Blog Kiosk: 5/30/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Rich Hill was dominant against the Cardinals yesterday afternoon. He went five strong innings, allowing just two hits, two walks and one earned run. Best yet, the Dodgers bullpen recorded four straight scoreless innings to help the Dodger win their fifth consecutive game. Per Scott Chasen and Joe Harris at MLB.com:

"Those guys did a heck of a job tonight with the bullpen," Hill said. "It's a reason why they're the best in baseball, so it's a lot of fun to see."

Per Rowan Kaver at Dodger Insider:

“I feel much more comfortable where I am now, getting my hand out of my glove, getting timing down,” Hill said. “It’s huge. You could see it today, it was much more crisp and clean and the ball was coming out much more efficiently.”

Pic above via SportsNet LA on twitter. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1946 Boston Braves outfielder Bama Rowell became the first player to hit the Bulova clock located above the right field scoreboard with a long drive at Ebbets Field.  His wallop shattered the clock face, causing glass to fall on the field and onto Dodger outfielder Dixie Walker. The event is said to have been the inspiration for a similar incident found in the book The Natural that was written by Brooklyn author Bernard Malamud. In 1962 Maury Wills becomes the 7th player in history to hit home runs from each side of the plate during a single game.  The feat was accomplished against the Mets during the first game of a doubleheader that afternoon.
• Happy Birthday, Jesse Whiting, Al Mamaux, Ed Rakow & Manny Ramirez!
  

Blog Kiosk: 3/17/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Spring Odds and Ends

During the old days ballplayers had to keep various side-gigs during the winter off-season.  Yogi Berra and Phil Rizzuto sold suits, John McGraw had a vaudeville show for a short time, and Waite Hoyt was a mortician.  Sometimes players spent their winter, especially if they were younger, going to school.  Proof of that is featured in the photo above.  It is a International News Photo taken by Hugh Broderick, dated Monday, October 11, 1947 of Ralph Branca getting back to the books less than a week after losing the 1947 World Series.  Per the descriptor on the reverse:

On the Mound for Fair Science
This studious young man engaged in a chemistry experiment in the laboratory of New York University is Ralph Branca.  Who, as pitcher for the Brooklyn Dodgers in the recent World Series against the New York Yankees, made his share of headlines.  Branca is a sophomore student at the university, majoring in physical education.

The above photo recently sold at RMY's auction (link here). Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1946 the Dodgers and Montreal Royals (with Jackie Robinson in the lineup for the first time) played a spring training game in Daytona Beach.  This marked the first appearance of an integrated club in organization baseball that century.  Four decades later they would rename the field in Daytona Jackie Robinson Ballpark.  In 1955 the Brooklyn Dodgers traded pitcher Erv Palica to the Orioles for infielder Frank Kellert.
• Happy Birthday, Whitey Ock, "Pistol" Pete Reiser & Bill Mueller!
  

Blog Kiosk: 11/14/2016 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

This past Friday on Veterans Day the Dodgers hosted a 300+ contingent of American military personnel and veterans for an afternoon of batting practice, food and tours at Dodger Stadium.  Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"The Dodgers want to honor the men and women that serve our country, and not just the service people, but their family and loved ones," said Naomi Rodriguez, Dodgers vice president of external affairs.
"We want them to come here and have a great time, have a Dodger Dog. I mean, it's everyone's fantasy to hit a ball at Dodger Stadium. So we give them that opportunity to walk to home plate and take batting practice and have a great time."

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

• Happy Birthday, Jim Brewer!

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.

2015 Bowman Chrome Baseball - All the Dodger Insert Cards

As promised, here are pics of all of the Dodger insert cards that are available in packs of 2015 Bowman Chrome Baseball.  Go here to see all of my previous post on this set.

As you can see, it is filled with a whole bunch of prospect cards and autographs.  Of note, both Darnell Sweeney and Hector Olivera have Dodger cards in this set.  As you know, they were both traded recently (Sweeney to Philadelphia and Olivera to Atlanta), so Topps was unable to include them on their new teams in time for this release.

Chrome Prospect Autographs

#BCAP-CBE Cody Bellinger               #BCAP-DS Darnell Sweeney

Blog Kiosk: 8/20/2015 - Dodger Links - Puig, Zaidi and Rollins

Jimmy Rollins seems happy to have his former teammate in LA.  Watch what he said about it in the clubhouse yesterday from SportsNet LA, here.  Photo above from @SportsNetLA on twitter.  Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Rollins likes idea of reunion with Utley."

"I think it would be a lot of fun," Rollins said. "One, he loved this team, went to school at UCLA, plays well at Dodger Stadium, actually beats up the Dodgers. If everything goes through and he's here, it would be nice to see him play home games in a place he's comfortable playing.

"He can add a lot. Hopefully, No. 1 first and foremost, if he's healthy and in a good place. That being the case, the way he's swung the bat, the way he's been playing, we can use it, anybody can. He's a tough guy. More than anything, there will be some new excitement in the clubhouse. He'll have the chance to play meaningful baseball late in the year. It's what we all want."

