear was not unfounded.  Considering the situation, I guess we shouldn't have traded Harang, eh?

Chad Billingsley has had the specter of Tommy John surgery hanging over his head all winter long, and it looks like it has decided to rear its ugly head again.  If the elbow pain continues, I suspect he'll be done for the season.

Billingsley contract extends til the end of the 2014 season, and there is a team option for 2015.  If he has surgery soon then I wouldn't expect to see him pitch again until next season, and he wouldn't likely be himself until 2015.  That being said, we may have seen the last of him as a decent starting pitcher in Dodger Blue.

Coming up from Albuquerque will be Stephen Fife. From the Dodgers press release:

In 2012, Fife made five starts with the Dodgers, going 0-2 with a 2.70 ERA (8 ER/26.2 IP) and a .255 opponents' batting average. In three starts with the Isotopes this season, the 26-year-old is 1-1 with a 4.61 ERA (7 ER/13.2 IP) and 14 strikeouts.

Fife pitched well this past spring, going 0-2 with a 2.70 ERA.  He pitched 26.2 innings, struck out 20 and had a ERA+ of 143.

Photo Credit Above: Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2013:

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Blog Kiosk: 3/26/2013

The LA Kings and Galaxy are at the White House to meet the President today.  Check out a pic above tweeted by Philip Pritchard- the Keeper of the Cup.  You can watch it live today at 10:35 AM at this link.

From a story written by John Hoven at Mayor's Manor about todays event:

“Dewey probably doesn’t know who the President is,” (Colin) Fraser said of defenseman Drew Doughty. “I bet you he doesn’t even know who the Prime Minister is either.”

• Chris Olds at Beckett writes about, "Collecting '42' via its Baseball cards and its Stars".
• Is Jon Weisman at Dodger Thoughts back?  He pens a recent piece on his blog focused on a potential free agent pickup next winter.
• JP Hoornstra tells us on twitter that Matt Kemp will be on Sesame Street on Thursday.  See a preview right here.  In it, Abby attaches different things to Matt Kemp's baseball jersey.
• Emma at Dodger Blue World continues on with her series of biographies on all living Brooklyn Dodgers' players with Tom Thompson.
• Chris Capuano appears to be a main trade target as 4 teams scout out a recent pitching performance, via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA.
• Don Mattingly Earns First Spring Ejection, via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com.

"Really, I wasn't even mad," said Mattingly. "You think he might want to check. It wasn't so obvious that he didn't need to check. He told me I was arguing balls and strikes. I said, 'What are you going to do? Throw me out of a bleeping Spring Training game?' And he did."

• Roberto at Vin Scully is My Homeboy put up a bunch of videos featuring Magic Johnson being interviewed by Power 106.
• Magic was also on Conan's show last night.  Watch it here.
• Take my word for it.  The video below is worth your time to watch.  Listen to a cover of Voodoo Chile by Jimmy Hendrix, as played by Luna on a Gayageum (which is an Asian instrument that you may recognize from  King Fu Hustle).  This lady rips on that thing.

Video Link:

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Dodgers Notes from Spring Training: Spring Game 31 | Road Game 15

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.

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LOS ANGELES DODGERS (11-16-3) vs. Kansas City Royals (21-6-1)
Monday, March 25, 2013 – 6:05 p.m. | Surprise Stadium
RHP Zack Greinke (0-0, 3.60) vs. RHP Wade Davis (3-0, 1.00)
TV: None | Radio: KLAC

(twitter link: @Dodgers)

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

(pic credit: Puig and Ethier: Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2013)

SHADES OF BLUE: The Dodgers play the Royals for the third and final time this spring after beating Kansas City, 8-1, on March 15 at Camelback Ranch and losing, 7-2, on March 20 in Surprise. The clubs haven’t met in the regular season since 2005 and the Royals hold a 4-2 advantage in the all-time series.

• The Dodgers will open the 2013 season against the Giants in just one week, April 1 at Dodger Stadium!
• Los Angeles continues to lead National League clubs with a .350 on-base percentage and 97 walks this spring. Once on base, the Dodgers have been active on the basepaths, leading the NL with 35 steals.
• On the mound, Dodger pitchers have struck out a Major League-best 240 batters.

