Blog Kiosk: 6/25/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

Featured is 1951 ACME press telephoto showing a bunch of fanatic Dodger fans lining up for tickets (eBay auction link). Below is what's written on the reverse:

10/1 - Brooklyn, NY, Brooklyn's Ebbets Field is besieged by determined baseball fans, who line up early to get tickets for the crucial National League playoff opener between the Dodgers and Giants.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1968 Giants rookie Bobby Bonds hit a grand slam against Dodger righty John Purdin in his third at-bat of his first major league game -- becoming only the second player to have ever done so. In 1984 infielder Bill Russell played his 1,953rd game to become the LA Dodgers' all-time leader in games played. He would finish his career in Blue with a total of 2,181 games played -- second best all time in Dodger history. Hall of Famer Zack Wheat best him with 2,322 games played as a Dodger.
• Happy Birthday, Barney White, Don Demeter, Alejandro Peña, Aaron Sele & Paul Maholm!

Blog Kiosk: 11/7/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

As I am wont to say, "Baseball will break your heart". Check out the above 1939 press photo showing the hard-luck case of Vito Tamulis (eBay auction link).

May 18, 1939 -- Vito Gets the Hard Luck Crown -- Vitautras C. Tamulis (right) today wore the Major League's hard luck baseball crown, the Brooklyn left-hander, shown with manager Leo Durocher (left) and Lynn Lary, pitched 11 innings (boxscore) of that 19 inning struggle at Chicago yesterday, allowing only four hits, but couldn't come up with a win. His whole career has been like that.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 2016 the Dodgers traded catcher Carlos Ruiz to Seattle for Vidal Nuno III. Ruiz came to Los Angeles as a late-season addition for their playoff run -- a trade that sent popular backstop AJ Ellis to Philadelphia. Carlos Ruiz got into 14 games and slashed .278/.350/.333/.683.
• Happy Birthday, Joe Hatten, Dick Stuart, Rich Rodas & Orlando Mercado!

Blog Kiosk: 7/6/2018 - Dodgers Links - First Place, Baby!

Woo Hoo! For the first time this season the Dodgers are in first place.

The trepidation that began at the start of the season is now but a distant memory.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1938 Leo Durocher recorded a "little league" home run that started as an sacrifice bunt in the seventh inning during the All-Star Game played in Cincinnati. Durocher was credited with a bunt single and came around to score on errors by Jimmy Foxx and Joe DiMaggio. In 1979 the Dodgers purchased the contract of pitcher Fernando Valenzuela from Puebla of the Mexican League. In 1980 the Dodgers retired Duke Snider's uniform #4 during that days Old-Timers Day ceremonies at Dodger Stadium. In 2000 Vin Scully is voted the No. 1 sportscaster of the 20th century by members of the American Sportscasters Association. 
• Happy Birthday, Frank Kellert, Willie Randolph & Germán Rivera!

Welcome to the Blue, Daniel Corcino!

The Dodgers bullpen has been a revolving door -- relievers are constantly shuffling back-and-forth between Los Angeles and Oklahoma City. So far, they have used 19 different players in relief. The newest Dodger to join our pen arrived over this past weekend, and has already thrown a scoreless inning. His name is Daniel Corcino. He is a right-hander and will wear #56. Per a Dodgers press release:

Corcino, 27, who will appear on a Major League roster for the first time since 2014, appeared in a combined 14 games (six starts) with Double-A Tulsa and Triple-A Oklahoma City going 3-1 with one save and has posted a 2.22 ERA (11 ER/44.2 IP). He has also struck out a combined 43 batters against 16 walks, while limiting the opposition to a .190 average. Corcino has spent the majority of the season with the OKC Dodgers, going 2-0 with a 1.95 ERA (8 ER/37.0 IP) and has held batters to a .182 average, while striking out 34 against 15 walks in 10 games (six starts). The right-hander was a non-roster invitee with the Dodgers during this past Spring Training and appeared in six Cactus League games, posting a 1.35 ERA (1 ER/6.2 IP) and struck out five against two walks.

Welcome to the Blue, Xavier Cedeno!

The Dodgers added a left handed reliever this afternoon via a trade with the Washington Nationals for cash money.  They received 28-year old Xavier Cedeno.  He is not currently with the club, but is expected to join the Dodgers in San Diego on Friday, via a tweet from JP Hoornstra:

Xavier Cedeno will join the #Dodgers in San Diego, per Don Mattingly.
— J.P. Hoornstra (@jphoornstra) April 23, 2015

I had initially figured he would be heading to the minor leagues to provide more bullpen depth, but then I discovered that Cedeno is without options.  So, he can't be sent down unless he clears waivers.  That means keeping him with the big club or testing the waiver waters.  Since JP Hoornstra mentions that he'll be coming to San Diego then it's only logical to assume that he will replace someone on the 25-man roster at that time.  Based on the game of musical chairs the club is playing, I suspect Mike Bolsinger will be optioned back to the Minors.  Mike is expected to replace Chris Heisey for a spot start on Thursday.