Below are some links to check out:

• ICYMI:  The two Dodger prospects sent to Philadelp[hia as a part of the Chase Utley trade are infielder/outfielder Darnell Sweeney and minor league pitcher John Richy.  Per a Dodger press release:

Sweeney was hitting .271 with nine homers, 30 doubles, 32 stolen bases and 49 RBI in 116 games this year for Triple-A Oklahoma City this season. The 24-year-old was the Dodgers’ 13th-round selection out of the University of Central Florida in 2012.

Richy, the Dodgers’ third-round draft selection out of UNLV in 2014, was 10-5 with a 4.20 ERA in 22 games (18 starts) for Single-A Rancho Cucamonga this season. The right-hander pitched for Rookie-level Ogden and Single-A Great Lakes in 2014.  

• BTW, to make room for Utley on the Dodgers roster they have DFA's Alberto Callaspo, via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider.
• Jon also shares a whole bunch of quotes from Dodger GM Farhan Zaidi about the trade and the "State of the Dodgers," here.

•  On why they targeted Utley: “It’s everything. Beyond the numbers, he’s always been a very good defensive second baseman … he’s shown that range (since he came back from the disabled list). His quality of at-bats has been near the top of the league. We made it a point to stack our lineup with players who have quality at-bats. He’s always hit well at Dodger Stadium.

• “I think we have all the elements of a really good team. We got out of the gates really strong, and we’ve had stretches in other parts of the season where we did certain things well and struggled in other areas. I think we still have talent to bookend our season with a stretch … where we’re firing on all cylinders. We think we have the ingredients of a really good team, and it’s going to come down to execution.”

• Via Mark Saxon at ESPN, "Yasiel Puig has mild hamstring strain."  He should be ready to go on Friday.

"It was pretty good news today, it feels like," Mattingly said. "This is way less than last time, it seems like. At this point, he's calling it, 'very mild,' and the MRI is not showing a whole lot and Yasiel looks good."

• Panini has released some more preview pic for their upcoming 2015 Immaculate Baseball set; including the Yasiel Puig jumbo relic card on the right.  Go here to check out a bunch of great pics.

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Blog Kiosk: 7/2/2015 - Dodger Links - Some Odds and Ends

Say what you will about our controversial outfielder, but one thing remains clear.  Yasiel Puig is beloved by the younger set.  Kid adore him, and it's quite clear to me that he loves them back. 

Photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2015 from yesterday's game.  Below are some links to check out:

• GCRL compares the similarities and differences between the Dodger base cards found in packs and in the factory sets.  Notably, AJ Ellis has two different base cards this year.
• Craig Calcaterra at Hardball Talk writes a fair and balanced story on Molly Knight's book about the Dodgers, here.

I hope those distinctions are clear, despite my rah-rahing for Yasiel Puig. I hope that we can agree that we do not have to consider Puig the same way his teammates or the press does, as we are the audience for his baseball entertainment, not people who share close quarters with him. Put differently, I hope we are totally capable of thinking that Puig is amazing and fun in some aspects (i.e. when he takes the field) even if he is less so in others.

• Via Mark Saxon at ESPN, "Don Mattingly says clubhouse is 'solid' despite Yasiel Puig revelations."

“It was just different stuff we had talked about and it was them presenting information to him,” Mattingly said. “I saw on [MLB Network] them talking about it like it was an on-going thing. It’s not an on-going thing. The clubhouse is solid.”

• Via Alex Espinosa at MiLB,com, "Cal notes: Quakes' Bird sticking to stretch."

"It's a little unusual," Bird said. "But I get the velocity because I'm not going to the plate quick. I'm getting my leg up high and everything is in line. I'm more direct. There's not a lot of wasted energy. It's similar to a reliever, or a closer … because from the windup, I would kind of get my direction off and lose my balance at the top of my leg kick. Going to the stretch, that's kind of been eliminated."

• Via MiLB.com, "Four OKC Dodgers Named to Triple-A All-Star Game: Barnes, Buchter, Seager, and Sweeney heading to Omaha
• This is an important read.  From former King winger Rich Clune at The Players Tribune, "The Battle."  He writes about his struggle with drug and alcohol abuse while a player.

I don’t care how many times you have messed up, or been arrested, or made your family cry. I don’t care how many times you told your teammates, “That’s it, man. I’m done.” Until you are really ready to get help, nobody can say anything to change it.

...
Between the ages of 15-24, I was not here. I was checked out. I did not exist. Rich Clune the pro hockey player existed. He got in over 150 fights and drove drunk and chased women and laughed and cried and lived in oblivion. But Rich Clune, the kid who loved art and film and read books and thought deeply about life, that guy was just not around. He couldn’t cope with the pressure.

• Here's a look at the July issue of Dodger Insider magazine below; featuring Don Drysdale and Zack Greinke on the cover.  Jon Weisman has all the juicy details hidden inside here.
  