ON THE HILL: Tonight, Zack Greinke will face the Royals, who originally selected him with the sixth overall pick in the 2002 First-Year Player Draft. Greinke pitched in Kansas City for seven seasons from 2004-2010, compiling a 60-67 record with a 3.82 ERA and winning the 2009 Cy Young Award, before he was traded to Milwaukee in December 2010. He will make his third start of the spring and his first since March 1 after battling the flu and right elbow inflammation. Greinke last pitched on March 20 in a minor league game, throwing 43 pitches in 4.0 scoreless innings. He allowed one hit, hit a batter and struck out two in the outing.

• Greinke faced the Royals twice last season, allowing just two combined runs in 15.1 innings (1.17 ERA) in a pair of no-decisions.
• Earlier today, Chris Capuano pitched in a minor league game on the back fields against the Indians. He threw 85 pitches in 7.0 scoreless innings, allowing three hits, hitting a batter and striking out 11.

LEADERBOARD: Yasiel Puig went 0-for-2 yesterday, but continues to lead the Majors with a .527 batting average and 29 hits. Puig leads the NL with a .509 on-base percentage and ranks second with an .855 slugging percentage. He also ranks third with 16 runs scored.

• Dee Gordon leads the NL with seven steals and is tied for fourth in the NL with 10 walks.
• Clayton Kershaw ranks fourth among NL pitchers with 28 strikeouts and Hyun-Jin Ryu ranks fifth with 23 Ks this spring.

(pic credit: Carl Crawford: Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2013)

FEELS LIKE ONLY YESTERDAY: Carl Crawford and Andre Ethier homered, but the Dodgers fell, 7-4, to Oakland yesterday at Phoenix Municipal Stadium.  Josh Beckett, who entered the game with a 0.96 Cactus League ERA, was tagged for seven runs on six hits and three walks in 4.0 innings in a losing effort, but the Dodger bullpen was able to keep it close with Kevin Gregg (1.00 ERA), Ronald Belisario (2.70 ERA), Paco Rodriguez (1.80) and Josh Wall (4.22 ERA) each throwing a scoreless inning of relief.

• With two hits yesterday (2-for-3), Carl Crawford raised his batting average to .333 (6-for-18) in six games this spring. Crawford played 5.0 innings in the field yesterday without issue and is penciled back in the leadoff spot in left field in Don Mattingly’s lineup tonight.
• After his home run yesterday, Andre Ethier is also batting .333 (14-for-42) in 17 games this spring with a .417 on-base percentage and a .619 slugging percentage. Of Ethier’s 14 hits, eight have gone for extra bases (five doubles, two triples and a home run).

BIRTHDAY BOY:  The Dodgers would like to wish a very happy 26th birthday to left-hander Hyun-Jin Ryu! Ryu has gone 2-2 with a 3.86 ERA in six games (five starts) in his first Major League Spring Training and is scheduled to make one final tuneup on Thursday against the Angels in Anaheim in the Freeway Series opener.

HOME SICK:  The Dodgers will return to Southern California on Thursday for a split-squad exhibition game at The Epicenter against the Single-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes at 6:05 p.m. and a contest against the Angels in Anaheim for the first game of the three-game exhibition Freeway Series set for 7:05 p.m. at Angel Stadium. The Freeway Series continues Friday with a 7:10 p.m. game at Dodger Stadium and wraps up Saturday with a 6:05 p.m. game in Anaheim.

• The split squad of Dodgers heading to Rancho Cucamonga, headlined by Adrian Gonzalez and Luis Cruz, will be managed by Hall of Famer Tommy Lasorda. Tickets to the exhibition game can be purchased at www.rcquakes.com.

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Dodgers Notes from Spring Training: Spring Game 25/ Home Game 13

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.

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

Oakland Athletics (9-11-2) vs. LOS ANGELES DODGERS (8-13-3)
Tuesday, March 19, 2013 – 1:05 p.m. | Camelback Ranch - Glendale
RHP Dan Straily (1-1, 6.52) vs. LHP Chris Capuano (0-1, 10.61)
TV: Dodgers.com Webcast | Radio: None

(twitter link: @Dodgers)

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(pic credit: Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2013)

NORTH VS. SOUTH: The Dodgers play their California neighbors to the north, the Oakland Athletics, today at Camelback Ranch – Glendale. The A’s swept the Dodgers last year in Oakland and hold a 9-16 advantage in the all-time regular season series. The clubs have met twice in the World Series, splitting their 10 games, with the A’s winning the 1974 Fall Classic and Los Angeles claiming the title in 1988.  The Dodgers and Athletics will meet one more time during Cactus League play with a second meeting on Sunday at Phoenix Municipal Stadium.

