Fare Thee Well, Juan Uribe

There isn't much more I can say that others haven't already written.  The departure of Juan Uribe is a painful one, and it's weird saying that after witnessing his first two years of futility with the Dodgers.  But, like a neighbor who always stops bye unexpectedly you start to miss the impact a player like Uribe has when he's gone.  

They'll be no more Uribear for fans to cheer.  Hyun-Jin Ryu won't have the big fellow around to goof on.  Yasiel Puig is losing a close confidant in the clubhouse.  As Clayton Kershaw said during his recent MVP Award acceptance speech:

“Thank you for making me laugh. You are one of the most important people in our clubhouse.”

Important, he was.

(pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2015)

He was lighthearted and cheerful.  Always smiling and an consummate professional on the field. 

And now, all I can do is wish him well at his new home. 

He has now been officially traded to the Atlanta Braves, and we got a whole bucket of balls for him. 

I'm being facetious, of course. 

Per a Dodgers press release:

The Los Angeles Dodgers today acquired infielder Alberto Callaspo, left-handed reliever Ian Thomas, minor league right-handed pitcher Juan Jaime and left-handed pitcher Eric Stults from the Atlanta Braves in exchange for infielder Juan Uribe and right-handed pitcher Chris Withrow, who was on the 60-day disabled list. Callaspo will be in uniform for the Dodgers tonight, wearing No. 5, while Los Angeles optioned Thomas to Triple-A Oklahoma City, assigned Jaime to extended Spring Training in Arizona and designated Stults for assignment.

I can't really muster up the strength to tell you more about the players we got, and I certainly don't have the time to make some new fantasy cards - maybe in a few days.  All I can do right now is share what is my favorite Uribe moment, or series of moments as it were, that I experienced as a fan.

I think what I enjoyed most was Uribe's immense wardrobe of outrageous outfits.  He seemed to always be wearing something strange, and I loved seeing photos of them online.  Below are a few of my favorites.

(pic via @Dodgers on twitter)

(pic via Enrique Rojas of ESPN on twitter)

(pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014)

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Dodgers Notes from Spring Training: Spring Game 32 / Road Game 17

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 (16-9-6) vs. Kansas City Royals (18-10)
Wednesday, April 1, 2015 – 12:05 p.m. MT | Surprise Stadium

LHP Clayton Kershaw (3-0, 1.86) vs. RHP Yordano Ventura (1-0, 5.14)
TV: SNLA

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

(Joe Wieland, pic via @Dodgers on twitter)

GETAWAY DAY: The Dodgers take on the Royals today in Surprise in their Arizona exhibition finale, with many of the regulars having already made their way back to Los Angeles ahead of tomorrow’s Freeway Series opener in Anaheim. Yesterday, the Dodgers wrapped up a 15-game slate at Camelback Ranch - Glendale, establishing records in both total attendance (147,066, besting previous high of 136,944 set in 2009) and average attendance (9,804, beating 2014 average of 9,534). In its seventh season playing at Camelback Ranch, the club posted four sellouts and eight of its 15 home games drew crowds of more than 10,000 fans.

• Los Angeles has the National League’s top winning percentage this spring at .640 (16-9-6) and has already established a record with six ties.
• This is not an April Fool’s Joke, Opening Day is just FIVE days away!

90 FEET AWAY: The Dodgers came up just short yesterday, leaving the tying and winning runs in scoring position in the ninth, and fell, 2-1, to the White Sox at Camelback Ranch. Chris Heisey’s fifth-inning home run provided the Dodgers’ lone run in support of starter Joe Wieland, who took the loss after allowing just two runs in 5.0 strong innings.

• Yimi Garcia struck out the side in the eighth inning and has allowed just one run, while striking out 12, in 9.1 innings this spring.

B.A.T.-TER UP: On Monday, the Baseball Assistance Team (B.A.T.) announced that more than 1,400 players, coaches and managers for all 30 MLB clubs collectively pledged a record donation of $2,643,195 to the organization, which is dedicated to confidentially assisting members of the baseball family who are in need with nowhere else to turn. Additionally, the Dodgers (NL) and Tigers (AL) were recognized as the recipients of the Bobby Murcer Award for their generosity and committing the most money to the charity. It’s the fourth time that the Dodgers have won the award (also: 2010, 2011, 2013).

(Metal Detectors at Dodger Stadium, pic via @Dodgers on twitter)

SAFETY FIRST: Dodger fans will experience new security procedures set forth by Major League Baseball beginning with the Freeway Series finale on Saturday, April 4 with the Angels and running through the 2015 MLB season. MLB will be implementing new mandatory security procedures through a metal detector-enhanced screening process. This procedure, which resulted from a recent study of best security practices and MLB’s continuing work with the Department of Homeland Security to elevate and standardize initiatives across the game, will be in addition to bag checks that have been uniform throughout MLB.  Fan screening may be conducted by means of hand-held metal detection or walk-through magnetometers. These procedures were utilized periodically at certain gates during the 2014 season and all 30 Major League Baseball teams will institute these procedures this year.