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Dodgers Notes from Spring Training: Spring Game 15 / Road 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.

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

Los Angeles Dodgers (8-2-4) vs. Texas Rangers (7-6-1)
Tuesday, March 17, 2015 – 1:05 p.m. MT | Surprise Recreation Campus

LHP Hyun-Jin Ryu (0-0, 0.00) vs. RHP Yovani Gallardo (0-0, 21.60)   
TV: SNLA Radio: None

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

(St. Patrick's Day 1998, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers)

POT OF GOLD: The Dodgers, who have the Cactus League’s best winning percentage at .800, travel to Surprise to take on the Rangers in the first of four exhibition contests between the clubs this spring. The teams will match up again this weekend as their split-squads travel to San Antonio for a two-game series and will also meet on March 29 in Glendale. The clubs will play four regular-season games in 2015, June 15-16 in Arlington and June 17-18 at Dodger Stadium, marking their first games against each other since 2009 and the Rangers’ first visit to Los Angeles since 2001. The Dodgers will don green caps in today’s game in honor of St. Patrick’s Day!

• Yesterday, the Dodgers optioned pitchers Zach Lee, Chris Reed, Mike Bolsinger, Joe Wieland and Carlos Frias along with catcher Austin Barnes and reassigned infielders O’Koyea Dickson and Erisbel Arruebarrena to minor league camp. Including Brandon Beachy and Chris Withrow, who are on the 60-day disabled list, the Dodgers have 50 players remaining in big league camp.

NO LUCK OF THE IRISH NEEDED: The Dodgers erupted for three home runs, including a pinch-hit grand slam by Darnell Sweeney, during an eight-run eighth inning yesterday to down the A’s, 10-5, at Camelback Ranch for their third consecutive win. Scott Schebler and Chris Heisey also homered during the eighth-inning rally, and Darwin Barney had a game-high three hits, going 3-for-3 with an RBI. Zack Greinke made his second start of the spring, allowing just one hit – a solo home run by Josh Phegley – in 3.0 innings in a no-decision.

TEXAS TWO-STEP: The countdown is on to Big League Weekend, with the Dodgers taking on the Rangers Friday night and Saturday afternoon at the Alamodome in San Antonio! Erik Bedard and Zack Greinke are expected to start the two San Antonio exhibition games for the Dodgers, with a roster that includes Yasmani Grandal, Adrian Gonzalez, Yasiel Puig, and Joc Pederson.

MAKING JACKIE PROUD: Major League Baseball announced yesterday that the Dodgers will play host to the Seattle Mariners at Dodger Stadium in the 2015 Civil Rights Game on Jackie Robinson Day, Wednesday, April 15.  It will mark the first time that Baseball’s tribute to civil rights leaders and figures will be held in conjunction with its annual commemoration of Hall of Famer Jackie Robinson breaking Baseball’s color barrier on April 15, 1947. The Civil Rights Game was developed by MLB to pay tribute to the spirit of the civil rights movement and to honor those who embodied the struggle for equal rights for all Americans. This is the first Civil Rights Game hosted by the Dodgers and second one they have played in (2012), while this will be the first overall for the Mariners.

(Hyun-Jin Ryu, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2015)

ON THE MOUND: Left-hander Hyun-Jin Ryu will make his second start of the spring today after striking out two in 2.0 hitless, scoreless innings on Thursday at San Diego. Ryu, who has never faced the Rangers, has struggled against American League opponents during the course of his career, going 3-3 with a 4.72 ERA (25 ER/47.2 IP) in eight starts.

• LHP Paco Rodriguez is expected to make his fourth appearance of the spring today, last pitching on Saturday against the Indians. Rodriguez has yet to allow a run and has struck out five in 3.0 innings this spring.
• LHP J.P Howell is also expected to see action today after firing a scoreless inning on Saturday against the Indians.
• RHP Juan Nicasio will make his fourth Cactus League appearance today after tossing a scoreless inning of relief in Friday’s tie with the Reds.
• RHP David Aardsma will also make his fourth appearance of the spring today, last pitching on Saturday against the Indians. Aardsma has allowed just one hit in 3.0 scoreless innings this spring.
• RHP Pedro Baez, who last pitched on Saturday against the Indians, has allowed just one hit in 3.0 innings this spring.
• Los Angeles pitching has been terrific so far this spring, as the club has combined to post a 3.02 ERA and limit opposing hitters to a .209 batting average, striking out 98 and walking just 32 in 125.0 innings.

THE HOME OF THE DODGERS: Yesterday, iHeartMedia Los Angeles and the Dodgers announced the debut of the all-new AM 570 LA Sports.. The new baseball season will bring a new name, a new look, a re-brand, a re-launch and a new co-ownership with the Dodgers to the station formerly known as KLAC. AM 570 LA Sports will be under the co-ownership of iHeartMedia Los Angeles and the Dodgers, will have a new logo and will also incorporate the new 2015 Dodgers slogan “We Love LA.”  Another new addition, Dodger Talk featuring David Vassegh and Kevin Kennedy, will now air immediately following Dodgers baseball games or at 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

(Retired #'s added to Club Level at Dodger Stadium, pic via @DodgerInsider on twitter)

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Dodgers Notes from Spring Training: Spring Game 12 / Home Game 6

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.

