Blog Kiosk: 2/10/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - So is the Deal Done Now?

After much hand wringing, the trade initially reported last week is in its final stages and it's a bit different than what we were originally told. Sure, it's not exactly the lopsided transaction we heard about, but it's still an extremely good deal for the Dodgers. Not only do we get Betts and Price, but the "live-arm" reliever thought to be going to Boston is actually going to be a Dodger -- Brusdar Graterol. Below is the rundown, via Do-Hyoung Park at MLB.com:

DODGERS-TWINS TRADE
Dodgers get: RHP Brusdar Graterol, OF Luke Raley, 67th pick in 2020 Draft
Twins get: RHP Kenta Maeda, Minor Leaguer, cash 

RED SOX-DODGERS TRADE
Red Sox get: OF Alex Verdugo, SS Jeter Downs, C Connor Wong
Dodgers get: OF Mookie Betts, LHP David Price, cash

On another note, the reported trade between the Dodgers and Angels also fell apart. So for now, Joc Pederson and Ross Stripling are still Dodgers. I don't expect that to remain the case. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1916 veteran catcher Chief Meyers is waived by the Giants, but is claimed by both Brooklyn and the Boston Braves. They settle who gets him with a coin toss. The Dodgers win and Chief Meyers joins Brooklyn. In 1971 the Dodgers trade for pitcher Al Downing from the Brewers for Andy Kosco, Downing would spend seven years in LA -- going 46-37 with an 3.16 ERA, 3.45 FIP, 25 complete games and 12 shutouts. In 2009 the Dodgers signed free agent knuckleballer Charlie Haeger. 
• Happy Birthday, Kit McKenna, Cotton Tierney, Bob Logan, Randy Jackson, Jack Fimple, Hiroki Kuroda, César Izturis, Luis Cruz & Travis d'Arnaud!

Blog Kiosk: 9/6/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Here's another great sliding photograph from the George Michael Collection. It is dated May 19, 1943 and features a slide that would be banned today. (eBay auction link) Below is a description of the play:

Harry Walker, of St. Louis, is out at second in the first inning of the game at Ebbets Field with the Dodgers. On the slide, Walker managed to roll into Alex Kampouris, Dodgers' second baseman, upsetting the throw to first to catch Stan Musial in a double play. Action took place on Musial's grounder to Kampouris. The took the game, 3 to 2 (boxscore).

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1943 the Dodgers signed 19-year old amateur free agent Gil Hodges out of  St. Joseph's College in Rensselaer, IN. In 1950 Don Newcombe started both ends of a doubleheader against the Phillies at Shibe Park. In Game 1 he threw a complete game three-hit shutout. In Game 2 he left the game behind by two runs in the seventh inning. The Dodgers would eventually win that game on a three-run single in the ninth inning by Gil Hodges. In 1953 Giants manager and Dodger-traitor Leo Durocher is heard yelling "stick it in his ear" before his pitcher Ruben Gomez struck Dodger outfielder Carl Furillo on the wrist with a pitch. As Furillo took first base he suddenly sprinted to the dugout to get at Durocher. In the subsequent melee Furillo fractures a finger -- ending his season. In 1976 catcher Steve Yeager is injured on the on-deck circle when a jagged end of Bill Russell's broken bat struck him in the throat. It pierced his esophagus, necessitating surgery. Soon thereafter, Dodger trainer Bill Buhler invented a device that hung down from a catchers mask to protect a players throat. In 1981 Fernando Valenzuela threw his seventh shutout as a rookie -- tying a National League record. In 1996 the ever-popular Brett Butler defied the odds by returning to the field for the first time after being diagnosed with cancer of the tonsils, having surgery and intensive radiation therapy earlier in the year.
• Happy Birthday, Dustin May, Oyster Burns, Pete Gilbert, George Hildebrand & Del Bissonette!

Blog Kiosk: 7/15/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

AJ Pollock is doing everything he can to make sure we haven't forgotten him. Since coming back from the IL on Friday he has gone 6-for-14 with two home runs with six RBI's. On Saturday he said, via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

“It’s only two games, but I like where I’m at,” Pollock said. “Physically, feel great, my legs feel really good and I’m in a good place health-wise. Hopefully I can have different results than my first go-round. It’s fun to get back. It’s a great group to be part of.”

Photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2019. Go here to check out more pics from yesterdays game. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1960 play at Candlestick Park is halted for 24 minutes after Giants first baseman Willie McCovey hits a Don Drysdale pitch in the second inning to shallow left field that no one can see due to thick fog. McCovey is given a "invisible triple." In 2004 Eric Gagne records his 24th save of the season, helping defeat the Diamondbacks, 4-3. The save is his 130th as a Dodger -- breaking Jeff Shaw's record for most career saves in franchise history. In 2017 Cody Bellinger hit for a cycle against the Marlins at Marlins Park -- becoming the first Dodger rookie to have ever done so. You can watch highlights of the game here.
• Happy Birthday, Dan McGann, Bruce Edwards, James Baldwin & Miguel Olivo!

2019 Bowman Platinum Baseball - All the Dodger Base Cards

The Walmart exclusive brand, Bowman Platinum, hit store shelves last week, and I've got pics of all the Dodger base cards. Check them out below. Go here for a complete checklist.

Base

#34 Clayton Kershaw             #35 Walker Buehler

Congrats, Quakes! Check Out Some Fantasy Custom Cards in Celebration

Following on the heals of some fantasy cards I made in celebration of the Tulsa Drillers championship victory this past weekend, I now have some Rancho Cucamonga Quakes custom marvels to look through. Check them out below. As you know, they swept the Visalia Rawhide to become the 2018 California League Champions.

Weekend Autograph Opportunity: 12 Happy Dodgers at the GT Sports Marketing Show (UPDATE-Prospects Kendall, Bannon and Wong in Azusa)

Here are this weekends autograph opportunities and events throughout the Southland. As always, be sure to check the Blue Heaven Calendar for other events (a link can always be found on the tab at the top of this page, just left of center), and always confirm with the establishment. Everything is subject to change.  Please email me with any tips about upcoming events in Southern California.  As the rest of the week progresses I'll update this post with other events (if there are any) as I become aware of them.  Also, I don't always list every event below, so be sure to check my Calendar.  I always try to favor free signing events over paying events.  Click on any pic to embiggen.

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Blog Kiosk: 6/12/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

The Dodgers held their fourth annual Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation Blue Diamond Gala at Dodger Stadium last night, and by all accounts fun was had by all. John Legend provided the entertainment

Photos above via @Dodgers on twitter. You can check out even more pics by using the hashtag #LADFGala on twitter. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1940 the Dodgers made one of the biggest trades in their history. They received 1937 Triple Crown winner Joe "Ducky" Medwick and pitcher Curt Davis from the Cardinals for outfielder Ernie Koy, pitcher Carl Doyle, two minor leaguers and $125k in cash (a huge sum in those days). The Dodgers would win the pennant the following season for the first time since 1920. In 1955 Don Newcombe, having won his first ten decisions of the season, lost his first game of the year when Brooklyn loses to the Cubs, 9-5. In 2005 first baseman Hee-Seop Choi hit home runs in his first three at-bats this evening against the Twins to propel the Dodgers over Minnesota, 4-3. Watch all three here.
• Happy Birthday, Jack O'Brein, Roger Bernadina & Damon Hollins!

2018 Topps Pro Debut - All the Dodgers Cards

Topps' minor league Baseball card brand Pro Debut officially hit store shelves this week, and I've got pics of every Dodger card available to look at below. Go here for a complete checklist.

This set is stacked with some of the best Dodger prospects currently in our system; including the recently called-up pitcher Dennis Santana. Other notables are Keibert Ruiz, Yadier Alvarez , DJ Peters and Mitchell White. Heck, all nine Dodgers' in the base set are all worth paying attention to.

Something notable is a fun mascot card featuring Tremor of the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes - a Dodgers Single-A team.

Base

#9 Mitchell White                 #38 Ibandel Isabel

Blog Kiosk: 4/23/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Far from his best outing, Kenley Jansen recorded his second consecutive scoreless inning to record only his third save of the season last night. Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"It's testing my patience right now, it's annoying," said Jansen, who allowed a soft single to pinch-hitter Matt Adams and a liner by Wilmer Difo, then struck out Andrew Stevenson and Trea Turner before former Dodger Howie Kendrick flied out to center to end the game. 

"I wanted to watch that video right away. It was a perfect pitch to Matt Adams right there, but he's strong enough. He opened up because he's looking in and he finds the green right there," Jansen said. "Then I hung a slider to Difo and he put it on the green. I had to calm myself, even though I was angry, and got out of it. It's good to be angry. All this is making me push and push to get where I want to be."