So, overall it looks like we will have:

• Chris Heisey recalled; and Adam Liberatore optioned to Minors today
• Mike Bolsinger recalled; Chris Heisey optioned to Minors tomorrow
• Xavier Cedeno addded to 25-man roster; Mike Bolsinger options to Minors on Friday

Whew!  That's a lot of shuffling there.

Via a Dodger press release:

The Los Angeles Dodgers today acquired left-handed pitcher Xavier Cedeno from Washington in exchange for cash considerations. To make room on the 40-man roster, Los Angeles designated right-handed pitcher Daniel Corcino for assignment.

Cedeno, 28, has made two relief appearances for Washington this year, allowing two runs in 3.0 innings, and has gone 0-1 with one save and a 5.24 ERA in 77 career big league appearances for the Astros (2011-13) and Nationals (2013-15). The native of Puerto Rico was originally selected by the Rockies in the 31^st round of the 2004 First-Year Player Draft and has a 42-41 record with nine saves and a 4.15 ERA in 256 games (103 starts) in nine minor league seasons.

I don't know too much about Cedeno, but Eric Stephen at True Blue LA does provide a little glimpse:

Left-handed batters have hit .252/.331/.351 against Cedeno in his career, with 39 strikeouts and nine walks in 126 plate appearances. Right-handers, by comparison, have hit .339/.409/.532 with 15 walks and 15 strikeouts.

In celebration of Cedeno's arrival to the club I made the above fantasy card for him.  I grabbed a photo by Tony Firriolo/MLB Photos via Getty Image sand the 1968 Topps Baseball card design.

Below are the career stats for Xavier Cedeno, via Baseball-Reference:

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Blog Kiosk: 4/18/2015 - Dodger Links - The Bubble Machine, Hatcher and Daniel Corcino

I just noticed the above photo of one of the Dodger bubble machines used last season by the Dodgers.  Apparently, it is now retired for good as it was auctioned off at the Dodger Foundation Gala held the other night.

From what I understand, there were several different bubble machines used last season so fans shouldn't be too worried that it's legacy has been diminished.  Instead, you should be grateful that it was auctioned off to the highest bidder for a great cause.  Besides, bubbles are not entirely disappearing from Dodger Stadium.  A couple weeks ago I mentioned that Gazillion Bubbles was recently named the “Official Bubbles of the Los Angeles Dodgers” for the 2015 MLB season, and they will be making their first visit tomorrow at Viva Los Dodgers.

Below are some links to check out:

• ICYMI, the Dodgers called up Adam Liberatore from AAA to join the club in Colorado for yesterday's game.

The Dodgers have recalled LHP Adam Liberatore from Triple-A. He’ll be with the team tonight vs. Colorado.
— Pedro Moura (@pedromoura) April 17, 2015

• Via Ron Cervenka at Think Blue LA, "Chris Hatcher is back after hitting small speed bump."

“I wouldn’t necessarily say that I’ve done anything [mechanically], my stuff’s always been there, it’s just how to use it,” said Hatcher after Tuesday night’s exciting come-from-behind 6-5 win over the Seattle Mariners. “A little more confident in it tonight. I didn’t go right after guys with the fastball, I mixed it up a little bit more. When you throw somewhat hard and you’re mixing your split [finger fastball] with your slider, it’s a different look. Everything was good tonight, I like the way it came out.”

• The Dodgers made another move.  Per a press release, they have claimed right-handed pitcher Daniel Corcino from Cincinnati and designated left-handed pitcher Ryan Dennick for assignment. Eric Stephen at True Blue LA tells us a bit about him.
• Oscar Martinez at Lasorda's Lair compares and contrast the comments made by Magic and Ice Cube regarding TWC; "Magic Johnson And Ice Cube Weigh in on the Dodger's TV Fiasco."
• BTW, Oscar is an avid collector and maintains his own card collector blog called, "All Trade Bait, All the Time."  He currently has a new post up where he shares his visit to the Institute For Baseball Studies at Whittier College.  Go here to check it out.  Oscar shares some fantastic photos of some vintage 1960's era glasses a patron had just dropped off.
• Hanley doing Hanley things.  Via Chris Cwik at Big League Stew, "Hanley Ramirez hit a ball so hard that he put a hole in the outfield wall."

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