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

Cleveland Indians (5-6-1)  at Los Angeles (5-2-4)
Saturday, March 14, 2015 – 1:05 p.m. MT | Camelback Ranch - Glendale

LHP Bruce Chen (1-0, 3.60) vs. LHP Brett Anderson (0-0, 0.00)
TV: SNLA Radio: KLAC/KTNQ

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

(Dodger fans, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2015)

CAMELBACK ROCKS: The Dodgers and Indians meet for the second of three games this spring in a sold-out contest at Camelback Ranch – Glendale. Los Angeles and Cleveland also square for the final time during the Cactus League slate on March 22, a contest also at Camelback Ranch.

• Last night, the Dodgers’ played to their fourth tie (the club’s first tie was against the Indians on March 7) this spring, 3-3, moving their record to 5-2-4 this spring. With 21 Cactus League games left, the club is one tie short of equaling the franchise mark for ties in a spring season, established in 2006 and matched last year. Once again, the Dodgers came from behind to equal the score, as Corey Seager’s sacrifice play plated Darnell Sweeny in the bottom of the ninth last night. Outfielder Joc Pederson went 2—for-2 and his Cactus League average now stands at .421. On the mound, right-hander Chris Hatcher stayed perfect this spring, tossing  a scoreless frame, while Juan Nicasio (1.0 IP), Daniel Coulombe (1.0) and Yimi Garcia (1.0) all tossed scoreless baseball.  

MAN, THAT’S BRISK: Through 11 Cactus League contests, the Dodgers’ average game time is two hours and 39 minutes, with the longest game being 2:53 on March 6 and the shortest being last night’s 2:18 no-nonsense affair. The club has also played three of its 11 contests at the exact game time of 2:46.

(Adrian Gonzalez stretches for the out, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2015)

RUN PREVENTION:  Los Angeles pitching has been terrific so far this spring as the club has combined to post a 3.12 ERA and limit opposing hitters to a .206 batting average, striking out 76 and walking just 21 in 98.0 innings. The 3.12 mark is tied with Philadelphia for third among NL clubs, trailing just Cincinnati (2.83) and Pittsburgh (3.09).

MINOR NEWS: Dodger minor leaguers held their first official workout of the spring this morning on the back fields at Camelback Ranch. The minor league portion of the Spring Training schedule gets underway for the Triple-A and Double-A rosters on March 20, while the two Single-A clubs have their opening games on March 22.

ON THE MOUND: 27-year-old left-hander Brett Anderson will make his second start of the spring today after tossing two scoreless innings against the Giants. During the course of his career, he has posted a 1.29 WHIP and has limited opponents to a .316 on-base percentage and a .370 slugging percentage. In 2014, Anderson allowed only one home run in 43.1 innings of work.

• Veteran RHP David Aardsma is expected to make his third appearance of the spring today after pitching a scoreless inning of relief in the Dodgers’ tie against the Rockies on Tuesday. The former first round draft pick has averaged nearly a strikeout per inning during the course of his career with 305 strikeouts against only 169 walks in 306.1 innings.
• LHP J.P. Howell will make his second appearance of the spring today after giving up two runs and striking out one in an inning of relief in a 7-4 win over the Mariners. Howell enters his third season with the Dodgers after tying for the club lead with 68 appearances and setting a career-best mark with a .183 opponents’ batting average in 2014.
• Hard-throwing LHP Paco Rodriguez is also expected to see action today after striking out the side in a scoreless inning of relief against the Rockies on Tuesday. The 23-year-old Miami native tossed scoreless relief in 15 of 19 big league appearances, going 1-0 with a 3.86 ERA in 2014.
• RHP Dustin McGowan is expected to appear in today’s game, after pitching an inning of relief in his second appearance of the spring on Tuesday against the Rockies. After joining the Toronto bullpen in 2014, the 10-year veteran went 3-1 with a 3.35 ERA (16 ER/43.0 IP) in 45 games, while limiting opponents to a .215 average and a .284 on-base percentage.
• RHP Pedro Baez will make his third appearance of the spring today after tossing a scoreless inning of relief in Tuesday’s 2-2 tie with the Rockies. Baez posted a 2.63 ERA and limited opponents to a .188 batting average in 20 relief appearances in four stints with the Dodgers in his first MLB action last year.
• Veteran RHP Mike Adams will make his first appearance of the spring today. In 2014, Adams posted a 2-1 record in 22 relief appearances for the Phillies, with a 2.89 ERA (6 ER/18.2 IP) and limited opposing batters to a .232 average.