FOLLOW THE CACTUS LEADERS: The Dodgers have blasted a Major League-leading 46 home runs (three more than the Cubs’ 43) and have a .286 team batting average (3rd, NL) with a .487 slugging percentage (2nd, NL) this spring.

• Joc Pederson continues to rank among the NL leaders this spring in batting average (.368, 6th), slugging percentage (.754, 1st), hits (21, T-5th), runs (13, T-2nd), total bases (43, 2nd) and home runs (6, T-2nd).
• Justin Turner has hit safely in 15 of his last 16 games and is batting .477 with six doubles, three homers and eight RBI, while posting a .500 on-base percentage and a .818 slugging percentage in 18 Cactus League games. Turner’s 21 hits this spring tie for fifth-most in the NL.
• Yasiel Puig ranks among the NL’s best this spring in home runs (5, T-4th) and RBI (13, T-10th); Kiké Hernandez places among the league’s best in home runs (5, T-4th) and runs scored (12, T-6th).

HAPPY HAPPY!: The Dodgers would like to wish a very happy birthday to Chris Withrow, who turns 26 today! Withrow will start the season on the 60-day disabled list as he continues to rehab from Tommy John surgery and offseason back surgery.

ON THE MOUND: LHP Clayton Kershaw will make his final start of the spring today and is expected to throw about 45 pitches. The 27-year-old last pitched on Sunday against the White Sox, allowing just one run on four hits and striking out eight in 6.0 innings and will make his fourth consecutive Opening Day start on Monday against the Padres. Kershaw is the only pitcher from big league camp heading to Surprise today and will be followed to the mound by minor leaguers.

• Zack Greinke will make his final tuneup of the spring this morning in a minor league intrasquad game, expected to start at 10:00 a.m. on Field 1 at Camelback Ranch.

(McCarthy, Kershaw, Anderson & Greinke, pic via @Dodgers on twitter)

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Dodgers Notes from Spring Training: Pitchers & Catchers Workout #2

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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(Manny Mota's tryke, via Eric Stephen on twitter)

WE LOVE LA: Today marked the second day of workouts for pitchers and catchers at Camelback Ranch – Glendale. Position players report on Wednesday, with the first full-squad workout of 2015 scheduled for Thursday.

• Hyun-Jin Ryu, J.P. Howell, David Aardsma, Paco Rodriguez, Pedro Baez, Mike Bolsinger, Yimi Garcia, Julio Urias, Zach Lee, Chris Anderson and Chris Reed all threw their first “official” bullpens of the spring.
• It was announced today that right-hander Zack Greinke was given a lubricating injection in his right elbow on Thursday as part of his preseason conditioning. He is expected to be back on his normal routine in a few days.  Ken Gurnick at MLB.com has more information, here.

"It's been part of the play for him, but we waited a couple days because we wanted the doc to see him," said manager Don Mattingly.

• A number of position players reported to camp early for voluntary workouts, including Adrian Gonzalez, Juan Uribe, Yasiel Puig, Joc Pederson, Justin Turner, Darwin Barney, Scott Van Slyke, Scott Schebler, Corey Seager, Erisbel Arruebarrena, Kike Hernandez, Matt Carson and O’Koyea Dickson.

(pic via Bill Plunkett on twitter)

GETTING BEACHY IN LA: Today, the Dodgers announced the signing of free-agent right-handed pitcher Brandon Beachy (#37) to a one-year contract with a club option for 2016. Beachy missed last season due to a March 21, 2014 Tommy John surgery, but pitched very well in 46 Major League starts for the Braves from 2010-2013, going 14-11 with a 3.23 ERA. He has limited opposing hitters to a .220 batting average and posted a 3.20 strikeout-to-walk ratio, striking out 275 and walking only 86. The 28-year-old Indiana native had a breakout year in 2011, going 7-3 with a 3.68 ERA in 25 starts with the Braves. His 169 strikeouts in 141.2 innings led the club and placed second among big league rookies in 2011, with his average of 10.74 strikeouts per nine innings ranking as the fourth-best all-time mark among MLB rookies (min. 25 starts), behind only Kerry Wood (12.58, 1998), Dwight Gooden (11.39, 1984) and Hideo Nomo (11.10, 1995).

• To create room on the 40-man roster, the Dodgers placed right-handed pitcher Chris Withrow on the 60-day disabled list.

