Blog Kiosk: 2/17/2017 - Dodgers Links - Spring is Here

Spring training is officially underway.  There are 32 pitchers and six catchers currently in camp.  Additionally, several position players; including Justin Turner, Corey Seager and Joc Pederson, have also arrived ahead of their Tuesday reporting date.  In other news, Yasiel Puig is also at Camelback Ranch and he brought a little friend, per Doug Padilla at ESPN:

Yasiel Puig has arrived in Dodgers camp, bringing with him a baseball bat wrapped in barbed wire, housed in a wood box with "The Walking Dead" stamped on the outside. Spring training now has begun.

I suppose Puig is hoping to unleash his inner beast -- just like Negan.

Photo above of Dave Roberts first team meeting of Spring, via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2017.  Go here to check out more great pics from Jon SooHoo of the Dodgers first workout yesterday.  Below are more links to check out:

• Happy Birthday, Ed Brandt, Ike Boone, Rod Dedeaux (also the longtime USC Baseball manager), Ed Chandler & Roger Craig!
  

Blog Kiosk: 1/5/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Safe!

What a fantastic slide by Dodger second baseman and leadoff man Jim Gilliam.  As you can see in the above International News press photo dated September 16, 1954, Gilliam darted beneath a high throw to Reds catcher Andy Seminick to score a run.  (eBay Auction Link)

This game started out great.  The Dodgers were 4.5 games behind the Giants with just nine games left to play before the World Series.  So, the Dodgers needed to hustle if they wanted to find themselves playing in the Fall Classic.  Unfortunately, like this game, the Dodgers would fall far too short of that goal.  Gilliam's score in the first inning would give the team an early lead, but the Reds persevered to win the game, 9-3. 

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1998 it is announced that Dodgers hurler Don Sutton will be inducted into the Hall of Fame.  It was his fifth time on the ballot.
• Happy Birthday, Bob Caruthers, Dutch Jordan, Charlie Hough & Bill Dahlen!
  

Welcome to the Blue, Darin Ruf & Darnell Sweeney!

The Dodgers have made their second trade of the winter.  They sent infielder/outfielder Howie Kendrick to the Philadelphia Phillies for first baseman/outfielder Darin Ruf and minor league infielder/outfielder Darnell Sweeney. 

As you'll recall, word recently spread that Howie Kendrick was unhappy with his role this past season as a roving left fielder/second baseman -- even though only four other Dodgers' (Corey Seager, Adrian Gonzalez, Justin Turner and Chase Utley) had more at-bats than him.  Nevertheless, he wanted a more consistent position, and apparently the Phillies are able to abide.  BTW, Kendrick has a one-year contract remaining at $10 million.