IN MEMORY: The Dodgers join the rest of the Los Angeles sports world in mourning the passing of longtime sports talk radio host Joe McDonnell at the age of 58. The club wishes to pass along its deepest condolences to McDonnell’s family and to all those in the Southern California sports community who lost a colleague and friend. Dodger EVP and Chief Marketing Officer Lon Rosen said, “Joe was all about sports and loved the Dodgers. He was a fixture at Dodger Stadium and will be terribly missed by players, management and fans.”

(Dodger fans, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2015)

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The 10 Best Dodgers' Cards of 2014

With the 2014 collecting season officially at a close I figured it was time to share my picks for "The 10 Best Dodgers' Cards of 2014." This is the third consecutive year I've put together this list.  Go here to check out my past two "10 Best" list: 2013 & 2012.

There were 50 different card sets to go through, so I had a heck of a time narrowing my picks down to just ten cards.  No doubt I missed some of your favorites.  This time I tried to just focus on only base cards or inexpensive inserts, and I stayed far away from autographs and relic cards (save the "Honorable Mentions" at the very bottom).

Take a look at my choices below, and let me know if you agree.  Better yet, what would be your picks?  Click on any pic to embiggen.

#10

There is no better way to start this list than with Topps 2014 Opening Day set and the "Superstar Celebrations" insert card of Yasiel Puig sliding into home.  This card immortalizes Puig's very first walk-off hit (a home run) in a game against the Cincinnati Reds on July 28, 2013.  The score was 0-0 in the bottom of the 11th inning and right-hander Curtis Partch was on the mound.  On an 0-1 count with the bases empty Puig unloaded, flipped his bat and slid into home to put an exclamation point on his endeavors.  Watch a video of the event here.  Go here to check out all of the other Dodger cards in this set.

2014 Topps Opening Day

#SC-25 Yasiel Puig

#9

Some of you might think I'm crazy for including this card, but I just couldn't help it.  The card is so goofy... So brilliantly ugly... So fantastically stupid... That I couldn't help but think of it as being so bad, it's awesome.  Featured here is Upper Deck's Goodwin Champions card of Ron Cey, "The Penguin" in a tuxedo.  Get it?  Go here to check out the other Dodger cards in this set.

2014 Upper Deck Goodwin Champions

#4 Ron Cey

Blog Kiosk: 1/16/2015 - Dodger Links - Puig the Gamer and Sweeney to the Next Level

Yasiel Puig has been tearing up the interwebs lately.  He's been posting up pics and videos on almost a daily basis on his instagram account, and the above vintage B&W is my favorite.  Yesterday, on #Throwback Thursday, he put up proof that he's been a gamer since he was a little tyke, and like many folks he started out with a Nintendo.

Below are some more links to check out:

• This is not great news for non-TW customers.  Via Bill Shaikin and Meg James at The LA Times, "Getting Dodgers' SportsNet LA to new viewers affected by media mergers."
• Via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider, "An energizing moment for the Dodgers."

But beyond that, the WDP (Winter Development Program) has also struck me as a major organizational retreat, a moment for the Dodgers’ new leadership to stamp its open-minded, thoughtful direction throughout the franchise.
...
“Some of it is a little new as far as what they’re really looking for, (but) when you hear Alex and you hear these guys talk about it and you get further in depth about the numbers, you start putting things together,” Dodger pitching prospect Zach Lee said. “I kind of had a little problem with last year, trying to get over some things mentally, when errors or things didn’t necessarily go the right way, rather than taking three or four pitches to reset, kind of resetting right away. And you realize that those things don’t really matter in the long run. Just continue to execute, continue to do things the way you’re taught to do, and things will work themselves out.”

• Via Marc Hulet at RotoGraphs, "Top 5 Prospects for 2015: Los Angeles Dodgers."
• Via Cary Osborne at Dodger Insider, "Dodger prospect Darnell Sweeney gets next-level training from Barry Larkin and Dee Gordon."

From Larkin, he said he’s learned the following:
“His thing is it’s definitely a physical game, but you need to exercise the mental part of it, too. You have to make sure you visualize yourself being successful. Make sure before the game you visualize what you have to do, and after the game you go through the game, play it back in your head (and think), ‘I could have done this better.’ ”

From Gordon:
“How he reads pitches. His jumps. (And) have fun. He’s one of those guys who always has a smile on his face. That’s what I always want to do is play the game right and have fun.”

• Via Dan Espstein at Just a Bit Outside, "Bloop Hits: Terry Forster's musical feast."  (Hat Tip: Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider - BTW, Jon provides a whole bunch of worthwhile links to check out).
• Per Jon Heyman on twitter, Chris Heisey and the Dodgers agree to a contract before arbitration.

Chris heisey, dodgers settle at $2.16M
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) January 16, 2015

• Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Bradley University names school for Steiner."
• Via Ben Marks at Collectors Weekly, "Flipping Out Over Handheld Movies, a Century Before Smartphones."  I must admit that I absolutely love flip books.