(Justin Turner Checking out Robert Height's ride, pic via Turner on twitter)

JOHN FORCE RACING AND NHRA: The past two days, John Force Racing and the NHRA spent time with Los Angeles Dodger infielder Justin Turner and outfielder Joc Pederson. On Thursday, NHRA Funny Car champion Robert Hight joined Turner at Camelback Ranch-Glendale, touring the facility, taking batting and fielding practice throughout the afternoon. Yesterday, Turner and Pederson enjoyed the first day of qualifying at the CARQUEST Auto Parts NHRA Nationals. The professional qualifying sessions started yesterday with two more professional qualifying sessions today at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park outside of Chandler, AZ. Final eliminations will start at 11 a.m. on Sunday.

(Dodgers 2015 spring catchers, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2015)

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2014 Donruss Baseball Factory Set - All the Dodger Cards

I recently became aware of two factory sets recently released by Panini's brand Donruss, and discovered that there are several new and unique Dodger cards within them.  There is the complete Donruss Factory set and the Rookies Factory set.

The Donruss Factory set consist of all the base cards previously released during the season as Series 1 & 2 cards (for a total of 355 cards) plus either a newly created relic or autograph card.  There are two new Dodger autographed cards available (but no new relic cards).  They are cards autographed by Alex Guerrero or Erisbel Arruebarrena.  Check them out below.  Unfortunately, I have yet to run across the Guerrero card at this time.  Go here for a complete checklist.  BTW, these two new cards can also be founded randomly inserted into the Rookies Factory set detailed below.

The Rookies Signatures

#19 Alex Guerrero

(card not yet seen)

#80 Erisbel Arruebarrena

The Rookies factory set includes a 100-card "The Rookies" complete set plus one autographed card (the Guerrero and Arruebarrena cards above can be found).  The first 41 cards of the 100-card base set are repeats of the insert cards found in Series 1 & 2 boxes.  The remaining 59 cards are brand new.  Of those new created cards are two new Dodger players (Withrow and Arruebarrena).  Below is a complete look at all the Dodgers that are found in the 100-card set.  Go here for a complete checklist. 

The Rookies Set

#19 Alex Guerrero                                #34 Onelki Garcia

#60 Chris Withrow                               #80 Erisbel Arruebarrena

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Blog Kiosk: 11/3/2014 - Dodger Links - Puig's Halloween Costume, Vin Scully and Corey Seager

Yasiel Puig was one scary dude for Halloween, pic above via his instagram. 

Below are some links to check out:

• As I wrote over the weekend, former Brooklyn Dodger Jean-Pierre Roy died on Saturday.   Nick Diunte at Baseball Happenings wrote a fantastic piece yesterday on Roy that you can check out here.  Nick had visited with Roy in 2011 and shares his experience.

“It’s the answer I would have given you yesterday and the day before yesterday. What I like about baseball is not the players; it’s the life, the life of a human being. This is how you should accept it. Do the best you can in the things our boss has asked us to do. By boss, you can call it God, the manager, the Lord, but that’s it. This is what I want, what I like to see.”

• Via Steve Dilbeck at the LA Times, "Vin Scully says he's OK with adding a protege to Dodgers booth."

And though careful to say choosing his eventual successor would not be up to him, but to the team, he’s also not keen on eventually retiring without the Dodgers having a successor in mind.

“I would hope something would be developed for the future,” Scully said. “I wouldn’t want to leave them in the lurch.”

• Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Arizona Fall League Week 4: Corey Seager homers, Matt Shelton joins roster."
• Via Dylan Hernandez at the LA Times, "Corey Seager, 20, is making a push to be the Dodgers' shortstop."

"Corey is an incredibly gifted prospect," said Andrew Friedman, the Dodgers' new president of baseball operations. "His hands work really well on both sides of the ball and his progression year over year is right in line with that we would hope."

• Via Todd Dybas at the Washington Times, "Saturday with Maury: Perspective on speed, race, addiction from 30,000 feet."  (Hat Tip: Reddit dybo7)

He believes this was the moment of epiphany for him. Three friends came from Los Angeles to his door. There was a light — some form of higher power, he’s convinced, that was also present. Finally, this attempt to grapple his addiction into submission held when his friends extracted him from that place. For a quarter century since, he’s been going to Alcoholics Anonymous and he does not care who knows.

• Via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider, "Chris Withrow’s rehab is for the faint of heart."

“He was so excited,” Withrow continued. “He was saying, ‘Oh man, you’re gonna feel so good once you get that thing off.’ I think that’s when it really sunk in that it had happened. I just sat there and watched it all come off. The next thing you know, I’m white.”

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2014 Topps Update Baseball - All the Dodger Base Cards

Featured here are all of the Dodger base cards found in packs of 2014 Topps Update.  This late-season companion set to Topps flagship Baseball card product was release last week and it shows many of the newly acquired Dodgers added at the end of the season.  It also includes All-Star cards and some rookies.  Go here to check out a complete checklist of the set.