• The Dodgers made three roster moves today, optioning infielder Justin Sellers and right-handed pitcher Shawn Tolleson to minor league camp and reassigning catcher Jesus Flores to minor league camp. The Dodgers have 40 players remaining in big league camp.

OLD MAN: The Dodgers would like to wish left-hander Clayton Kershaw a happy 25th birthday today! The Texas native has posted a 61-37 record with a 2.79 ERA in 151 career games (149 starts) since making his big league debut in 2008 and ranks among active MLB pitchers (min. 750.0 innings) in ERA (2nd behind Mariano Rivera, 2.21), opponents’ batting average (.215, 3rd behind Joe Nathan and Mariano Rivera), strikeouts per 9.0 innings (9.29, 4th), WHIP (1.14, 4th), home runs per 9.0 innings (0.59, 3rd) and winning percentage (.622, 12th).

• Kershaw already ranks 14th on the Dodgers’ all-time strikeout list with 974 career Ks in 944.0 innings, leaving him just 26 shy of joining the 1,000-strikeout club.
• Kershaw is scheduled to make his third consecutive Opening Day start against the Giants on April 1, just 13 days away!

AROUND THE WORLD: Last night, the Dominican Republic advanced to tonight’s World Baseball Classic championship game by defeating the Netherlands, 4-1, with Hanley Ramirez going 1-for-3 with a walk. After joining Team Netherlands in San Francisco for the semifinal round, Kenley Jansen did not appear in the game and reported back to Dodger camp today.

• The Dodger organization will be well represented in tonight’s championship with four players participating; minor league RHP Angel Castro (Dominican Republic), SS Hanley Ramirez (Dominican Republic), minor league RHP Andres Santiago (Puerto Rico) and minor league RHP Mario Santiago (Puerto Rico).

KING OF THE HILL: Left-hander Chris Capuano will make his fourth appearance of the spring (third start) after allowing five runs on six hits in 4.1 innings in his last start, Thursday against the Cubs. Capuano, 34, went 12-12 with a career-low 3.72 ERA last season in 33 starts with the Dodgers.

(pic credit: Lasorda & Steve Sax: Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2013)

FEELS LIKE ONLY YESTERDAY: The Dodgers pounded out 12 hits yesterday, but fell, 5-3, to the Diamondbacks in Glendale. Carl Crawford made his second start of the spring as the designated hitter and picked up his first two hits, going 2-for-3 with a two-run single in the fifth inning. Adrian Gonzalez went 2-for-3 with a double for his second multi-hit game in a row, raising his Cactus League batting average to .300 in 12 games.

• Yasiel Puig is tied for fifth in the NL with 19 hits and is tied for fourth with 11 runs scored.
• Dee Gordon leads the NL with seven steals and is tied for third on the circuit eight walks.
• The Dodgers continue to rank second among NL clubs with a .285 team batting average and a .349 on-base percentage this spring.

GIVING BACK: Today, the Dodgers will host local youth from the Holiday Park Little League and Glendale Youth Project for a Spring Training game and baseball clinic. Dodger infielder Dee Gordon, outfielder Alex Castellanos and coach Manny Mota will conduct the clinic for approximately 60 youngsters from a low-income area of Glendale. The clinic will take place in the outfield of the main stadium shortly after the conclusion of today’s game.

TUCSON-OLOGY:  Yesterday, the Dodgers held their annual Tucson-ology draft to determine who would make the trip to Tucson on Thursday to play in the Christina-Taylor Green Memorial Foundation benefit game against the Cubs. The lucky winners were Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier, Mark Ellis, A.J. Ellis, Nick Punto, Skip Schumaker and Stephen Fife, who will make the start.

• This will mark the Dodgers’ third annual benefit game in Tucson dating to 2011, when the Dodgers and Arizona Diamondbacks played a similar benefit game in Tucson with all proceeds going to the Tucson Together Fund. In addition, The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation, in partnership with the Diamondbacks, dedicated a Dodgers Dreamfield in Oro Valley, AZ on a field that was re-named in memory of Christina-Taylor Green.

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Dodgers Notes from Spring Training: Spring Game 18/ Home Game 9

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.