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Blog Kiosk: 1/2/2015 - Dodger Links - They are Confident in Anderson and Confident with the Current Rotation

It has been so cold.  So, when I saw the above photo on eBay the other day I certainly could sympathize.  It features four Brooklyn Dodgers huddled around a soon-to-be raging fire at their spring home in Daytona Beach.  The photo is dated 3/2/1946 and is from International News. Check out the auction here.  From the caption written on the reverse:

PITY POOR DODGERS IN BLEAK FLORIDA.  Daytona Beach, Fla.......It's all right for the fortunate people up North.  They can warm be shoveling snow.  But the poor Brooklyn Dodgers, who are spring training down in Daytona Beach have to light a fire to get the chill out of their bones.  Billy Herman is playing fireman here to get a blaze going for Vic Lombardi, Hal Gregg and Lew Riggs.  Cold weather caused postponement of practice called for yesterday."

Below are some links to check out:

• Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "With ultimate goal in reach, 10 questions for Dodgers."
• Via Mark Saxon at ESPNLosAngeles.com, "2014 highs and lows both involve Kershaw."
• Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Dodgers confident in Brett Anderson's health."

"He's a young guy. He was terrific when he pitched last year for Colorado. From a health standpoint, we feel very good about him being a regular guy from the start of the season on," Dodgers general manager Farhan Zaidi said on a conference call on Wednesday. "We're certainly hoping he stays healthy and takes the ball every fifth day."

• Via Bill Shaikin on twitter, Dodger GM Farhan Zaidi said they are not looking to add another frontline starting pitcher.

Zaidi: Bolsinger and Wieland are the extra pitchers to protect against injury to Anderson or others. No plans to pursue more.
— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) December 31, 2014

Zaidi: "Our focus on the SP side is going to be depth options." He won't say no Scherzer or Shields, but that's what he means.
— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) December 31, 2014

• Via Tim Brown at Yahoo Sports, "Dodgers exploring an intriguing gamble with Chin-hui Tsao."

A few days ago, the Los Angeles Times reported the Dodgers were “close” to signing Tsao to a minor-league deal and suggested the club had received clearance from MLB to do so. Both are true. The Dodgers contacted MLB prior to engaging with Tsao, a baseball source with knowledge of those conversations told Yahoo Sports. The league looked into the circumstances surrounding Tsao’s expulsion, found some “ambiguities” in the case, and cleared the way for the signing, the source said.

This much seems clear, ambiguities notwithstanding: A guy banned from playing baseball somewhere else (or, in this case, two somewhere elses) for at least entertaining the idea of throwing games probably should not be rewarded with a second chance here. Not with a major league club. Not on a minor-league deal. Not with MLB’s already very rigid stance on such activities, not with the flaming contradiction it would appear to be, not with the precedent it would set. (Rose, for one, might be inspired to launch another reality TV show, and nobody wants that.)

• Via Bernie Pleskoff at MLB.com, "Versatile infield prospect Sweeney impresses with speed."

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2014 Leaf Trinity - The Dodger Cards

Here is a look at Leaf's newest Baseball card set - 2014 Leaf Trinity.  This is a high-end brand that includes only 5-cards in a $100 box and every card available is autographed.  Go here to see a complete checklist.

Only two Dodger prospect are included in the set - Darnell Sweeney and Grant Holmes.  Check out all of their available cards below.

The below Trinity Signature cards are all inscribed, and from what I can tell there are three different inscriptions for each Dodger prospect. 

Trinity Signatures

#A-DS1 Darnell Sweeney

#A-GH1 Grant Holmes

Patch Autographs

#PA-DS1 Darnell Sweeney

#PA-GH1 Grant Holmes

Pure Autographs

#P-DS2 Darnell Sweeney

#P-GH1 Grant Holmes

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Blog Kiosk: 12/11/2014 - Dodger Links - Dee Gordon, Don Mattingly and AJ Ellis

Dee Gordon spent yesterday morning with some kids at Union Elementary School in Los Angeles.  Photo above via @LAFund on twitter.  The event gave Gordon an opportunity to discuss fitness and healthy eating with the students.  Via Erin Edwards at Dodger Insider,

Gordon began the class by leading the students in a brief fitness routine along with Dunaway and shared the warm-up exercises he uses before games. While Dunaway led a discussion on the importance of daily exercise and getting your basic food groups in each day, Gordon pulled up a chair and joined the class in eating breakfast.

Sadly, yesterdays public appearances within the community was Dee's last moments as a Dodger.  As reported by Roberto Baly on twitter, Dee received a phone call notifying him of the trade during his appearance and he has a photo to prove it.

Below are some links to check out:

• Via JP Hoornstra at Inside the Dodgers, "On Corey Seager and the Dodgers’ pursuit of a shortstop."

“We value positional versatility too. So guys that aren’t only shortstops can move around the infield and accommodate Seager a year from now or whatever, I think guys like that will be of value to us as well.”

• Craig Calcaterra at Hardball Talk ranks, "Baseball’s Most Handsome Managers: 2015 Update." Check out where Don Mattingly fit on the list.
• Via Teddy Cahill at MLB.com, "Fall League names 22 to Top Prospects Team" and three Dodger prospects made the list - Scott Schebler, Corey Seager and Darnell Sweeney.
• Via Mark Saxon at ESPN, "Don Mattingly rolling with the changes."