Clearly, the best of the bunch is the Justin Turner card.  Check it out directly below.  What a phenomenal photo for arguably the most impactful player on the team.  I have to consider it one of the best Dodger cards of the year.  The Zack Greinke card, on the other hand, might be the goofiest looking card of the year.  Those All-Star caps look hideous.

BTW, there are a bunch of short-printed Dodger cards available; including sparkle and photo variations.  I'll have pics of all of them to share tomorrow.

#US-67 Scott Van Slyke                          #US-68 Justin Turner

Blog Kiosk: 6/3/2014 - Dodger Links - Kemp, Withrow to have Surgery and Jobu

What a great photo of Clayton Kershaw in the midst of pitching a gem of a game last night, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014.  It's only the top of the 5th inning in the photo and Clayton has made just one mistake on the mound.  Unfortunately, that miscue resulted in a 2-run home run by Cuban rookie Jose Abreu.  No worries though, the Dodgers would come back for 5 big runs in their half of the 6th inning to secure a lead.

• Via Bill Plunkett at the OC Register, "Dodgers top NL – in long games," and they've been warned.

The warning cited a number of Dodgers pitchers for their violations of baseball’s “pace of game” regulations. A number of relievers were cited for taking too long to get from the bullpen to the mound when entering the game. Continued violations could result in $5,000 fines though none of the players have been fined to date.

• Via Doug Padilla at ESPNChicago.com, "Thaw in store? Abreu, Puig to meet in L.A."

"We're going to take it like a normal day in the past," Abreu said. "It's good to play against friends. (Puig) is a friend of mine. There's another guy there that is an infielder, Erisbel Arruebarrena, who played on the same team in Cuba. I'm looking forward to really saying hello to them."

• Chris Olds at Beckett.com gives us a sneak peek at Topps 2014 Bowman Sterling Baseball cards.  Check out the Alexander Guerrero card on the right.
• Via Howard Cole at LA Weekly, "In Defense of Matt Kemp."

I have no idea if Kemp will ever regain superstar status and perform to 2011 levels. Maybe not, but it's called a "career year" for a reason. It happens once. Kemp is still the "Bison," he's still a true Dodger, and he really has run into a wall for the organization. He doesn't need artificial ones placed in front of him by his manager. He's earned the benefit of the doubt.

• Chris Withrow will be having Tommy John surgery today, via JP Hoornstra at Inside the Dodgers.
• George Vrechek at Sports Collectors Digest shares his day at the Sports Museum of LA.
• Must have now!  Jobu of Major League fame will be getting a card from Topps that will be available only online.  Chris Olds at Beckett has the story.  Go here to check it out at the Topps website.

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Blog Kiosk: 5/29/2014 - Dodger Links - Jamie Romak, Trading for a Catcher and Wilson's Bobblehead

What could be better than a photo featuring Dodger organist Nancy Bea Hefley and slugger Yasiel Puig, via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014.

• Via Scott Miller at MLB.com, "Determination pays off as Romak gets 'the call'"  BTW, since Jon SooHoo took some new photos of Romak yesterday, I decided to make a new fantasy card for him.  Check it out on the right.

Romak said he trusted his abilities throughout, and then he said something that is a pretty good lesson in any walk of life.

"I didn't put much emphasis on where I wasn't," Romak said. "I worried about where I was."

• The Dodgers have acquired minor league catcher Johnny Monell from the Cubs, via Steve Adams of MLB Trade Rumors.  This was likely done to fill a spot that was vacated due to the Guerrero incident.
• Via Mike Oz at Big League Stew, "Jury selection begins in Giants fan Bryan Stow's civil suit against Dodgers."
• Check out some photographs from a recent Albuquerque Isotopes game taken by Redditor brianplayspiano.
• Here's an early peek at the Brian Wilson bobblehead the Dodgers are giving away on June 26th, via @Dodgers twitter.  Notice that it has a real hairy beard. 

First look at the Brian Wilson Bobblehead (June 26): https://t.co/RvKMIFtHc0
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) May 28, 2014

• Via Mark Saxon at ESPNLosAngeles.com, "Stock watch: Josh Beckett takes over."  Beckett, until recently, has been quietly putting together a great comeback season.
• Via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider, "Chris Withrow facing Tommy John surgery."

Chris Withrow underwent an examination by Dr. ElAttrache on May 23rd to evaluate pain in his right elbow. Dr. Elattrache diagnosed his problem as a tear of the Ulnar Collateral Ligament and recommended Tommy John surgery. He was subsequently placed on the Major League disabled list. Withrow is seeking a second opinion next week and will proceed with further treatment.

• Oh, come on... Really?  I officially disown this guy as a Kings fan.  You Don't belong!  Don't be a wussy!  Via Greg Wyshynski at Puck Daddy, "Corey Crawford allegedly sprays Kings fan, who files police report: TMZ." 

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Welcome to the Blue, Erisbel Arruebarrena!