Photo above via @Dodgers on twitter. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1946 Dodgers righty Ed Head threw a no-hitter against the Boston Braves, 5-0. He said after the game: “I knew I had it all the time – don’t ask me how, but I knew it.” In 1958 Dodger first baseman Gil Hodges hit his 300th career home run on the same day that Pee Wee Reese played his 2,000th career game. In 1999 Cardinals third baseman Fernando Tatis becomes the first player in MLB history to hit two grand slams in one inning when he did it against Chan Ho Park of the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium, 12-2. You can watch it here.
• Happy Birthday, James Mulvey, Dolph Camilli, Bob O'Brien & Andruw Jones!

2017 Panini Elite Extra Edition - All the Dodgers Cards

2017 Panini Elite Extra Edition Baseball, released this past Wednesday, is their answer to Topps 2017 Bowman Draft brand released on the same day. It features a whole bunch of prospects; including the Dodgers first three draft picks from this year -- Jeren Kendall, Morgan Cooper and Connor Wong. Go here for a complete checklist.

Notably, this set also has cards of Jose Miguel Fernandez available in packs -- he was released by the club just three weeks ago.

Base

#23 Jeren Kendall

#62 Morgan Cooper           #81 Tim Locastro

2017 Bowman Draft - All the Dodgers Cards

Topps newest set to hit store shelves is their 2017 Bowman Draft brand. As always, these cards include some of the very first cards of kids drafted in 2017. Of the seven Dodgers in the base set three were drafted just this past summer -- Morgan Cooper (2nd rd), Connor Wong (3rd rd) and James Marinan (4th rd). Go here for a complete checklist. Below are all of the Dodgers' cards.

Base & Base Chrome

Normal Base                        Base Chrome
#BD-30 Morgan Cooper      #BDC-30 Morgan Cooper

Blog Kiosk: 8/22/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

We were witness to a strange and yet fantastic ritual before yesterday's game. Justin Turner, as the eclipse was in full swing, got down on his knees, performed an ancient hand gesture consisting of interlocking middle fingers to form a "w" for winning, and then yelled to get the attention of the bright red sun god in the sky. His bright orange hair immediately burst into flames. Then, like a flash, JT returned to his normal self. I kid you not!

Yasiel Puig, on the other hand, used his newfound powers attained by following in JT's footsteps to help the Dodgers to victory last night. In the 12th inning of a tied game Puig came up and slugged a go-ahead home run for the Dodgers. Per Adam Berry and Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"I was just trying to put the ball in play," Puig said. "I was waiting on the fastball, that's his best pitch and the one I struggle with. But I put a good swing on it."

Photo above via Justin Turner on twitter and the pic of Puig via his twitter. BTW, these two jokesters also recreated yesterday's solar eclipse, and it's hilarious. Check that out at the very bottom of this post. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1948 the Dodgers recorded a triple steal in the fifth inning of their game against the Boston Braves at Ebbets Field.  Jackie Robinson stole home, Gene Hermanski took third and Pee Wee Reese swiped second base.  In 1965 Giants hurler Juan Marichal attacked Johnny Roseboro with his bat while at the plate. He had been buzzing Dodger batters all day, so Roseboro decided to throw a baseball back to his pitcher while at the same time making sure it barely missed Marichal's face. Quickly, benches cleared and a brawl commenced. See the pic on the right to see what I mean. In 2000 Eric Karros becomes the first Dodger in franchise history to hit two home runs in one inning.  It was against the Expos.
• Happy Birthday, Ned Hanlon, Al Bashang, Jeff Weaver, Randy Wolf & David Huff!

Dodgers Pick Catcher Connor Wong in the Third Round - Welcome to the Blue!

With their first pick of the day in the 3rd round, 100th overall, the Dodgers select versatile and athletic catcher Connor Wong from the University of Houston. He is a junior, stands 5' 11", 180 lbs., bats right and throws right-handed. Connor is also the stepson of Matt Maysey, who was drafted in the seventh round in 1985 by the Padres, and eventually pitched briefly for Montreal and Milwaukee in the early to mid-90's. He also has a major league hit from his only MLB at-bat as a Brewer in 1993.

You can follow Connor Wong on twitter here: @Connor10Wong. Unfortunately, he has not been very active on twitter. I am not aware of any cards made for Connor yet. Per MLB's prospect report:

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 45 | Run: 55 | Arm: 50 | Field: 50 | Overall: 45

Wong started immediately at Houston as a freshman shortstop before making the transition to catching as sophomore a year ago. He earned all-star honors behind the plate in the Cape Cod League last summer, leading the circuit with 72 total bases, and has upped his offensive production this spring. In a down year for catchers in the Draft, he should be one of the first selected and could climb as high as the third round.