“It’s a situation where we’ve got to continue to get better, continue to get younger,” Mattingly said. “The club was built in a way that was thrown together, which is exactly what the owners said they wanted to do, to put the club together to win now, not wait five years and let the kids develop. The club was built with that in mind. But once you get to that part, you go through the process and you’ve got to move to the next step. We know we have to be able to do it year in and year out, and that’s sustaining it with youth.” 

• Via Jeff Sullivan at FanGraphs, "Marlins Pay Steep Price to Not Get Better."

I’m not sure if this is the worst move of the offseason. If it is, I’m not sure if this will remain the worst move of the offseason. But my later response continues to match my initial response: Andrew Friedman and the Dodgers are making out like bandits, successfully selling Dee Gordon about as high as possible. The Dodgers are losing a probable regression candidate, about to enter his Super-Two seasons. They’re getting probably the Marlins’ best prospect, and then even more to boot. The Dodgers picked up some more long-term assets. The Marlins might not have gotten better at all.

• Via Carson Cistulli  at InstaGraphs, "Austin Barnes Is the Jewel of This Trade by the Projections."
• The Cubs appear to be going places.  As you know, they are reported to be the winners in the Jon Lester sweepstakes and now we are reminded of this.  Via Mike Oz at Big League Stew, "Reminder: The Cubs won the 2015 World Series in 'Back to the Future 2'.  NO WAY!  They actually have the pieces to make this really happen.
• AJ Ellis is sad to hear the news that Dee Gordon has been traded, via his twitter:

RT"@Cindyluellis: I don't know how to break the news 😢. We are sad @FlashGJr pic.twitter.com/PkcXPcBmyC”  Great man, teammate & role model.
— AJ Ellis (@AJEllis17) December 11, 2014

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2014 Leaf Valiant Baseball - All the Dodger Cards

Here's another prospect based Baseball card set to wet your whistle.  Last week Leaf released their 2014 Valiant Baseball card set and a couple of Dodger prospects are available in it.  Go here for a complete checklist.

This set features colorful and shiny autographed-only cards of some of the best and most promising prospects in the Minors.  Available Dodgers include 2014 1st round draft pick Grant Holmes and promising infielder Darnell Sweeney.  There are also vintage 'buyback' Leaf cards that have been autographed and numbered to the players uniform number.  So far, I am only aware of the 1992 & 1991 Leaf Darryl Strawberry cards being available, but there may be more (a checklist has not been provided by Leaf).

Base Autographs

#BA-DS2 Darnell Sweeney                    #BA-GH1 Grant Holmes

Out of this World Autographs

#OW-GH1 Grant Holmes SSP

BTW, although Strawberry wore #44 as a Dodger he signed only 18 of these cards for this set.  The #18 was the uniform number he wore during his eight years as a New York Met.

Leaf Memories Buybacks

1991 Leaf Darryl Strawberry (#/18)        1992 Leaf Darryl Strawberry (#/18)

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Blog Kiosk: 11/18/2014 - Dodger Links - Zaidi, Sweeney and Kershaw's Commemorative MVP T-shirts

As evidenced in the photo above, Yasiel Puig and Carlos Santana are becoming best bud.  They appear to be purchasing friendship bracelts for each other.  Photo abouve was tweeted by Carlos Santana.

Below are some links to check out:

• Via Yvonne Carrasco at Dodger Insider, "Fernandomania is alive and well in Guadalajara."

“This statue looks like me, looks like how I pitched,” Valenzuela said. “I feel very happy that this statue, that my first one is here. I feel a lot of emotion, a lot of love from the people here. This moment has given me goosebumps.

• Via Mark Saxon at ESPN, "Is 'Phase Two' all about payroll reduction?"

“It sounds overly simplistic, but we’re just going to try to make good baseball decisions,” Zaidi said. “Sometimes, those good baseball decisions are going to increase our payroll, sometimes they’re going to decrease our payroll and I think over time it will come down because that’s what the accumulation of smart baseball moves will just do to the roster.

• Via David Waldstein at the NY Times, "For Dodgers G.M. Farhan Zaidi, New Team Affords New Possibilities."

“It’s a recalibration,” he said, “but it’s also an exercise in not throwing the baby out with the bath water. It’s about applying the principals we practiced in the smaller markets while leveraging greater resources.”

• Via Mark Whicker at the LA Daily News, "Los Angeles Dodgers prospect Darnell Sweeney just looking to fit in."
• Here's an opportunity to learn a little bit about our new AAA affiliate Oklahoma City RedHawks.  Via Paul Caputo at SportsLogos.net, "Birds of Play: The Story Behind the Oklahoma City RedHawks."
• Roberto at Vin Scully is My Homeboy shares his very rare Vin Scully Bobblehead that was given out to just friends and family.
• The Dodgers added some depth to the outfield position in AAA.  Via Alden Gonzalez at MLB.com, "Dodgers acquire Minor League slugger Jensen from Marlins."
• Check out Kershaw's new t-shirt, in benefit of Kershaw's Challenge.