With Juan Uribe re-injuring his hamstring last night this announcement should come as no surprise.  Uribe has been put on the 15-day DL. 

What may be a surprise is who is coming in his place.  Instead of hot hitting Alexander Guerrero, sure handed defensive specialist and recent free agent signee from Cuba, Erisbel Arruebarrena is coming up to the big club. 

As you may know,  Arruebarrena is all glove and no bat.  So, it remains uncertain if he'll get any starts over infielders like Figgins or Turner.  On the other hand, what have the Dodger to lose?

If not for a certain incident at an Isotopes game yesterday, I suspect Guerrero would have been the player called up in Uribe's stead.  Unfortunately, Guerrero's recent surgery made it impossible for him to come up today.  Who knows, though?  Maybe in a few days he'll get called up to replace Arruebarrena.

BTW, with Ryu slated to be coming off the DL to start tonight's game, I suspect Chris Withrow will be sent back to Albuquerque.   An announcement has yet to be made, but reports are already being made from all over the 'net.

Via a Dodgers press release:

The Los Angeles Dodgers today recalled infielder Erisbel Arruebarrena from Double-A Chattanooga (pronounced Arr-ru-eh-BAHR-ena) and placed infielder Juan Uribe on the 15-day disabled list (right hamstring strain).

Arruebarrena, who will wear uniform No. 11, will be making his Major League debut and hit safely in six of his last seven games with the Lookouts, batting .379 (11-for-29) with a double, a homer and two RBI since May 11. Overall, in 25 games as the primary starting shortstop for Chattanooga, the 24-year-old committed just four errors and hit .208 with four doubles, a triple, a homer and six RBI. Arruebarrena was signed by the Dodgers as a free agent on Feb. 22 after posting a .276 batting average with 67 doubles, 25 triples, 27 homers and 171 RBI in 437 career games in six seasons for Cienfuegos in the Cuban Serie Nacional from 2007-2013.

Uribe was batting .303 with four homers and 18 RBI in 40 games this season.

In celebration of Arruebarrena officially becoming a Dodger for the first time today today, I made the above fantasy card for him.  I used a photo grabbed from Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014 from Spring Training and the 1987 Topps Baseball card design.

Below are Arruebarrena's minor league career pitching stats, via Baseball Reference:


And, here is a recent video of Arruebarrena batting in Chattanooga last week, via Christopher Blessing of rotoscouting.com on youtube.

Video Link:

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Blog Kiosk: 5/19/2014 - Dodger Links - Some Dodger Odds and Ends

Yasiel Puig has certainly improved his batting eye this season.  He's being more selective and taking more walks.  Pic above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014.

• Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Hyun-jin Ryu to start Wednesday vs. Mets."
• Via Mark Saxon at ESPNLosAngeles.com, "Dodgers certainly not playing with urgency."

"Until we can grind out wins, we're in trouble, from that standpoint," manager Don Mattingly said. "I think you've got to be ready to play every day, to play with some sense of urgency that every game's going to matter, every game's going to count, that you don't have time to wait. I don't think we can sit around and wait for a run." 

• Via Ron Cervenka at Think Blue LA, "A change of scenery could do Chris Withrow a world of good."

As much as Dodger fans would like to see Withrow remain, the painful truth is that he needs to work on his command and control, and the best place to do this is at Albuquerque or Chattanooga, not at Dodger Stadium or any other major league ballpark. Some time away from the intense pressure of the Bigs could be exactly what the 25-year-old Austin, TX native needs to get back on track.

• SCP's auction came to a close this past weekend, and many of the items closed at record prices.  The Sandy Koufax game jersey sold for $268,664.00, and the Don Drysdale gamer sold for $31,129.00.  Check out my past post on this auction here and here, and here are a bunch of pics from a recent visit I made to the Newport Sports Museum that featured many of the auctioned items, here.
• The Kings lost the first one in Chicago on Sunday, but have no fear.  They looked great in the loss - even on little rest after vanquishing the Ducks on Friday.  Via Eric Duhatschek at The Globe and Mail, "Resilient L.A. defies the script, but still loses Game 1."

Considering they were playing for the second time in 40 hours, after taking their first two series to the limit, Sunday’s meeting with the Chicago Blackhawks was always going to be a wish-and-a-prayer sort of game for the Los Angeles Kings anyway. The Kings were hoping that they could come in and steal a game, even though they were theoretically running on fumes, and weirdly, they almost did.

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Blog Kiosk: 4/28/2014 - Dodger Links - Withrow, Kershaw and Perez

I can only imagine that Juan Uribe is ordering some new clothes to wow his Dodger teammates in the photo above.  Pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014.

• Stealing Home at All Trade Bait, All the Time writes an excellent commentary on the Donald Sterling mess.  I share your grief Stealing Home.  This whole thing makes me feel sad too.
• Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Don Mattingly on Chris Withrow: 'You want a guy with that kind of stuff.'"