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Chicago Cubs (7-11-1) at LOS ANGELES DODGERS (6-8-3)
Thursday, March 14, 2013 – 1:05 p.m. | Camelback Ranch - Glendale
LHP Chris Rusin (1-0, 1.13) vs. LHP Chris Capuano (0-0, 10.80)
TV: None | Radio: None

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(pic link: twitter @Dodgers)

BACK AT THE RANCH: The Dodgers play their ninth Cactus League home game this afternoon, taking on the Chicago Cubs for the third time this spring. Previously, the Dodgers knocked off the Cubs, 7-6 at Camelback Ranch - Glendale on Feb. 25 and, 11-7, in Mesa on Feb. 27. The two teams will also square off on March 21 during a special charity game in Tucson to benefit the Christina-Taylor Green Foundation. When the regular season begins, the Dodgers and Cubs will meet seven times, beginning Aug. 1-4 at Wrigley Field and then from Aug. 26-28 at Dodger Stadium. Los Angeles won the season series, 4-2, last season and according to the Elias Sports Bureau, the Dodgers hold a slim, 1,028-1,023-14, advantage in the franchises’ 2,065 all-time meetings. In case you were wondering, there are just 17 days until Opening Day!

TURN IT AROUND: The Dodgers fell to the Reds in Goodyear on Tuesday night, 6-2, before enjoying an off day Wednesday. The club has lost two straight after going unbeaten in its previous four contests.

• The Dodgers still lead all National League teams with a .292 batting average this spring and rank second with a .360 on-base percentage. The club’s 21 stolen bases lead all National League teams and are tied for second in baseball. The Dodgers are paced by Dee Gordon’s six steals, which lead the NL this spring. 
• Today, Dodger outfielder Carl Crawford will be the designated hitter in a game against Japan’s Meiji University Baseball Club.

THE WORLD IS WATCHING: Congratulations to Dodger infielder Nick Punto on Italy’s successful and surprising run in the World Baseball Classic. Unfortunately for Punto, Puerto Rico’s come-from-behind victory yesterday knocked the Italians out and he will be back in camp tomorrow. Punto hit .421 (8-for-19) with two doubles and five runs scored in five WBC games. 

• Hanley Ramirez is 2-for-11 with five walks and a .412 OBP in four tournament games for the Dominican Republic thus far. Today at 4 p.m., the D.R. will take on the United States with the winner qualifying for the semi-finals in San Francisco. 

(pic link: The Kersahw's @ellenkershaw)

MEET THE HURLERS: LHP Chris Capuano will make his third official Cactus League appearance and second start this afternoon. Capuano has given up six runs in 5.0 innings of work and last pitched on March 2 according to the books. However, the southpaw did pitch 4.0 innings against the Reds on March 8 (allowing one run) before the contest was cancelled due to rain.

• Dodger reliever and the most interesting man in baseball, Matt Guerrier, will toe the rubber for the fifth time this spring today. Guerrier has posted an ERA of 4.50, allowing two runs in 4.0 innings while striking out five.
• RHP Mark Lowe is set to make his team-high sixth appearance vs. the Cubs today. Lowe has allowed four runs in 5.0 innings and the opposition is hitting .364 against him.  
• Also making his team-leading sixth appearance will be RHP Kevin Gregg, who has been lights out thus far in the Cactus League. Gregg has tossed 5.0 scoreless innings and yielded just one hit without walking a batter.
• Dodger reliever Ronald Belisario is back in Spring Training action today as he is scheduled to make his first appearance since leaving for the WBC on March 2. Belisario has given up two runs in 2.2 innings over three Cactus League games this spring.

THE FUTURE IS NOW:  Registration is now available for the 2013 Dodgers Youth Baseball Camp, benefiting the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation, which will be held June 25-28 (Session 1) and August 9, 12-14 (Session 2) at Dodger Stadium. Register your child today at www.dodgers.com/camp. The camp will feature instruction by Dodger coaches and alumni with special visits by current Dodger players. Enrollment is open to boys and girls, ages 7-12.

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Dodgers Notes from Spring Training: Spring Game 14/ Home Game 8

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.