Pre-order a MVP tshirt today! Super soft, one-of-a-kind shirt commemorative of 2014 season!  http://t.co/TO5urbUYs1 pic.twitter.com/Jt4LpNpNFd
— Kershaw's Challenge (@KershsChallenge) November 17, 2014

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Blog Kiosk: 11/12/2014 - Dodger Links - Confidence in AJ Ellis

Yasiel Puig sure seems to be enjoyinh himself in Japan.  He is adapting himself to the culture quite well.  Pic above via @DodgersPR on twitter. 

Below are some links to check out:

• The 2015 Spring Training schedule has just been released.  Check out Jon Weisman's post at Dodger Insider for details, here.  The first game is on March 4th and Cactus League play ends on April 1st. 
• Via David Hood at True Blue LA, "Andrew Friedman & the minor leagues."

For their perceived shortcomings in drafting and development, the previous regime has left Friedman with a pretty solid base of young, controllable talent, at least at the top. Given the successes Friedman has had with such talent, and empowered with superior resources to augment this base, it should be worth watching how true he stays to the trends he developed in Tampa Bay.

• Night Owl Cards shares his 1955 copy of Baseball Digest with Don Newcombe on the cover.
• Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "New Dodgers GM Zaidi gives Ellis vote of confidence."

"He's a leader on the team," Zaidi said of Ellis. "He has a relationship with the pitching staff, and we are very mindful of that. Part of this process is to understand the dynamics of the relationships, and he's a big part of the team and the preparation and comfort level of the pitchers."

• Via Nick Diunte at Examiner.com, former Brooklyn Dodgers "Wayne Terwilliger recounts entering the Battle of Saipan in World War II."

“As soon as we got over the reef,” he said, “we were in range of the Japanese, and they started shooting. I started seeing these puffs of water all around us, and it took a second to realize what was causing them. Then we heard small arms fire hitting our tank, and the reality sank in: There were people on that island who wanted us dead.”

• Via William Boor at MLB.com, "Dodgers' Sweeney drives in five to lead Desert Dogs."
• Via Drake Witham at TWC SportsNet LA, "Kershaw stacks up well with those who swept the MVP and Cy Young awards."
• As much as I hate the current situation regarding the Slava Voynov suspension (LA Kings defenseman) for suspicion of domestic violence, I agree with my friend Bobby Scribe at Surly & Scribe, "Dean Lombardi Needs to Sack Up – Slava Should Remain Suspended and No Cap Relief Should be Awarded."

In short, I hold the very unpopular (but objective) opinion that Dean Lombardi can complain all he wants but until the PD and DA confirm they are done and no charges are being filed, Slava should remain suspended and the franchise should bear the consequences of its player’s actions.

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2014 Leaf Metal Draft Baseball - All the Dodger Cards

After going through the entire 2014 Baseball season Leaf finally puts out a set Dodger collectors would be interested in.  Earlier this month they released their 2014 Leaf Metal Draft Baseball set, and it includes a couple of the Dodgers brightest young prospects.  Go here to see an entire checklist.

From what I can tell, only two Dodgers made the cut for Leaf.  They are Darnell Sweeney and Grant Holmes.  As you may know, Sweeney was the Dodgers 13th round pick in 2012, and has been very impressive.  Right now the infielder is playing the AFL and is hitting the cover off the ball.  BTW, the Darnell Sweeney card is his very first to be found in packs of cards.  Grant Holmes was the Dodgers 1st round pick in 2014 and recently completed his first year of professional Baseball.  He appeared to struggle a bit when he advanced from the AZL Dodgers to the Ogden Raptors, but continued striking out batters at a healthy clip.  Overall, Holmes pitched 48.1 innings, struck out 58 batters and had a 1.076 WHIP. 

Check out their cards below. As always there are numerous parallel cards available.  Here is a listing: Silver Prismatic, Blue Prismatic #/50 or less, Purple Prismatic #/25 or less, Green Prismatic #/10 or less, Red Prismatic #/5 or less, Gold Prismatic 1/1.

Base Autograph Cards

BA-DS2 Darnell Sweeney                    BA-GH1 Grant Holmes

Also available in packs are Leaf are 'Buyback' cards featuring autographs of several former Dodgers.  Check them out below.  Unfortunately, a complete checklist of available 'Buybacks' has not yet been made available by Leaf, so the listing below may not be complete.  If you are aware of more please let me know.

Leaf Memories Buyback Autographs

 1991 Leaf - John Candelaria (#/45)               1992 Leaf - Roger McDowell (#/13)

BTW, I recently won a Holmes and Candelaria cards on eBay.  So, I'll be sharing those soon.  And I'm eager to add the McDowell since he'd be so fun to write about.  He might be the biggest goofball to ever put on a Dodger uniform.

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