"Obviously we like his stuff. It's funny, you kind of match up every day with the sheet. You match up caution areas and good areas. With With, his stuff is pretty much always good. You can match him up with anybody," Mattingly recalled. "Right there, at CarGo and Tulo, it just felt like if you were going to get through those two guys, you want a guy with that kind of stuff."

• Via Scott Miller at MLB.com, "Disappointed Kershaw to make another rehab start."

"I feel normal," he said. "That's the hard part, going to pitch another [Minor League] game when I feel healthy."

• Via Ron Cervenka  at Think Blue LA, "Chris Perez – A quiet Dodger with a loud arm."

“I’m throwing a lot better than I did last year, that’s for sure,” Perez said during a recent interview. “I’m just going out there whenever they call my name for as long as they need me and be ready the next day.”

• Jared Massey at Dodgers Nation shares a "Dodgers Minor League Recap – 4/27: Zach Lee Has Rough Start In Fresno."  While Chad Moriyama  at Dodger Digest does his own, "Down On The Farm Update: Games Of 4/22 – 4/27."

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Blog Kiosk: 4/12/2014 - Dodger Links - Dodgers Sign a Couple Kids, Joc Pederson, and Chris Withrow

Adrian Gonzalez's home run swing, pic above via Jon SooHoo/2014 LA Dodgers. See more of Jon's photos from yesterday here.

(pic via Olimpiazzurra)

• The Dodgers signed a kid from Italy.  Via Federazione Italiana Baseball Softball, "Federico Celli signs with the Los Angeles Dodgers."  (Hat Tip: /Dodgers on Reddit Magikrat)

The young outfield prospect out of Romagna will begin his adventure in the States in Rookie ball as soon as he finishes High School in Italy. Celli, (born) 1995, grew up playing for Rimini Riviera, and is currently finishing up his 3rd year with the FIBS Baseball Academy in Tirrenia. The youngster has also played with the Italian National team at the throughout the youth level, and just a year ago he was on the Under 18 squad that won the European Championship. 

• The Dodgers also signed a kid 17 kid from (I think) Nicaragua named Alvaro Rubi, via Gerald Hernández at La Prensa.  (Hat Tip: JP Hoornstra on twitter)
• Via Mike Petriello at Dodger Insider, "Joc Pederson Off To Just A Fantastic Start in Triple-A."
• Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Chris Withrow making strong bid to stay in Dodgers bullpen."

"His stuff is power stuff, it's back end," Mattingly said on Wednesday. "It's late in the game stuff, and we're seeing it. He's been lights out."

• A darling for many fans during this past Spring Training, it has now been reported, via Steve Adams at MLB Trade Rumors, that Seth Rosin has been returned to his original team - the Phillies - after being DFA'd by the Rangers.  Seth is racking up a ton of miles.
• Oh!  This is awesome.  Take a look at the Dodgers inflatable chair they are giving out to the 1st 40,000 fans on May 8th, pic via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider.

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Blog Kiosk: 4/10/2014 - Dodger Links - Baseball at the Reagan Presidential Library, Kenley Jansen and Chris Withrow

Nomar and the Minions.  Pic above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014.  See more of Jon's photos from yesterday here.

• I thought I would let you all know that, right now, at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library is an exhibit of Baseball memorabilia from the Gary Cypress Collection (he owns the Sports Museum of LA).  I hear it's fantastic and worth a trip.  Go here for more information.
• Grant Bisbee at SB Nation writes, "Miguel Cabrera, Kenley Jansen, and the best at-bat of 2014 so far."  He does a pitch by pitch analysis.
• Unfortunately, Jansen has been far from great this year.  Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Kenley Jansen struggles, Dodgers not worried."

"It's tough, man. He's a tough hitter and kept battling. I feel like I executed, and one pitch I go in there and he took me deep. He kept fouling me off away and I tried to go in there to back him off," Jansen explained. "Nothing I can do about it. It's a tough series, but I can't worry about this. I just have to go now to Arizona and get it back together."

• Former darling of the chattering class, Seth Rosin, has been DFA'd by the Rangers, via Steve Adams at MLB Trade Rumors.
• Left Field Pavilion's graphic about our new mascot, non-mascot guy is hilarious.  Check it out here.
• Via Earl Bloom at MLB.com, "Withrow won't be under the radar for long."

"He can and will be a closer once he matures as a Major League pitcher," said bullpen coach Chuck Crim, who was Withrow's pitching coach for his last two years in Double-A. "No question his stuff plays."