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Seattle Mariners (11-3) vs. LOS ANGELES DODGERS (4-6-3)
Saturday, March 9, 2013 – 1:05 p.m. | Camelback Ranch - Glendale
RHP Aaron Harang (1-0, 18.00) vs. RHP Jon Garland (1-0, 0.00)
TV: Dodgers.com Webcast | Radio: KTNQ

(twitter link)

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(pic link: Mattingley: Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2013)

PLAY BALL!: The Dodgers take on the Mariners for the second of three times this spring after falling to Seattle, 9-5, last Saturday in Peoria. The clubs will meet one final time on March 27 in Peoria in the Dodgers’ Cactus League finale. Los Angeles was no-hit by six Seattle pitchers (including current Dodger Brandon League) on June 8, 2012, but bounced back to take two of three from the Mariners last season at Safeco Field. The Mariners, however, hold a 13-12 advantage in 25 all-time meetings between the clubs.

• Matt Kemp is the designated hitter in the Dodger lineup today and will be the club’s last DH of the spring as pitchers are expected to start hitting in tomorrow’s game against the Rockies at Talking Stick.

THAT NEVER HAPPENED: The Dodgers were washed out in both games yesterday with the club leading both games at the time of cancellation due to rain. In Scottsdale, Los Angeles led 3-0 when the game was banged in the second inning, while in Glendale the Dodgers held a 3-1 advantage over the Reds when the tarp crew was summoned. Chris Capuano was among the notable performances against the Reds that won’t show up on a stat sheet, allowing one run on two hits with three strikeouts in 4.0 innings, along with Dee Gordon (1-for-2, 2B, SB) and Scott Van Slyke (1-for-2, 2B, 2 RBI).

• A number of Dodgers continue to rank among the National League leaders with Yasiel Puig batting .423 on the spring (8th, NL), Dee Gordon stealing five bases (1st, NL) and Jeremy Moore pacing the circuit in doubles (5, NL). In addition, Gordon is tied for the NL lead with six walks, and Andre Ethier’s two triples are tied for tops in the NL.
• The Dodgers continue to lead all National League clubs with a .307 team batting average and a .386 team on-base percentage through 13 Cactus League games.

EXTRA ARMS: Tommy Davis will throw a ceremonial first pitch prior to this afternoon’s game against the Mariners. Davis, a two-time NL batting champion in 1962 and 1963, is in camp this weekend along with Ron Cey as a guest instructor. The three-time All-Star played in 18 Major League seasons, including eight seasons in Dodger blue from 1959-66.

• Tonight, Hall of Fame Manager Tommy Lasorda will have first pitch honors at the World Baseball Classic game between the United States and Italy at 7:00 pm at Chase Field.

(pic link: Cey: Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2013)

VIVA LOS DODGERS: Dodger players continued to play key roles in the World Baseball Classic yesterday with Luis Cruz and Adrian Gonzalez combining to drive in all five Team Mexico runs in its 5-2 win over the United States last night. Gonzalez, who reached base four times, had three RBI, including a two-run homer off R.A. Dickey in the third inning. Mexico takes on Canada today at 12:30 pm in its third and final game in pool play.

• Team Italy continues to be the talk of the tournament and yesterday, Nick Punto went 2-for-4 with two runs scored in Italy’s 14-4 win over Canada. Italy wraps up pool play with a game against Team USA tonight at 7:00 pm.
• Hanley Ramirez and the Dominican Republic also return to action this morning at 9:00 am against Spain, while Ronald Belisario and Venezuela take on Puerto Rico at 3:30 pm.

HILLTOPPERS: RHP Aaron Harang last pitched on Monday, tossing 3.0 scoreless innings in a minor league game. The 34-year-old has made just one official Cactus League appearance this spring, allowing four runs on five hits in 2.0 innings, but picking up the win on Feb. 27 against the Cubs in Mesa.

• RHP Brandon League will make his third “official” appearance of the spring, but last pitched on Wednesday with a scoreless inning against Team Mexico at Camelback Ranch. The former Mariner faced his old ‘mates on Saturday in Peoria in his last Cactus League appearance, allowing three runs (one earned) in 1.0 inning.
• RHP Kenley Jansen last pitched on Wednesday with two strikeouts in a scoreless frame against Team Mexico. He has made only one “official” appearance this spring with a scoreless inning against the Giants on Feb. 26.
• LHP J.P. Howell fired a 1-2-3 inning against Team Mexico on Wednesday in his last appearance after allowing two runs in 2.0 innings in his two Cactus League outings.

(pic link: Ryu & Ishibashi: Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2013)

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