• Peter Jensen Brown at the Early Sports and Pop Culture History Blog wrote about the etymology of the name Trolley Dodgers, here.
• Larry Pauley at Sports Collectors Daily writes about a little known mini-pennant set - the 1950 American Nut and Chocolate Co. Pennants.  I love mini pennants and especially love these.
• Topps just released an 1988 Dodgers World Series Championship Archives Collection items at its store.  Check it out here.  It includes a large 11"x14" sized photo Baseball cards, pins, patches and a bunch of other stuff.  Below are some some pics and a video box opening from Topps.
  
  

Video Link:

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Blog Kiosk: 3/31/2014 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends to Start the Season

The photo above is from the Dodger exhibit at the Japanese American Museum in Los Angeles, pic via Armando Arorizo/LA Dodgers 2014.  Check out more pics here.  Mark Langill at the Dodger Insider wrote a story about the exhibition, here.

• Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Clayton Kershaw to be placed on 15-day DL."  Again, I think this is all about staying on the side of caution.

 "I can't pitch right now, so I'm going to have to take a few extra days," Kershaw said. "It's frustrating. Right now, it's just not getting better fast enough."

• Via Steve Dilbeck at the LA Times, "Turns out there is winner for rotation's fifth spot — Josh Beckett ."  Via Don Mattingly,

“We always felt like Josh had the upper hand. But we really didn’t know where the health was going to be, how that was going to go.

• Via Scott Miller at MLB.com, "Ellis appreciates ground swell of support."  AJ was at the plate when the earthquake happened on Friday.

"It felt like the crowd really came to life when I was at the plate," Ellis said Saturday afternoon. "I was like, 'I appreciate that. These guys are really into my at-bat.' "

• Chad Moriyama at Dodgers Insider writes, "Yasiel Puig’s 2014 at the plate, regression, and his late-season ‘slump’"
• David Laurila at FanGraphs writes a bit about the Dodgers biomechanical assessments of Seth Rosin and Withrow's development.

“Once I got Rule 5’d over here, they said they’d watched a lot of video of me,” said Rosin. “They saw an opportunity for me to become more efficient with my body. The process of incorporating those things began at a camp in January, and I’ve continued to work on it since that time.

• Mark Townsend at Big League Stew notes that the Puig team meeting was set up by Yasiel.
• Eric Stephen at True Blue LA sums up the whole Figgins vs. Kennedy brouhaha nicely.
• Via Mark Saxon at ESPNLosAngeles.com, "Brian Wilson and the fickle nature of relief".

"I’m not particularly used to having 'one of those nights,'" Wilson said. "Normally, it might have something to do with not making proper pitches. Tonight was about not being able to get ahead in the count, and they took advantage of it. Just forgive and forget." 

• Zach Hample shares his experience at the Australian ballgames.  Go here to check it out.  He has a ton of photos of areas in and around the stadium that I guarantee you haven't seen yet.
• Juan Uribe wore this into the Dodger clubhouse before the game in San Diego, yesterday.  I kid you not!  Via Hanley Ramirez's Instagram.

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Dodgers Notes from Spring Training: March 28, 2014 vs. Angels

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 Angels of Anaheim at Los Angeles Dodgers
RHP Garrett Richards vs. RHP Zach Lee
Friday, March 28, 2014, 7:10 p.m. | Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, CA
TV: SportsNet LA RADIO: AM 570 KLAC (ENG), KTNQ 1020 AM (SPAN)

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(Pujols, Mota, Puig and Gonzalez, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014)

BACK TO SPRING TRAINING: After opening the 2014 Major League regular season with a pair of games against the D-backs in Australia last weekend, the Dodgers returned to exhibition play last night, losing 7-5 to the Angels. The clubs meet again tonight at Dodger Stadium before the series shifts to Anaheim for the Freeway Series finale tomorrow evening. Los Angeles won the Freeway Series last year, 2-1, and then the clubs split their four regular-season meetings, with each club protecting their home field. The clubs will play four times during the regular season this year, two games at Dodger Stadium, August 4-5, and two games in Anaheim, August 6-7.

• The Dodgers open their North American slate on Sunday evening against the Padres on ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball. Los Angeles will also battle the Padres on Tuesday and Wednesday before its home opener on Friday, April 4 at 1:10 p.m. against the Giants.

(At Camelback Ranch, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014)

LIFE IN THE DESERT: The Dodgers went 6-10-5 during Cactus League play as they matched a Los Angeles record for Spring Training ties set in 2006 (15-13-5). In 12 home dates at Camelback Ranch – Glendale, the Dodgers drew 114,402 fans, with an average crowd of 9,534, their highest average since moving to Arizona in 2009.

HIGH NUMBERS: The Dodgers’ roster will be supplemented by minor leaguers RHP Matt Magill (#36), C Tim Federowicz (#26), RHP Sam Demel (#38), RHP Zach Lee (#64), RHP Red Patterson (#78), C Jose Capellan (96), INF Miguel Rojas (#72), INF Corey Seager (#94), INF Darnell Sweeney (#87), OF Joc Pederson (#65), OF Trayvon Robinson (#90) and LHP Tom Windle (#97).

GONE HOLLYWOOD: For the second consecutive season, the Dodgers will treat their fans to baseball-themed movies after three games – Saturday, April 26 “Field of Dreams” (6:10 p.m. vs. COL), Saturday May 31 “A League of Their Own” (4:15 p.m. vs. PIT) and Saturday, August 16 “The Natural” (6:10 p.m. vs. MIL). These three iconic and family-friendly baseball films will be screened for fans following each game and screenings are free with a game-day ticket. Fans sitting in the right field pavilion and left field pavilion will be invited down to the field postgame for a better viewing experience.

ALL DODGERS, ALL THE TIME: All three of the Freeway Series games will be televised by SportsNet LA, the exclusive new 24/7 TV network of the Los Angeles Dodgers. The network takes fans behind-the-scenes with the team and offers in-depth access to the organization, providing an immersive experience with never-before-seen content and thousands of hours of comprehensive Dodger programming. SportsNet LA will televise more than 140 live, regular-season Dodger games, plus a full slate of original, classic and live studio programming that focuses only on the Dodgers, covering the team in a way that it’s never been covered.

JOB FAIR: Tomorrow, the Dodgers will host their 19th annual Community Job Fair starting at 10:00 a.m. and more than 100 companies will be on hand to meet with members of the Los Angeles community. Last year, more than 5,000 job seekers from throughout Southern California gathered at the stadium to meet potential employers. This year’s Job Fair features training providers, government agencies and employers including: Kaiser Permanente, Warner Bros. Entertainment, Fairplex, Lowe’s and many more. Parking at Dodger Stadium and admission to the job fair is free. Also, free shuttle service into the stadium will be provided from the corner of Elysian Park Ave. and Sunset Blvd. Participants are encouraged to dress in business attire and bring their current resume. 

CHECK IT OUT: Tomorrow, Dodgers: Brotherhood of the Game, a new exhibition exploring the team’s storied past through four players and a Hall of Fame manager, will open at the Japanese American National Museum. Jackie Robinson, Fernando Valenzuela, Chan Ho Park, Hideo Nomo, and Tommy Lasorda—each of whom made history in his own right—will be prominently featured, as will owners Branch Rickey, Walter O’Malley, and Peter O’Malley. The exhibition continues through September 14.

(Bullpen overlook, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodger 2014)

NEW AND IMPROVED!: The latest round of stadium improvements are being unveiled this week, including:

• Expansion of the entries at the field level, with two new 25,000 square-foot plazas in right and left field.  Each plaza houses a 5,000 square-foot new team store, tickets and concessions space, as well as memorabilia to celebrate Dodger history.
• Seating and lounging areas at bars and drink rails overlooking the bullpens in the outfield, giving focus to pitchers warming up, as well as infield game views. 
• Two new restaurants in the outfield entrance plazas; Tommy Lasorda’s Italian Trattoria, in the right-field area of the plaza, and THINK BLUE BBQ in left-field.
• A new public wireless system.
• Sunset Blvd. Gate A, along Elysian Park Avenue, will feature a dedicated pedestrian entrance with new lighting in an effort to encourage fans to utilize parking lots 13 and 14.

UP FOR THE CHALLENGE: MLB’s new instant replay system will be on display for the Freeway Series games as managers will have the ability to challenge one call through the sixth inning (and receive another challenge if successful) and be able to request a review of any play after the seventh inning. Los Angeles had five test runs with the system in Cactus League play.

(Zack Greinke, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodger 2014)

ZACH ATTACK: Minor league right handed-pitcher Zach Lee will make his third start of Cactus League play tonight and posted a 1-0 record with a 5.79 ERA thus far. Lee last started in an exhibition game against Team Australia on March 20 and struck out six, allowing one run on three hits in 4.0 innings, which did not count toward Cactus League stats. The 22-year-old, who was selected by the club in the first round (28th overall) of the 2010 MLB draft, went 10-10 with a 3.22 ERA in 28 games (25 starts) with Double-A Chattanooga last year, ranking among the Southern League leaders in wins (T-9th), innings pitched (142.2, 9th), strikeouts (131, 3rd) and WHIP (1.17, T-3rd).

• Kenley Jansen is scheduled to make his eighth appearance of the spring and has allowed only two hits in 7.0 innings in his previous outings. Jansen earned his first save of the 2014 regular season on Saturday night in Australia after finishing the 2013 campaign with a career-high 28 saves in 32 opportunities and ranked among the NL relief leaders in saves (T-11th), ERA (1.88, 6th), opponents’ batting average (.177, 7th), WHIP (0.86, 2nd) and strikeouts (111, 2nd).
• Also scheduled to pitch today are Jamey Wright, Chris Perez and Chris Withrow.

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